By The Rev. Shannon Mullen
The 200th Anniversary Assembly of the South Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, held in Charleson, began with worship. The assembly was opened, the congregation was gathered, and the presence of God was there as the worship team processed into the ballroom of the Charleston Area Convention Center to a stirring rendition of We are Marching in the Light of God.
This opening hymn was led by The Voices of Deliverance, a Gospel/Spiritual singing group from Charleston, under the direction of Howard N. Brown, Sr. Their tight Gospel harmony and percussive accompaniment lifted the spirits of all in the room as all in worship were filled with the joy of the Spirit.
This opening song proved to be only the first course of the of the feast which was to come, as South Carolina Synod Bishop Ginny Aebischer declared the Assembly open and the choir offered a joyful and heart felt rendition of Holy Spirit You’re Welcome in this Place. We give thanks to God for this choir as their worship leadership was for many, as overheard later in the day, “my absolute favorite part of worship.”
Worship was co-led by Assembly Chaplains Arden Hallman and Colin Kerr, with Bishop Aebischer preaching and presiding. In addition to readings from Isaiah and Philippians, the Synod heard the Good News of God’s love in Christ through a reading from Matthew 6, which was the focus of the sermon.
Bishop Ginny offered in her preaching words of wisdom and comfort. From Jesus’ words in Matthew, she reminded us that Christ exhorts us not to worry, to take courage from seeing God at work in the world, in the birds of the air, the lilies of the field, in the living things which God has created. She reminded the congregation that 200 years of ministry bear witness to God’s continual sustaining, guiding, and inspiring of the congregations of our Synod. She concluded with a call to be recommitted to building community, exhorting the whole gathering to “Sow Love.”
During the gathering of the offering, the congregation was treated again to powerful musical and spiritual renewal as The Voices of Deliverance led and gathered all into singing This Little Light of Mine and Down by the Riverside. In addition, Stephanie Burke, the ELCA Foundation’s Regional Gift Planner for the Carolinas, shared her artistic gifts by painting a portrait of Jesus in front of the assembly during the offering. The depth of compassion and love captured in the eyes of her portrait of our savior was astounding. Also overheard, “I can’t believe how she paints with paintbrushes in both hands!”
Worship concluded as worshipers gathered at the table of our Lord Christ to receive in, with, and under gifts of bread and wine the assurance and renewal of God’s promise to love, forgive, and renew. From opening to closing, this service of worship was a spirit-filled beginning for a 200th anniversary assembly celebrating Our Heritage, Our Hope.
