God is calling through the whisper
of the Spirit’s deepest sighs,
through the thrill of sudden beauties
that can catch us by surprise.
Flash of lightning, crash of thunder;
hush of stillness, rush of wonder:
God is calling—can you hear?
God is calling—can you hear?

These are the words that anchored, not only Opening Worship for the 2025 North Carolina Synod Assembly, but also the whole of the assembly. God Is Calling through the Whisper is a hymn found in the Presbyterian Church USA’s hymnal, with lyrics by Mary Louise Bringle, and set to the tune of the Polish Carol many know as Infant Holy, Infant Lowly. While it may seem strange for 600-plus Lutherans to sing a Presbyterian hymn, the hymn was introduced to the assembly planning committee by Deacon Laura Alexander, who is on the synod’s roster and currently serves as the Director of Music at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greensboro. The hymn reminded assembly participants of the many ways God speaks to us, including through ecclesiastical elections and ecumenical partners.

The worship service was planned by a committee of folks, chaired by NC Synod Assistant to the Bishop, the Rev. Cassie Overcash, and included Deacon Laura Alexander, the Rev. Spence Robertson, Synodically Authorized Minister (SAM) Brad Alexander, the Rev. Rahim Brown, and the Rev. Justin Mauney. Pastor Spence served as the music director for the service and, in addition to offering key worship leadership, created original music specifically for this opening worship, including the coda and refrain featured in God is Calling.

The worship band consisted of the Rev. Ethan Overcash on drums, the Rev. Shea Berbaum on bass, the Rev. Justin Mauney on guitar and vocals, the Rev. Katie Elkin-Ziehr on guitar and vocals, Alexandra McNeely on vocals, and Pastor Spence Robertson on piano. Other worship leaders included the Rev. Karen Battle, the Rev. Tita Valeriano, SAM Ned Thigpen, and outgoing NC Synod Vice President, Diana Haywood. The Rev. Christina Auch and Deacon Wendy Roberts led the assembly in the commissioning of a new cohort of SAMs, including Mallory Allen, Walt Allen, Deanna Deaton, and Tony Lippard. Gerson Mendoza-Hipolito, a member of Calvary, Morganton, and a Lutheridge Summer Staff member, made his debut as a crucifer, leading the processional and recessional at the beginning and end of the service.

Additionally, Bishop Tim Smith offered a final sermon to the assembly as bishop of this synod. He set the tone for the assembly as he quoted Dean Lawrence from the 2024 movie, Conclave, who said, “Let me tell you, there is one sin, which I have come to fear above all others: certainty.” His sermon tied together the need to forego the certainties we have created for ourselves to make room to both listen and be formed by how the Holy Spirit is speaking to us. This was a particularly apt message for an assembly whose primary goal was to elect a new bishop. 

All in all, the opening worship service reminded worshippers that there are some places and spaces where we are confident that we encounter God: in the Word and at the Table. And then, there are spaces in which God’s voice is faint, or perhaps even surprising. Among many others, those include nature, our neighbors, and most significantly, during Synod Assembly, in a large ballroom at the Koury Convention Center. Thanks be to God for gentle whispers, loud crashes of thunder, and everything in between!