Planted and Singing

I had occasion this summer, on two Sundays, to attend services with our church plant congregations. I'm glad to report that congregational song is alive and well in these newer, younger, churches. Fellowship was warm and vibrant, the preaching was good, and I felt very much at home in both settings.

Many of you know that our first church plant, Holy Trinity Church, Chicago (Hyde Park) has now rhizomed (not a real verb, sorry) three additional congregations: Downtown, West side and North side. More are sure to come as the church reaches into more and more of the city's neighborhoods and communities. I have yet to visit the newest, on the north side. But in every setting of Holy Trinity I have sensed the "DNA" of College Church, expressed appropriate to their settings, membership, and outreach focus. And they all have music presented with satisfying quality.

Our closest church is New Covenant, in Naperville. This church is closest in several ways: chronologically, geographically, service structure and feel, and personnel! You will recall that a significant number of musicians were core members in New Covenant, and it really shows in their services. Even in the middle of July, the service had a nice "College Church" feel to it.

The musical styles were quite different between these two experiences. But in both places, music worked as ministry of the Word, and at the Holy Trinity service Downtown I was reminded of a great Charles Wesley hymn text which we need to be sure to sing in the coming weeks. Now, I have to say ... we will not be singing it to the tune and arrangement used downtown. (That's another issue altogether!) But it is a potent hymn, and I am eager to have our own congregation sing it soon. (Yes, I'll say it ... to a better tune.)

Arise, my soul, arise,
shake off your guilty fears;
the bleeding Sacrifice
in my behalf appears;
before the throne my Surety stands,
my name is written on his hands.
    He ever lives above,
    for me to intercede,
    his all-redeeming love,
    his precious blood to plead;
    his blood atoned for every race,
    and sprinkles now the throne of grace.
Five bleeding wounds he bears,
received on Calvary;
they pour effectual prayers,
they strongly plead for me.
"Forgive him, oh forgive," they cry,
"nor let that ransomed sinner die!"
    My God is reconciled;
    his pardoning voice I hear;
    he owns me for his child,
    I can no longer fear;
    with confidence I now draw nigh,
    and "Father, Abba, Father!" cry.

Charles Wesley, 1742 (alt. 1961)

And now, as I type these words out, I realize why they have stuck with me so strongly over the past month. They resonate, they come from, they echo, the Romans 8 passage of our Anchor Memory program!

Our newest church plant is beginning to pick up steam. It will be in Lombard, with Pastor Jeff Brewer. Jeff is warm-hearted, dynamic, engaging ... and a real hymn lover. We can look forward to hearing, and singing, the ministry of the Word, with our friends in Lombard from this coming Easter.

By the way, in case you didn't click the link above: a rhizome is a characteristically horizontal stem of a plant, growing beneath or along the ground, from which new shoots of a plant take root and grow. Rhizomes are why it's almost impossible for us to get rid of the ribbon grass in my back yard. On the positive side, rhizomes are how certain herbs and perennial flowers keep flourishing. It is a good metaphor for a church plant, and for our own witness of the gospel.

Sing on!

The well built church

I didn't set out to run a mini-series of Scandanavian hymns. But after last week's "promise" of a Danish hymn, I may as well in fact complete the summer that way!

This summer I have been teaching on the subject of "worship" to the young adult congregation. It has been a wide-ranging discussion, from Romans 12 - our lives as worship - to the Psalm headings and what they may teach us about music in worship. From "psalms, hymns and spiritual songs" to the tension between the Regulative and Hooker principles for worship. I've had a lot of fun, and I hope it has been helpful.

It is in the context of that teaching that this Danish hymn presents itself today. If you ask people to identify a "Danish hymn" - non-Danes are going to name this one. Oh, and by the way, don't be distracted by the Norwegian composer of the tune for this hymn: the political history of the Scandanavian countries is so intermingled that in this case it is hardly significant. (With apologies to Scandanavians, for whom nothing about those political histories is insignificant!) Ultimately, in Christ, even the Scandanavians are joined as one.

