It was an ordinary Friday morning, or so I thought, and I was getting started on the day when I heard sounds drifting up the stairs and into my office.

New in my role as Director of Learning Support Services, I was still learning the rhythm of elementary school life. It took me a few seconds to determine what I was hearing. Mystery turned into excitement as I ran, following the sound to its source. To my wonder it was chapel and four hundred children boisterously singing praise to God! It didn’t seem to matter whether they knew all the words or could carry a tune, they were making a joyful noise.

As I stood there taking it all in, I couldn’t stop the tears streaming down my face. The simple and pure joy of their worship was transcendent. And it invited all who were gathered to join in.

Hallways, Lunch Breaks, and Fridays

Working in all three campuses, I hear students making a joyful noise in a myriad of ways.

Praise songs filter through the elementary hallways during the day. Middle school students prepare for their chapel during lunch breaks. Secondary students arrive early Friday mornings to practice for chapel and bless all who pass by with the truth of God’s word in song.

Hearing words like these from one of North Point Worship’s familiar songs:

We’re free, free,
forever we’re free
come join the song
of all the redeemed
Yes, we’re free, free,
forever amen
When death was arrested
and my life began

float up from the Learning Commons and beckon a response. Psalm 98:4 encourages us to make a joyful noise to the Lord and to break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

History Repeated

I love seeing examples of how ACS lives out its mission statement of engaging minds, nurturing hearts, and shaping God’s world by teaching students about life as worship to God and providing them with opportunities to do it through song.

To my delight, I experienced it personally this year as I watched history repeat itself through my granddaughter. She is now singing in the Joyful Sounds choir just like my youngest daughter did so many years ago. When I asked my daughter about the choir’s theme song, she laughed as the words quickly came back to her:

Joyful sounds to you we bring
and together we will sing,
God is faithful, ever with us
We will sing his praise.