C4SO is committed to more fully cooperating with the vision of racial and ethnic diversity in Revelation 7:9, so amplifying the voices of our Asian American brothers and sisters is a step toward this Kingdom vision. This May, during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we will provide opportunities for deeper learning, reflection and conversation as we begin to experience the beauty of God’s desire for diversity amongst his people. C4SO is pleased to feature Shin Maeng, an artist and illustrator whose style is influenced by urban art and manga, while the content of his drawings highlights his Christian faith.
This Sunday after the Ascension, we contemplate this image as we grieve and lament the shootings in Uvalde, Buffalo and Laguna Woods.
Week 5 Artwork: He Will Wipe Every Tear
by Shin Maeng
Hymn: God, Our Nation Feels the Loss
by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
PILOT 7.7.7.7.7 (“Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me”)
God, our nation feels the loss
as our children pay the cost
for the violence we accept,
for the silence we have kept.
Rachel weeps for children gone;
God of love, this can’t go on!
Jesus, Lord, we hear you say,
“Don’t turn little ones away!”
May we build a kinder land
where our children understand:
Every child here matters more
than the guns we clamor for.
Holy Spirit, wind and flame,
send us out in Jesus’ name.
May we shout and say, “Enough!”
May we build a world of love —
till the sounds of weapons cease,
till our young can grow in peace.
Tune: John Edgar Gould, 1871. Text: Copyright © 2022 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved. Permission is given for free use of this hymn for churches and ecumenical services.
Author’s Note: See the reference to the Slaughter of the Innocents: “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more” (Matthew 2:18). This hymn was written in remembrance of the beloved children of God who died in the school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.
Thank you for participating in C4SO’s celebration of AAPI Heritage Month! To stay up-to-date on all our Heritage Month celebrations, follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter.
Shin Maeng resides in St. Andrews Scotland. He grew up in Bridgewater, NJ, New Haven, CT and Cambridge, MA. He is married to Sarah and has a wee lass. Shin loves to create on his iPad and also loves to get his hands dirty. He has a Masters of Urban Leadership from GCTS Boston. Music, cities, stories, Marvel comics, dancing, most things on YouTube, food, justice and the movement of God’s hand are a few things that inspire Shin to create. Learn more about Shin.
Carolyn Winfrey Gillette is the author of over 400 hymns that have been sung by thousands of congregations around the world, and are found in 20 books and thousands of websites. Learn more about Carolyn.