Have
you taken a gander at the church calendar for October? You probably noticed a
theme among the guest preachers and Adult Forum topics. As part of our
sabbatical journey, we’re doing a deep dive into racial reconciliation– not
only what it is, but what it means for us here at St. Andrew’s. In honor of
that, I chose a choir anthem for the second Sunday in October called “I Choose
Love.” This anthem was written in memory of the victims of the 2015 mass
shooting at Emanuel AME Church, Charleston, by a white supremacist during the
church’s weekday Bible study. Lindy Thompson, the lyricist (who is white), and
Mark Miller, the composer (who is black), wrote the song while reflecting on
this tragedy and where it leaves us as people of faith.
I Choose Love
In the midst of pain,
I choose love.
In the midst of pain,
I choose love.
In the midst of pain,
sorrow falling down like rain,
I await the sun again,
I choose love.
In the midst of war, I
choose peace.
In the midst of war, I
choose peace.
In the midst of war,
hate and anger keeping score,
I will seek the good
once more, I choose peace.
When my world falls
down, I will rise.
When my world falls
down, I will rise.
When my world falls
down, explanations can’t be found,
I will climb to holy
ground, I will rise.
In the midst of pain,
I choose love.
In the midst of pain,
I choose love.
In the midst of pain,
sorrow falling down like rain,
I await the sun again,
I choose love.
I choose love.
Ginny Chilton
Minister of Music
