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MUSIC NOTES
Hymns in History
Ever think about the great wealth of hymns that are sung during worship? They are from all periods of church history and musical composition, and reflect the vast wealth of theological and Biblical thought and the emphasis of past generations, right up to the present.
The compilers of The Hymnal 1982 had a mammoth task in front of them, and it was carried out so well. This is a hymn collection with real depth, which 20 years after publication is still nourishing congregations through the three year liturgical cycle. Since its publication (in 1985 – it was approved for publication in 1982) other supplements have appeared. Lift Every Voice and Sing has been especially meaningful at Pohick. But the congregation regularly sings music from Wonder, Love and Praise and Voices Found as well as music from Taize. (By the way, so many have asked how to pronounce the name of this town where the gatherings of young people are held: say TAY-zay.)
What makes for an excellent hymn text? What if each writer has, say, a kernel of truth to share, a perspective on a Biblical text, or the worship of God, or the spiritual life, which, when shared, builds up the community which is the Church? What if a writer has the craft to write clearly, without excess verbiage or a stuffy stance, in an established poetic form, or in a new form created to express that kernel? What if the text created adds to the beauty of worship or the insight of the worshippers, or supports them in the lives they live outside of the church? Wouldn’t that be an excellent hymn text?
Some Ideas and Information about Worship
The function of the prelude is to focus on the service to come. Often the music is chosen with specific reference to the lessons for the day or the liturgical action. Will the service be a joyous celebration of a festival? The prelude music will start the celebration! Will it be a reflective service during Lent? The prelude music will prepare the congregation for looking inward.
The prelude is a precursor of what is to come. It is a time to prepare for the service. It is a time for prayer and reflection, a time which takes people from their everyday lives and welcomes them into the realm of the holy. Remember to listen to what it is saying, to pray, to prepare the heart for meeting God.
The most holy time in the service is at the Great Thanksgiving and the distribution of Communion. It is a time of quiet, of reverence, of honoring the presence of Christ and the sacrifice he made for people, which now feeds them in Communion. Hymns are sung to praise God. Join in singing them! Hymns are the province of all the people. See what they have to say, and worship God through them.Open a Printer Friendly Version of this Page
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