The God Pause for Saturday, 10 June 2017 - The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States "I Love to Tell the Story" (ELW 661)

The God Pause for Saturday, 10 June 2017 - The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States   "I Love to Tell the Story" (ELW 661)"I Love to Tell the Story" (ELW 661)
1. I love to tell the story
of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory,
of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story,
because I know it's true;
it satisfies my longings
as nothing else would do.Refrain:
I love to tell the story;
'twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.2. I love to tell the story:
how pleasant to repeat
what seems, each time I tell it,
more wonderfully sweet!
I love to tell the story,
for some have never heard
the message of salvation
from God's own holy word.

Refrain: I love to tell the story;
'twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.3. I love to tell the story,
for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting
to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory,
I sing the new, new song,
I'll sing the old, old story
that I have loved so long.

Refrain: I love to tell the story;
'twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.-------

Have you ever told (or written) your faith story? To get started, you might want to consider some of these questions: Do you have any family faith traditions? What part of worship touches your heart? Is there a hymn that is particularly meaningful to you, and why do you like it? Who has showed you Christ-like love? When did you feel particularly close to God, and maybe not so close? How has the church been a part of your life, and how has it shaped you? (If you're looking for more structure, this "Spiritual Autobiography" [http://bit.ly/2rRcQDZ] created by Portico Benefit Services is an excellent place to start.)
Jesus' Great Commission is really a reminder to go out and tell his story--and tell our story of life with him. It's what theologian Anna Carter Florence calls testimony: Nothing more or less than what we ourselves have experienced, how we've come to trust that God is faithful, why we've chosen to put our future in God's hands.
I know I am a part of your holy story, O God. Thank you for including me in the pages of your book. Amen.
Shelley Cunningham, '98
Pastor, Zumbro Lutheran Church, Rochester, MinnesotaThe Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue

Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
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