Dear Congregation,
In worshipping God there is of necessity a key place for the Word of God, read and preached. Following the sermon the congregation is encouraged to respond appropriately to the message they have been given.
In some churches within the Reformed and Presbyterian tradition the giving of the tithes and offering has always formed part of this response. But it is equally common practice as we do to have this earlier in the service. While there may be times when the offering is an appropriate response to the sermon, but it is surely a mistake to always identify the giving of the offering, of finances, as the appropriate response to a sermon. The preaching of the Word may have actually and naturally put emphasis on a different response, and the taking up of the offering may undercut such clear appeals from the Word which the preacher has made.
This is why a hymn of response is more satisfactory in which a careful selection has made to help the congregation earnestly reflect back before God the key aspects of truth and application of the Word, whether it be of praise, thanksgiving, seeking of grace or expressing renewed commitment.
That’s said the temptation to resist a popular hymn of the congregation to finish on a triumphant note ought to eb resisted. It is very easy to choose a familiar song, one well-liked. But does it reflect the teaching of the Word, what Dick Lucas called the ‘melody-line’ of the Word which has been revealed and applied to the congregation? Does it reflect the impact of that word, the mood that it expresses and impresses on the hearer? The preacher ought to carefully choose a song which will most appropriately express the corporate response of the congregation to the message of the sermon.
It should not be lost on us that after transforming the Passover into the Lords Supper, at the conclusion of the new sacramental feast and the teaching that Jesus gave, that we read in both Matthew and Mark’s account:
And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”
– Matthew 26:30
This was probably Psalm 118, though Mark’s use of the plural hymns possibly suggests Psalms 115-118, part of what is known as the Hallel (meaning praise in Hebrew) of Egypt of which Psa 113 and 114 were sung before and Psa 115-118 after the Passover meal as its traditional close. These are fitting songs of reflective and thankful faith in light of the saving grace of God.
We are perhaps more familiar with Psa 118, but we should consider all of these in light of all that Christ has done for us as our Passover Lamb. But the particular point we should not miss here is that Jesus Himself led His disciples in singing these in response to the meal celebrating God’s saving grace. This is a good practice which the Lord honoured and surely also confirmed to the new covenant community into which he has formed us through faith.
We come from the word proclaimed singing unto God in light of that word received from Him.
Not only should such songs be carefully chosen, but they should also be carefully sung and become a lingering expression of the influence of the Word upon our thoughts and heart attitudes as well as overflowing into the practices of our daily lives.
Oh that all our worship which we bring to the Lord tomorrow on the Lord’s Day would be evidence of such godliness!
Even so Lord give us such grace that we may increasingly know what it is to lift up Spirit-filled worship.
Together in Christ’s love and service,
John Your Pastor