by Victoria Heinecke

Sharing a living sacrifice.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
Hebrews 13:16 English Standard Version (ESV)

Recently there was an event in downtown Colorado Springs called Beers and Hymns. Hymnals and song sheets were passed out, the attendees chose their favorite hymns, and the group led the sing along based on the requests. Over one hundred people came, filling the inside of the meeting house and the tables on the surrounding sidewalks.

Most of the people in attendance had never met one another before, but this ad hoc choir jumped in and sang the hymn whose number was called. Not all of the hymns were familiar to everyone, but we followed along as best as we could.

At one part of the evening there was a roll call, where attendees could call out the name of the church they attended. Over a dozen different churches were mentioned, and a couple of people mentioned they were unchurched.

We then sang “This Little Gospel Light of Mine,” a Christian children’s song with the refrain, “I’m gonna let it shine.” Like children, many of us raised our fingers to represent little candles of light. The singing could be heard up and down the street!

“We hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”
Acts 2:11b ESV 

Sharing music had brought people together to sing songs of God’s love for us.

In the second chapter of Acts, the festival of Pentecost brought people from many nations to Jerusalem, where they witnessed a miracle: the Holy Spirit opened the hearts and ears of the people, and they heard Simon Peter talking to the assembly in their own language.

One speaker, many languages. One song, many singers.

Many gifts, one Spirit.

“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 15:5-6 ESV

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado