Lutherans join in singing blessing over Australia

Members of two LCA congregations have added their voices to the Australian version of ecumenical internet music video The Blessing.

More than 300 churches, worship leaders, artists and Christian ministry groups from around the nation took part in the project, which premiered on YouTube on 7 June. The song, The Blessing, which was written by Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes and Steven Furtick of Elevation Church in the United States, is based on the Aaronic Blessing (The Lord bless you and keep you) from Numbers 6:22–26.

What began as a chart-topping Christian worship song in America then was transformed into a show of interdenominational unity in the United Kingdom in May. The UK version, which became an internet hit, featured members of more than 65 churches and ministries, recorded on video separately but with their voices combined on the final video. Other countries to record ecumenical versions have included Ghana, Malaysia, Ireland, France, Canada, South Africa, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Sweden, Singapore and the Philippines.

The aim of the producers of the Australian version was for churches to unite in singing a blessing over the nation ‘during this time of uncertainty and physical isolation’.

Maria Rudolph, who sang with five other members of Concordia Lutheran Church Duncraig in Western Australia, treasured being involved in what she believes was an important show of unity representing the body of Christ, especially at a time of global unrest. She also said the production was ‘a great encapsulation of Australia being one nation’ of people from many backgrounds, from Aboriginal people to the most recently arrived migrants.

Maria said Concordia, which has members from many different cultural backgrounds and four nationalities represented among its singers, had jumped at the chance to be involved when parishioner Louise Hampel received the information about the recording in late May. ‘It’s been on our hearts to do something like this’, Maria said. ‘It was just the intervention of the Holy Spirit.’

Along with Maria and Concordia’s Chris Antonini, Steve Newcombe, Theresa Worroll, Plum Schrick and Narelle Newcombe, Jaime Nuske and Sierra and Lucy Thiele from Seaford Lutheran Church in Adelaide’s southern suburbs also feature on the video. Jess Hutton, the office and booking coordinator for Luther Heights camp on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast also submitted a video to the project.

You can watch The Blessing Australia on YouTube.