7 — Loving God of Aotearoa
A Hymn for Unity, Service, and Creation’s Majesty
Loving God of Aotearoa, a hymn written for Rev Desmond Cooper for his induction as President of the Methodist Church in 2010, draws together themes of unity, service, and the awe-inspiring presence of God in Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique landscape.
It is part of my PDF eBook Kindle A Flame, a collection of songs, hymns and prayers.
The hymn offers a rich tapestry of theological and cultural elements that resonate deeply within the context of both the Methodist and wider church in New Zealand.
Here are the words:
- Loving God of Aotearoa,
hear now our call to you,
We have gathered in your presence,
to celebrate anew!
We have come from many places,
speaking, thinking differently,
But in you we are united,
one whole, strong family.
Refrain:
Let us heed your call to service
and follow lovingly,
May we be compassionate people,
alive in you and free.
- Scripture tells of faithful people,
who spread your light and love.
Now inspire, lead, direct us,
so we can be like them.
May the Way that Christ has taught us,
and the power of your Word,
Set a fire burning in us,
for justice and for love.
- Rimu tall, with tui singing,
proclaim your majesty,
You who care for all creation,
will always care for me.
Matariki’s spirit guide us,
rise within us all the year.
Help us live and speak forgiveness,
your people want to hear.
And here’s a link to download a sheet music setting:
https://tinyurl.com/yv67hcc4
Key themes of the hymn:
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Unity in Diversity: The hymn begins by acknowledging the diverse nature of the church in Aotearoa New Zealand, where people from various backgrounds, with differing thoughts and languages, come together as one united family under the love of God.
This theme of unity is central to the hymn’s message, emphasising that despite differences, a shared faith binds the congregation together.
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A Call to Compassionate Service: The refrain, “Let us heed your call to service and follow lovingly, May we be compassionate people, alive in you and free,” directly echoes the message of one of my sung prayer responses – Happy are we who have work to do – by issuing a call to action.
It emphasises the responsibility of Christians to actively serve others with love and compassion, embodying Christ’s teachings in their daily lives.
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Honouring Past Faithful People: Verse 2 draws inspiration from those who have faithfully served God in the past, urging the congregation to follow their example.
By acknowledging the legacy of faithful individuals, the hymn encourages a sense of continuity and commitment to carrying forward the torch of faith and service.
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God’s Presence in Aotearoa’s Natural Beauty: Verse 3 shifts the focus to the majestic presence of God in the natural world, using imagery specific to Aotearoa New Zealand.
The towering rimu trees, the melodious tui birdsong, and the celestial guidance of Matariki, the Māori New Year star cluster, all point to God’s creative power and loving care for all creation.
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Forgiveness and New Beginnings: The hymn concludes by linking Matariki’s symbolism of new beginnings to the act of giving and receiving forgiveness.
This connection emphasises the transformative power of forgiveness, allowing individuals and communities to leave behind past hurts and embrace a future filled with hope and freedom.
Guiding Worship: Integrating Loving God of Aotearoa into Services
This hymn’s rich thematic content and evocative imagery provide worship leaders with a powerful tool for enriching church services. Here are several ways to effectively incorporate it:
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Congregational Singing: Loving God of Aotearoa can be sung by the entire congregation as a hymn of praise and commitment to God.
Its straightforward melody and clear lyrics make it accessible for all ages and singing abilities.
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Thematic Focus: The hymn can be used to support sermons or reflections focusing on themes of unity, service, creation care, or forgiveness.
Its lyrics provide a scriptural and cultural foundation for exploring these concepts in depth.
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Visual Enhancements: Incorporating visuals during the singing of this hymn can deepen its impact.
Images of Aotearoa’s natural beauty, such as rimu forests, tui birds, or the Matariki star cluster, can visually connect the congregation to the hymn’s message.
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Responsive Reading: The verses can be read responsively, with a leader reading the first line of each verse and the congregation responding with the remaining lines.
This approach emphasises the call and response nature of the hymn and encourages active listening.
Performance Considerations
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Key and Accompaniment: The hymn is best sung in its original key (or a slightly lower one) and accompanied by piano or organ to preserve its intended melodic and harmonic richness.
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Word Emphasis: Encourage clear enunciation of the word “compassionate” in the refrain, as it spans three notes and may require careful articulation.
- Tempo and Dynamics: Maintain a moderate tempo that allows the congregation to fully engage with the text.
Beyond the Service
Here are a couple ways you can use Loving God of Aotearoa beyond the confines of a church service:
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Small Group Discussions: Use the hymn as a starting point for discussions on unity, service, and creation care in small group settings.
Encourage participants to share their personal reflections on the hymn’s message and how it applies to their lives.
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Community Outreach: The hymn’s call to compassionate service can inspire action.
Encourage the congregation to identify needs within their community and find ways to serve others with love and generosity.
Summing up
By thoughtfully incorporating Loving God of Aotearoa into worship services and beyond, worship leaders can inspire their congregations to embrace a deeper connection with God, their community, and the awe-inspiring beauty of Aotearoa New Zealand.
The hymn serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of unity, service, and the enduring presence of God in the natural world.
Philip
14 November 2024