The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.” 2 Chronicles 5:13 (NIV)
The ark of the covenant arrived in the temple, built by the Israelites under the supervision of King Solomon. It is a big moment; the ark – containing the tablets on which the 10 commandments, given by God to Moses many years before, are written – finally has a home. Israel worshipped, giving thanks and praise to the Lord God. In the following chapter of 2 Chronicles, Solomon speaks. He gives the credit for the temple’s completion to God. He reminds them that Yahweh has been with them since the very beginning.
He’s loved them and kept his promises to them even through the tough times. In a world of multiple “small g” gods, Solomon reminds the people that there’s no god like their God, the one true God.
For me, that’s why it’s so important, essential in fact, that we gather together as a community for events such as our Thanksgiving Service. To have our youngest students – our Preps – lead us in worship early in the night with a beautiful rendition of a song focusing on God’s love, was a blessing. To commemorate the Year 6 students and Year 12 students’ collective experiences as they finish these significant years in their educational journeys – this is an important rite of passage. To celebrate the giftedness of our high achieving students and the contributions of those who have led by example in their endeavours during the year – we are thankful to God for all these young men and women have done to enrich our community.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
In inducting my predecessor, Ross Grace, onto the Honour Roll for his tireless and selfless service to the College over the best part of two decades – most definitely, this is an appropriate moment for thankfulness to our Lord. For our outgoing student leadership, alongside our Board, to commission the incoming student leadership for 2019 – this is a crucial moment of transition marked by prayer and rededication.
We wrapped the evening up in majestic moments of corporate worship. Praise songs and hymns, led in humility by our students – an extension of their leadership in worship assemblies held all year, made all the more melodic and beautiful by our venue. And finally – pausing and reflecting on the giftedness of solo and group performers – including a final breathtaking, tear-inducing rendition of “Amazing Grace” by the Altonatives – superlatives do not sufficiently express the effect that these young men and women have had in building us up.
All these moments that contributed to all that was our Thanksgiving Service confirm why it is right for us as a College community to finish our year in this way. We are deeply committed to building a culture that is clear, built out of our common-unity we have because we each have a relationship with Christ. We are, after all, bathed in God’s grace – long may it continue that we gather in thankfulness and praise to God Almighty.
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