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A New Song

December 2, 2025

Isaiah 49:22-23|Psalm 96:1-7| Acts 1:1-9| Luke 10:1-12

Sing to the Lord a new song; *
sing to the Lord, all the whole earth. – Psalm 96:1-2

What an exuberant exhortation!  Imagine the Psalmist spreading his arms in joy, and inviting us all to offer something fresh, something inspired, something new.  Or Rodney, our devoted and masterful Minister of Music, inspiring us to show our joy, as we lift our voices.

But why does it have to be something new? My traditional, keep-as-is, and sometimes curmudgeonly self balks at the notion of dismissing the past and bringing in something unfamiliar and untested.  What’s wrong with the tried-and-true ‘old chestnuts’ that have served us for so long?

In my decades with our Choir, many of those ‘old chestnuts’ – the hymns, anthems, chants and settings – cycle around as our liturgical seasons roll through the years.  Memories, events, people and times past are often associated with those musical offerings, which often bring smiles, a tear or wistfulness in their recalling.

Yet, even as that catalogue of musical worship is offered again, Rodney always reminds us that, although the music may be familiar to us, for someone in the congregation, or viewing online, it is indeed a ‘new song’, and should be presented as a worshipful offering that may bring meaning and inspiration.  “Everything old is new again,” as the saying goes.

Over his ten years with us, Rodney has introduced our Choirs to many ‘new’ songs, anthems, hymns and other music for worship.  Oftentimes, learning the music has been exceptionally challenging, with double choirs, eight parts and other complexities.  Yet, under his direction, we have persevered, offering them up with faithful confidence and joy.  Remarkably, some of those most difficult pieces have become cherished favorites, which we are excited to sing when they appear in our Choir folders again.

Beyond those ‘new songs’, there is much that is new to be celebrated.  We are in a season of fresh starts, renewed connections, and a call to service in the Lord’s name.  A renaissance, if you will.  Most especially, we have welcomed a new Rector to shepherd us through these times and challenges.   Fr. John Fountain brings that sense of wonder and joy, as he and his family refresh our awareness of what makes St. Luke’s, East Greenwich and Rhode Island special.  Through their eyes, we gain a new appreciation of all that is good, delightful, and full of potential in what we already have, as we are called to even greater things.

Taking a cue from our Commitment Campaign’s theme:  We are all discovering St. Luke’s anew.  Let us honor our history, celebrate our gifts now, and look ahead with the ‘joy and possibility’ that was the fervent phrase in our Transitional Prayer.   We are singing a new song!

Sing to the Lord and bless his Name; *
proclaim the good news of his salvation from day to day.   Psalm 96:3-4

Laura Sullivan