“You, beloved, are the light of the world…Let your light shine!” 

Recently, we’ve talked a fair amount about the manner in which light and darkness are used as metaphors and images in scripture and in our culture. We’ve challenged ourselves to reevaluate those uses—especially the ways we equate darkness with evil. 

That project is good, right, and necessary. But that doesn’t mean we have to abandon ‘light’ images altogether! Doing so would mean the loss of some of our most cherished teachings from Jesus—including in our gospel text this week. 

The good news is we don’t have to choose one or the other. We can both be moved by Jesus soaring rhetoric of light held high, and be mindful of and intentional about how we utilize ‘darkness.’ 

All month long we are leaning into what we can learn from, and in, the dark. The glorious song, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” will guide us on the way. Its three verses invite us into praise, lament, and prayer as we confess sins and work to repair all that racism, biases, and discrimination have broken. In other words, this month “Lift Every Voice and Sing” will help bring us closer to being the beloved community Christ calls us to be. 

(Click here to read more about the history of this incredible hymn. Did you know the denomination offers such articles??) 

Where did this hymn come from?
Why has its popularity lasted for over 100 years?
What experiences inform its message?
How might this song help us be the salt and light for the world as Jesus talks about? 

Pastor Dave will explore those questions and more this Sunday, January 15th, in his sermon, “Lift Every Voice in Praise.”

Worship with us Sunday at 10:00am in person or online via our Woodridge UMC YouTube Channel. All are welcome!