Dear Friends,

Every summer, media outlets race to crown the “song of the summer.” This year, the winner seems to be up for debate (though a quick Google search suggests the strong contenders might be “Ordinary” by Alex Warren and “Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter).

Yet when I think of the summer songs that have stayed with me over the years, I’m drawn to a different kind of soundtrack. These are the songs whose lyrics never change, but somehow I do. They take me back to who I once was, even as they ground me in who I am today. They remind me of what remains constant—and of the miracle that everything changes, including me.

There are songs that carried me through heartbreaks that once felt insurmountable, songs that reminded me that joy still existed in lonely seasons, and songs that encouraged me to dance the night away when my body moved with a little more ease than it does today.

Church music has its own kind of earworms. These melodies and messages mark our faith journeys. Some hymns become anchors, resurfacing when we need them most. Perhaps you’ve even encountered a “pop” song in worship that helped you see your spiritual life in a new light…or a hymn that hums in your mind long after the service ends…or a line of music that gave voice to your heart when your words had run dry.

What are your songs of the summer? What are your songs of the soul?

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday as we celebrate the connecting power of music, community, and faith.

Love,

Cheryl