Study guide Favorites: Hymns made a difference M
By Robert C. Blezard “
usic,” Martin Luther com- mented, “is an endowment and a gift of God.” The
reformer loved music and wrote “A Mighty Fortress” and many hymns that are even today sung and loved by millions. Fittingly, Lutherans still put music and hymns at the center of worship, to glorify God and bring the faithful into the presence of the holy.
Exercise 1: Moving music Luther believed music cured what- ever ailed the soul, as he wrote in the preface to a 1538 collection of hymns: “If you want to revive the sad, startle the jovial, encourage the despairing, humble the conceited, pacify the raging, mollify the hate- filled … what can you find that is more efficacious than music?” • Would you agree? • Why do you think this is so? • Have you had such an experience? • Can music change or direct the mood of an entire congregation?
Blezard is pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Arendtsville, Pa. He has a master of divinity degree from Boston University and did subsequent study at the Lutheran Seminary at Gettysburg (Pa.) and the Lutheran Seminary at Philadelphia.
Exercise 2: Servant of the gospel “Music is a servant of the gospel and a principal means of worshiping God in Lutheran churches,” declares the ELCA’s 1997 statement “The Use of the Means of Grace.” It continues: “Congregational song gathers the whole people to proclaim God’s mercy, to worship God, and to pray, in response to the readings of the day and in preparation for the Lord’s Supper.” • In your experi- ence, how does music do these things? • Is worship only music?
• How does music cooperate with prayer, Scripture readings, silence and sermon to create an overall wor- ship experience?
Exercise 3: Your favorite hymn Prepare for the discussion by hav- ing a hymnal for each study group member and, if possible, a musician who can play hymns. In turn, have members identify their favorite hymns, and then sing them together. For each hymn, discuss: • Why do you like it? • What emotions does it arouse? • What effect do the words have on you? The music? Which is more moving to you? When all have spoken, discuss how and why music can move our spirits.
Exercise 4: Hymn texts Prepare by supplying every study group member with a hymnal. Ask each member to identify their favor- ite hymn, and then read aloud the words—as you would read a poem. • What message does the text convey? • Does reading the words as a poem move you in a different way than singing the words in a hymn? • What different insights does read- ing the hymn lyrics offer?
Exercise 5: A different song Lutherans are expanding their musi- cal range. Is your church? Which hymnal does your congregation pri- marily use? The ELCA and its predecessor bodies have released several major hymnals: in 1958 (Service Book and Hymnal), 1978 (Lutheran Book
of Worship) and 2006 (Evangelical Lutheran Worship). But there have also been supple- mental and specialty hymnals, including With One Voice (1995), This Far by Faith (1999, hymns in the African-American tradition), Libro de Liturgia y Cántico (1998, hymns in the Spanish tradition), and The Worship & Praise Song- book (1999, contemporary songs). Discuss: • How might these hymnals help your congregation expand diversity? • Would new and different music offerings make your worship more inviting to people you need to reach? • How could your congregation best explore musical variety?
Exercise 6: Music styles Many congregations face a genera- tional musical dilemma: The “good old hymns” that are adored by the senior members of the church don’t do much for many younger mem- bers, whose tastes are more modern. But some older members find con- temporary Christian music to be less than worshipful. • Is this true at your church? • How does the diversity of music assist outreach and growth? • Can music style ever be a barrier to growth? • Should a church try to satisfy every musical taste? • How can a church wisely adapt its music to newer hymns and instrumentation while not alienat- ing people who like the traditional offerings? • What suggestions would you give to your pastor or worship leaders?
This study guide is offered as one example of the more than 350 that are currently available on The Lutheran’s website. Download guides—free to print and Web subscribers—at
www.thelutheran.org (click “study guides”).
26 The Lutheran •
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