Church Has Become a High Point in the Week

For many ongoing reasons, I look forward to going to church each Sunday. And I especially like the Lutheran Church of which we have become a part.

I really appreciate the “Lutheran way” of doing things. Take, for instance, the Worship Hymnal (that fills the backs of pews in almost every church). Nothing special, right? Just a collection of songs or hymns to sing, right?

WRONG.

In our Lutheran Church (and in most ELCA churches) the hymnal is a comprehensive volume of scripture, liturgy and, of course, hymns. It’s called The Book of Worship. But soon we are getting NEW hymnals. Our present ones are GREEN; the new ones are CRANBERRY.

When you change something as important as the hymnal in our church, a month-long adult ed class is created to “introduce you” to the why’s and wherefore’s of the new book. I have to admit this is a first for me. What could possibly fill four hours of classtime regarding a new hymnal? I’m so glad you asked, as we had our first class this past Sunday.

First, the hymnal enhances and provides resources for the four basic reasons that Lutherans worship: The Gathering (thanksgiving, confession), The Word (songs, Scriptures, creeds, sermon), Holy Communion (the Thanksgiving meal, offering and offertory prayer), and The Sending (sent out to serve with affirmations, benediction and blessings)

And secondly, the hymnal includes a commonly-held body of liturgical music as well as a diversity of musical expressions that meet a variety of needs:
• New music representing a range of musical styles and approaches
• Familiar music from Lutheran sources
• Existing style- and community-specific music from a number of sources

When the new Hymnals arrive a little later in the year, we’ll have a clearer and more “hands on” understanding of worship itself and how a new book of worship will enhance our individual and collective worship experiences.

I’ll learn more in the next class on Sunday.