We are beginning a new series of worship
experiences at Seneca Presbyterian Church this week. Our denomination – the Presbyterian
Church (USA) – is publishing a new hymnal. It is called Glory to God and we have been promised that our shipment will
arrive in time for us to use it on World Communion Sunday, October 6. Let’s
hope publishers and printers and shippers can uphold the promise.
In preparation for that
new era, we will be celebrating the gift of congregational song when we gather
for worship over the next five Sundays. Since we know our ancestors in faith
have been singing about God and to God for thousands of years, we know there
are many ways of praising God with music and song. I grew up singing
traditional hymns in church and Sunday School. The church that nurtured me as a
child had a Sunday evening service too. Hymn sings were often a part of those
nighttime worship opportunities. It was there that I learned so many hymns by
heart. But just as significantly, I heard what was important to the adults
around me, what nurtured their faith, and what they sang with gusto.
I also learned to sing on
retreats when we gathered around a campfire, particularly in high school and
college. Those are the years when you want to learn something different,
something the adults would not sing or even like. In my era, it was “Pass It On”
and “Teach Your Children.” I wish I could remember the title of the song book
we used – but it had a brown cover, contained just the lyrics, and included “Charlie
on the MTA” and “Little Boxes.” Looking back, I remember thinking in that book
alone was every good song ever worth singing!
But thank goodness my
faith-filled music education didn’t end there. After college came seminary and
life in the Church spanning four decades. I’ve been blessed to include in my repertoire
Taize choruses and songs from Iona; the majestic strains of high Church
tradition; the hymns and songs written in only the last few years.
When Seneca
Presbyterian called me as their pastor, I came to a congregation that offered opportunities
to worship in both the traditional and contemporary styles. Traditional I knew;
but contemporary was an entirely different experience for me. It threw me into one
of the most divisive issues in modern church life, one where either/or usually
wins out over both/and. I wish it were not so, because these past three years
have deepened my musical repertoire and I am grateful.
Our
denominational church family’s songbook tries to model the diversity that God created
in the world of song. For the next five Sundays, we hope to do the same. We’ll
look at songs that teach, songs that draw us into God’s presence, songs that
call us to action, and songs that unite us. We do so not in order to pick and
choose “what I like,” but instead to sing what God likes from all the voices of
God’s children. It is what Marva Dawn calls “the music of the whole Church for
the sake of the whole world.” You are welcome to join us.
I’ve
already heard from the people of Seneca Presbyterian. They have shared with me
their favorite hymn and why. Since we will be at this for four more weeks,
there is time to hear from you.
- What is your favorite hymn and why?
- How diverse is your repertoire? Is it ok to sing and worship in only one style? What is lost when we do?
- How do different styles of music speak to you? What do you find missing from your worship experience?
- How can we sing as one Church offering praise to God in one voice?
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