Moving Upward Together Days 22 and 23

 

Day 22, Choir Loft – Judy Richardson 

“I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the peoples: I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens; Your faithfulness extends to the clouds” (Psalm 57:9-10.) 

There is nothing like the thrill of worshiping God by singing from our choir loft. I heard the choir sing during Christmas 2015. I was hooked and couldn’t imagine anything more enjoyable than joining my alto in support of the wonderfully talented singers. There was an all-call for choir members before the new season started in 2016 and they had me. 

As we sing praises to God, it is important to appreciate the words and share them with the congregation. It is a challenge to appreciate the words when the melodies are particularly complex or the words sung rapidly. I am glad we are not singing rap music. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to worship God from our choir loft. As the congregation sees us, we enjoy them. Their smiles and applause help us feel appreciated and loved and work even harder to give a good performance. Over the years, a railing has been installed due to concerns for our safety on the choir steps. It is just one of the many ways we feel the love and appreciation of St. Mark as we sing our praises to God. 

“Gracious God, we give you thanks for the gift of our voices. Help us to make joyful noises and to live in harmony as we worship you. Amen.”

Day 23, Rise Against Hunger – Pastor MP 

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me" (Matthew 25:35.) 

There is so much that is wonderful and holy about coming together to feed the hungry. When we break bread—whether in a meal shared with loved ones or in the work of preparing food for others—we participate in God’s love made visible. At St. Mark Presbyterian Church, our Rise Against Hunger event is one of those holy moments.   

Hands young and old measure rice and grains, seal bags, and stack boxes that will travel across the world to nourish those in need. It is a beautiful picture of what God’s kingdom looks like—scout troops, preschool families, members of our congregation, and neighbors from the Claymont neighborhood all working side by side. Each scoop, each seal, each box packed is an act of love, a tangible response to Jesus’ call to care for the least of these.   It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer need in our world. Hunger is vast, and poverty is deep. But in this moment, in this place, we remember: God does not ask us to solve everything—only to do what we can, with what we have, where we are. 

When we serve together, we become part of something bigger than ourselves, a ripple of kindness that extends farther than we can imagine. In John 21:17, Jesus tells Peter, “Feed my sheep.” It is not just a request—it is a command, a calling. Feeding the hungry is not just about food; it is about seeing the humanity in another, recognizing the image of God in those we might never meet.   Let us remember that this work is not just about filling stomachs, but about filling hearts—ours included. This is a feast of grace, a celebration of what happens when God’s people come together with open hands and willing hearts.   

“God of abundance, thank you for the opportunity to serve. Open our eyes to those in need and our hearts to the ways we can help. Bless the hands that prepare, pack, and send this food, and bless those who will receive it. May this work be a reflection of Your love and a glimpse of Your kingdom. Amen.”