Prayers and a pause for thought

Here are some resources you can freely use for a ‘singing the faith'-themed service:

A pause for thought
(By the Revd Ruth Jeffries, member of the Music Resources Group)

Congregational singing has long been recognised as an integral part of Christian worship, but as Brian Hoare's title, ‘Born in song' suggests, it reaches back even further than this.

If you read through the books of Chronicles you will find that the Levitical choir held a very important position, both within the community and in the temple worship.

Although the layout of the temple indicates that the further you were allowed in the more important or holier you were, the choirs stood on steps in the very centre of the temple so that all, no matter their station, could be caught up in the music of worship.

Of course for Methodists this importance still remains. Charles Wesley was so convinced of the importance of learning God's truths through song that he wrote an incredible amount of hymns offering “better words to sing” to the popular tunes of the day.

Naturally, we have inherited John and Charles' passion for hymnody, but the stronger the tradition, the more resistant it can be to change. It is right for us to be aware of our hymn and song choices because it is important that we believe what we sing, but ultimately whatever songs we sing be they brand new or ancient, they should lead us into a deeper relationship with God.

There are many reasons why we sing and likewise corporate singing fulfils many functions within our worship.

Throughout the Bible we can read encouragements to sing together, from the early temple worship and the Psalms of the Old Testament, to Paul's encouragement to edify each other through singing to God in Colossians (3:16), to the recognition in Revelation that singing is also a heavenly activity.

So not only can singing raise our spirits, encourage and edify us, teach us more about God and his love and grace, and develop our sense of community, but in singing we can find ourselves in a ‘thin place', where the veil between heaven and earth is almost invisible, as we join with the angels in singing praises to our Creator God.

Prayers
(Written by members of the Music Resources Group)

Thank you God for the music of creation, heard
In the swell of the sea and fast flowing mountain stream,
In the dawn chorus and sweet song of the nightingale,
In the rustle of leaves and the clap of thunder.

Thank you God for music makers,
For composers and writers, making music and songs of all kinds,
For those who perform as soloists, members of choirs,
Music groups, dance bands and orchestras.

Thank you God for different musical styles,
For popular music, with its variety of rhythms
and orchestral music with its richness of tone.
For the music of dance and opera, for folk songs and ballads,
For musical accompaniment in concert hall or church service.

Thank you God for music which speaks to our emotions,
Soothing us when we are troubled,
Strengthening us when we are afraid,
Moving us by its intensity and thrilling us by its power.

Thank you God for the music of worship and devotion,
Through our hymns, songs and psalms we express our faith and love.
We lift up our hearts and raise our voices in praise and thanksgiving to your Holy Name.
(Barbara Bircumshaw)

 

God, who sang the world into being,
we give thanks that you have raised up a people born in song,
to respond to you wholeheartedly in worship and service.
We thank you that you still pour out your creative gifts upon your people
and inspire us with the movement of your Spirit.
Help us to use your gifts wisely,
so that our creativity points to you and does not become an end in itself:
and may the fruits of your inspiration continue to equip your Church to worship you,
to proclaim your love
and to serve the present age. Amen
(Ian Howarth)

 

God of music and dance, all creation blesses you. May our hearts rise to greet you in songs of praise, for you are
a God of wonder. May the world learn your song and join in harmonious relations, so that your peace may be known on earth. Amen.
(Kavula John)

 

Suggested Scripture

• Psalm 96, 98, 100, 145, 147 or 150
• Acts 16: 16-34
• Colossians 3: 12-17