Hymns as a Resource for the Language of Worship

Those who regularly plan worship are familiar with using scripture as foundational resource for of worship. The worship experience is enhanced when phrases of scriptures read in worship are woven into hymns, prayers, calls to worship and sermons. Hymns can play a similar role for worship planners. Some preachers have gift of including hymn texts (or even singing a hymn stanza) within their sermon. Organists find that using a hymn prelude based on one of tunes being used in that service strengthens singing and worship experience. For those congregations that are interested in making Uturgy reaUy the work of having an element or two for worship written by members of congregation can begin to involve them in deeper searches for faith and meaning, and draw on variety of gifts present in congregation. Liturgists can also find ways to enhance their introduction of worship elements by taking time ahead to consider what is happening as worship moves from one element to next and using of hymns to focus transition. As in using scriptural language, use of phrases from hymns can draw on heart language of congregation, weaving worship experience together, strengthening faith and opening us to fresh revelations of God. This article will lead worship planners through process of drawing on hymns for of worship, considering various parts of worship service. For those who write their own worship resources, this author recommends creative process found in Ruth Duck's Finding Words for Worship (Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 1995), Chapter 2, pages 10-19. This process may be followed by individuals or teams of persons working together to plan worship, and may be used at several levels: first to plan broad scope of service itself (based on day of liturgical year, scriptures, and other guidance according to your denomination) and then to create individual elements of service itself. The process is based on following steps: 1. Begin with prayer-over a scripture, congregation or hymn 2. Engage imagination-by considering text/s and music in light of humanity's five senses 3. Brainstorm-as many ideas and images as possible 4. Focus-chose which ideas Spirit is calling for in this worship service 5. Let your words and ideas flow-do not edit process at this point-stay open to Spirit 6. Take time away-a day or two is best, but even time away to get a drink of water or cup of coffee or walk dog can be helpful 7. Revise and refine-to your heart's content, within time constraints 8. Learn from feedback-both intentional sources, such as a worship committee, and random comments from persons in congregation as they leave worship What elements of worship, besides famiUar usage of hymn singing, might be enhanced by drawing on hymns as a resource for of worship? This article will consider caUs to worship, coUects, prayers of confession, offering prayers, benedictions, Eucharistie prayers (depending on denomination's requirements for proper blessing of elements), prayers of people, sermons and teachable moments. As beginners in writing worship elements, it is often helpful to study forms of worship resources found in your congregation's hymnal and Book of Worship. In addition to Finding Words for Worship, Laurence HuU Stookey's Let Whole Church Say Amen! (NashviUe: Abingdon, 2001), a workbook on writing prayers, is a helpful resource for understanding various forms of prayer. Calls to Worship The call to worship occurs at beginning of worship, often as a dialogue between liturgist/presider/leader and congregation, occasionally as a brief scripture or statement by worship leader. Because this element of worship often leads to singing a hymn, call to worship can use opening hymn as a resource for its language. …