June 15, 2022 – Words of Wisdom, Jeff Foxworthy

“We sing about G-d because we believe in Him. We are not trying to offend anybody, but the evidence that we have seen of Him in our small little lives trumps your opinion about whether or not He exists.”  Jeff Foxworthy

“On receiving this order, he placed them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.   About Midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.…”   Acts 16:24-26

The Lutheran church has a long history of singing and playing sacred music – it is one of the legacies of Martin Luther. In his reform of the liturgy, he used his talent and experience as a musician and composer to introduce new kinds of music. Luther was not only a theologian and a reformer, he gave community singing a renewed role in the life of the church. He composed about thirty chorales, and, with other musicians, a hymn book. He asked that singing be taught in schools.

I have heard Nadia Bolz-Weber, author and Lutheran pastor speak at one of our synod’s organized events. She mentioned in her talk that her congregation does not have an organist. Instead they sing all of their hymns without accompaniment – or as she called it, acapella in four part harmony.  She said that it is in those moments, as hundreds of people are standing and singing one of the “old style hymns”, she feels the presence of the Holy Spirit blowing through their midst. Martin Luther introduced singing in worship as just another way to encourage the “people” to participate in the worship experience. And, through almost 500 years of Lutheranism, we have continued to add to the musical works of Luther and the other Reformers.

Just like Paul and Silas, we sing hymns and pray words to G-d as ways to lift words of praise and thanksgiving. It is part of our Lutheran “DNA” – and helps us to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in our worship and our personal lives.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, singing is just one way to offer prayer, praise and thanksgiving to you. Thank you for giving us the gift of music – and people who offer their musical gifts. Amen.

Pastor Dave