Psalm 100

¹ Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.
² Serve the Lord with gladness;
 come into his presence with singing.

³ Know that the Lord is God.
 It is he who made us, and we are his;^[a]
 we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
 and his courts with praise.
 Give thanks to him; bless his name.

⁵ For the Lord is good;
 his steadfast love endures forever
 and his faithfulness to all generations.

Jeremy Rath recounts “Our other focus of the 2023 Honduras mission trip was delivering musical instruments to six churches in the lower portion of the country. These gifts were from our First Pres congregation to our siblings in Christ in the Honduran Presbytery. Monies were used to purchase these instruments and sound equipment from the Capital Campaign you all started in 2019. The campaign’s aim was to restore our pipe organ and Deagan Chimes as well as secure money for handbell refurbishment and continued instrument maintenance. A tithe was set aside from this campaign for churches in Honduras, and we are blessed to be able to deliver more musical instruments and equipment from this fund over the next two mission trips. At each church, we had a special dedication led by Dr. Negley and by the local pastor and a translator. It was a joy to share, not only the gifts, but also in their gratitude and Christian love. We delivered sound systems to the churches in Zuniga, Puerto Grande, Ocotillo Baja, and Ocotillo Arribe. The church in Las Crucitas asked for an accordion and we gifted the church in Nacaome a keyboard. Please know, that even though you weren’t physically there, your prayers, love, and contributions all were made present to our siblings in Christ. Soli Deo Gloria!”

Prayer

Wonderful God, we do lift our voices in praise for how the gift of music makes all hearts soar. We thank you for allowing us to share music in our midst, and for inspiring us to help our sisters and brothers in Honduras as they lift a joyful noise for your steadfast love. Amen.