Sharing our hymns and songs

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World Mission Weekend is coming soon -- January 26/27!
We'll celebrate our partnership through songs, prayers, and stories at all services.
 
One of the truly amazing gifts of this partnership is the sharing of our hymns and songs.
 
When we worship in Tanzania, we may be unfamiliar with the Swahili language and many customs, but in every worship service we hear a few familiar hymns -- the tune of Faith of Our Fathers is used for part of the liturgy.  Or a hymn familiar to us like What a Friend We Have in Jesus is sung.
 
As we travel from village to village on our packed bus, our partners sing and teach us some of their traditional songs.  Asante Sana, Yesu.  Iyo Neema.  Umoja.
 
Our travel groups are always asked to sing, and our partners have seemed to enjoy learning some of our traditional American songs.  In the highways, in the hedges, I'll be somewhere working for my Lord.  Walk together Children, Don't you get Weary.
 
 
 
In celebrating our partnership here in Minnesota, we have been blessed to have musicians who are willing to learn African songs to share with the congregation.  The Senior Choir has learned a number of Tanzanian songs -- some from our worship hymnals, others that we've learned directly from our partners in Tungamalenga.
 
 
 
This year, even SOTV's Children's Choirs are singing in Swahili!
They are learning the words and actions to a song that celebrates living life with God at the center of all we do. 
 
Tutaimba na Bwana, Alleluia! 
We sing with the Lord!
Tutacheza na Bwana!
We dance with the Lord!
Tutasaliniana!
We greet one another in the name of the Lord!
Tutaruka na Bwana!
We jump for joy in the Lord!
 
For several years in a row, SOTV travelers sang one particular hymn when we visited our friends. This became a favorite both here in Minnesota and in Tungamalenga, until finally Dr. Barnabas translated the hymn so the Tungamalenga Choir sang it in Swahili for us.
Enjoy!
 
 
 
Come! Live in the light! Shine with the Joy and the love of the Lord!
We are called to be light for the kingdom
to live in the freedom of the city of God.
 
We are called to act with justice
We are called to love tenderly,
We are called to serve one another,
to walk humbly with God.

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