Press Play
If you grew up in the 1980s in Arlington, like me, you remember the ritual. On release day, I’d ride my bike to Ballston Mall and head straight for Sam Goody to buy a cassette tape, crack open the plastic case, check out the art and J-notes. Then, I'd slide the tape into my new black, Sony Walkman, and feel that satisfying click as it locked into place. Lightweight foam headphones, the world slightly muted around you, thumb hovering over the PLAY button before getting back on my bike to head home.
And then—music. Personal and portable. Maybe it was The Police with their sharp, urgent sound, or Duran Duran with their danceable, new wave groove, or even Devo with their quirky, futuristic edge and red hats—and I would feel like I was tuning into the same frequency as millions of others. MTV was new, the music felt alive, and pressing play felt like joining a movement.
I would listen until the tape became worn from shear devotion, until the songs became the soundtrack of my walk to school and my bedroom dance floor. Listening to music always made me feel like I was part of something bigger than myself.
Psalm 96 opens with this same energy of anticipation: “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.”
It’s an invitation to press play again—on God’s goodness, God’s creativity, God’s presence moving through the world. Worship becomes our Walkman moment: a chance to tune in, block out the noise, and let God’s melody shape our steps.
When we gather, we also press play on our values:
- Authenticity — the honest track that grounds us.
- Community — the harmony we make together.
- Creativity — the fresh arrangement of God’s glory in our time.
- Curiosity — the bridge that opens new possibilities.
- Service — the rhythm that moves us outward in love.
Psalm 96 reminds us that God’s splendor and majesty are already playing—already echoing through creation. Our role is simply to listen, respond, and add our voice to the song.
Just like those cassette tapes we played until they stretched thin, worship shapes us through repetition—returning again and again to the truth of who God is. Pressing play becomes an act of hope, belonging, and joy with the body of Christ.
This week, may you press play with anticipation—trusting that God is composing something new in you and through you.
Read: Psalm 96:1 – 6
Reflection Questions
- What “new song” might God be inviting you to hear or sing in this season?
- Which of our core values—authenticity, community, creativity, curiosity, or service—do you most need to press play on right now?
- When have you felt connected to others through a shared experience of music, joy, or worship?
Take a Moment to Listen
A classic, communal anthem of hope and perseverance, this song by Journey captures the same feeling as pressing play in the 1980s — that spark of anticipation, connection, and courage. Everyone knew it, everyone sang it, and everyone felt connected. It’s a reminder that faith often begins with choosing to believe again, just as Psalm 96 invites us to sing a new song and step into God’s unfolding goodness. Why not press play?
Closing Prayer
Holy Composer,
You invite us to press play on Your goodness and join the melody You are writing in the world. Tune our hearts to Your splendor and majesty. Let Your strength and glory shape our values and our life together. As we gather in worship, help us listen with anticipation, sing with gratitude, and live with courage. Make our community a harmony of Your love.
Amen.