Built on the Rock the church doth stand,
even when steeples are falling;
crumbled have spires in every land,
bells still are chiming and calling,
calling the young and old to rest,
but above all the soul distressed,
longing for life everlasting.
    Surely in temples made with hands,
    God the most high is not dwelling;
    high above earth his temple stands,
    all earthly temples excelling.
    Yet he whom heaven cannot contain
    chose to abide on earth with men,
    built in our bodies his temple.
We are God's house of living stones,
built for his own habitation;
he fills our hearts, his humble thrones,
granting us life and salvation;
were two or three to seek his face,
he in his midst would show his grace,
blessings upon them bestowing.
    Now we may gather with our King
    even in the lowliest dwelling;
    praises to him we there may bring,
    his wondrous mercy forth-telling.
    Jesus his grace to us accords;
    Spirit and life are all his words;
    his truth doth hallow the temple.

Nicolai F. S. Grundtvig (1837);

trans. Carl Doving (1909); adapt. Fred C. M. Hansen (1927)

Pastor Grundtvig was a contemporary of the Danish Christian philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard, who told the story of a  highly placed clergyman, preaching to a wealthy audience in the state church. "In the splendid cathedral, the high, well-born, highly honored, and worthy Geheime-General-Ober-Hof-Preacher [note from CK: here the author is dripping with sarcasm], the chosen darling of the important people, steps before a select circle of the select, and movingly sermonizes on a text chosen by himself, namely, 'God has chosen the lowly and despised of the earth'—and no one laughs." (quoted in Joachim Garff's biography of Kierkegaard) Today's hymn is in fact the appropriate "sermon hymn" for that pretentious preacher's text.

In that spirit, in the true temple,

Sing on!

The Earth Adorned

At the risk of being mistaken as a Scandanavian (a risk I'm happy to take, by the way), this week's hymn again comes from the lands to the north. This time from Sweden (just to be fair). Denmark may well be next, but I'm not sure I have one from Finland or Lapland!

But first, these words from Warren Wiersbe: "In my early years as a Christian, I was often upset when I attended a service where 'creation hymns' were sung. 'The important thing is the cross!' I would argue. 'Let the liberals sing about the birds and flowers!' How wrong I was! I did not realize then as I do now that the God of creation and the God of salvation are the same God, and that these must not be divorced from each other." (Real Worship, p. 53. Pastor Wiersbe's book on worship explores the topic through the four songs in the Revelation. I am glad to see it is still in print!)

I have found this insight very helpful as a worship planner. It has reconciled me to the inner stanzas of "Fairest Lord Jesus," for example. (Though to be complete, that hymn requires its usually-omitted 4th stanza.) It has also helped me look at and consider the entire hymn text of "creation hymns." Do they end with creation itself, or point to the Creator? Of course, that is the crux of the matter (pun intended).

And so, to today's hymn, "The Earth Adorned (Psalm of Summer)" by Waldemar Ahlen.

The earth adorned in verdant robe
sends praises upward surging,
while soft winds breathe on fragrant flowers
from winter now emerging.
The sunshine bright gives warmth and light
to budding blossoms tender,
proclaiming summer splendor.
    From out the wood, the birds now sing
    and each its song now raises,
    to join with all the universe
    in voicing thankful praises.
    With hope and joy their songs employ
    a rapturous exultation
    in praise of God's creation.
O God, amid these joys of life,
creation's glory beaming,
grant us the grace to keep your word
and live in love redeeming.
All flesh is grass, the flowers fade,
and time is fleeting ever;
God's word remains forever.

Waldeman Ahlen (trans. Carolyn and Kenneth Jennings)

(c) 1934/1974 Walton Music Corporation

Note how the text admires and respects the natural order. And how it turns our admiraion to "a rapturous exultation in praise of God's creation" - that is, from the creation to its Creator. And then in a very biblical turn, and without undoing this proper wonder in the face of natural beauty, it points us to what is truly everlasting. All flesh is grass, the flowers fade, time is fleeting - but the word of our God abides forever. Here is a proper and deep Christian "creation hymn." And an apt one for this time of year!

Sing on!