Synopsis of the Class (September 1, 2013)
Basic Biblical Pattern of Reformed Worship: God’s INITIATION to humankind; humankind’s RESPONSE to God
Earliest Records of music in worship music in the Jewish Temple and Synagogue
Temple – heart of worship was the sacrifice; highly trained professional musicians (Levites); conservative worship; strict guidelines for music; proscribed forms; little spontaneity; singing, dancing, playing instruments including percussion instruments; highly ritualized; Psalms sung; Temple worshipers viewed Synagogue worshipers as crude, ill-educated
Synagogue – worship for the common people; exuberant, highly charged worship, music was very similar to that heard in the Souk; greater freedom in worship, use of a wide variety of instruments; ecstatic dance; place of instruction in the faith; many more Synagogues than Temples; Psalms sung
Music of the Christian Tradition directly influenced by the Jewish worship in Synagogue and Temple
Synagogue, Temple in Apostolic times (Jesus’ life and 150 or so years after) were often Christian; eg. liturgy might be Jewish or Christian or an amalgam of the two in spite of being called a Synagogue or Temple
Music was an important part of ‘sailing the message,’ especially in the young Christian Church
Late in the 2nd century AD, liturgy and music began to be more independent from the Jewish models. Eucharist is central to Christian worship and is becoming more standardized between Christian Churches and communities
Around AD 1053, Christian church split into East (Greek) and West (Latin) branches.(“Great Schism”); Each developed its own musical and liturgical styles; some similar as well as contrasting forms and music
@ 280-337 AD, Constantine I: Edict of Milan (AD 313) establishes permanent tolerance of Christianity, followed in AD 325 by Council of Nicaea
Dark Ages, roughly AD 350-900, growth of Plainsong Chant, directly influenced by Hebrew chant: Byzantine chant in the East and Latin in the West; flourishing time for theologians, church leaders and sacred music
AD 1517, Martin Luther, Catholic, Augustinian Monk, posts his “95 Theses of Contention” on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. Catalyst for Protestant Reformation
Churches of Reformed Tradition strongly influenced by the Latin (Western) Christian tradition
For first 1,400 years, Church was center for education, the arts, societal structure
Liturgy, a form or formulary according to which public worship is conducted
Based on Isaiah 6:1-8, known as the “Classic Design for Worship”
Adoration, Exultation, Vision of God (vs. 1-4); Confession, Penitence, Humility, absolution (v. 5); Renewal (vs. 6-7); Dedication (vs. 8)
Music is a volatile agent in the Church and has remained so throughout the history of the Christian Church. Subjective; Personal; Familiar vs. Unfamiliar. Everyone has an opinion.
Sacred Music exists to reinforce, teach, guide, and point the way by offering in an objective manner, an interpretation, example, a pathway toward a greater understanding of the written and spoken word. Music is considered prayer. It moves beyond mere words and by such can allow glimpses into things eternal, things unexplainable and incomprehensible.
Words are not necessary for prayer.
Music is not necessary for worship, however music can guide the worshiper smoothly through the liturgy as a commentary on the written and spoken word.
Music in worship is not performance. A more theological term is ‘offering.’ This is why applause in worship is discouraged. Our worship is to God, not a performance for each other. It is an added grace to ‘like’ the music realizing that it is aimed to God, not for us or our worshiping sisters and brothers.
Lectionary serves to unify us with churches around the world. 4 separate lections assigned for every Sunday in a rotating 3 year cycle. (There is also a daily lectionary with lections assigned for every day in the year in a rotating 2 year cycle). We generally use the Common Lectionary (Revised) Consultation on Common Texts (CCT), developed by an ecumenical forum among several Protestant denominations.
Rhythm of the Ecclesiastical Year, aka Liturgical Year or Church Year
Hymn – poetry, usually strophic in nature, addressed about or to God offering praise, asking forgiveness, corporate in nature, more objective than subjective. Hymn does not depend on the music to convey the meaning. In the Reformed tradition, all music is considered sung prayer. The word ‘hymn’ comes the Greek, hymnos, “a song of praise.”
Song – generally addressed to motivate and encourage believers, rather than directly addressed to God; often simple verse and refrain model; music is essential for the text, eg. the text is weak without the musical setting.
Hymns to be sung are carefully chosen around certain criteria: Processional/Opening Hymn: Hymn of Praise, generally of triumphant nature; Sermon Hymn: Topical to the sermon; Recessional/Closing Hymn: Dedication, Renewal, generally of triumphant nature
Choir exists to offer sung prayer, both in leading the congregation in sung prayer but also through singing of more intricate music than would be possible for the congregation as a whole. Choral music is chosen based on the Lectionary. Sometimes choral texts are verbatim from scripture; paraphrases of scripture; complimentary texts
Eclectic selection of choral repertoire from plainsong to present day composers, commissioning new music
8:30 and 11:00 services each have their own personality:
8:30 is less formal, more subjective; more intimate; always a Eucharist; usually no choir; often with music solos or small ensembles; purposefully structured for people who prefer a simpler form of worship; takes place in West Transept (side chapel)
11:00 is formal, more objective; highly ritualized; makes use of liturgical movement; with vested choir(s) and clergy; Eucharist about 14 times per year; takes place in the Nave
Importance of silence as well as sound
Preparing One’s self for worship:
Enter the Sanctuary early and use the time to read the hymn, psalm and anthem texts; read the prayers; read the scriptures; notice the color of the paraments on the pulpit and lectern and the liturgical date in the bulletin (not a program!)
Sing the hymns; verbally participate in the corporate prayers and responses; Use all your senses to enter the drama; Notice the symbolism that surrounds you: Cruciform building; high ceilings; live acoustic; stained glass; listen to the prelude; note the importance of lectern (Word Read), pulpit (Word Proclaimed), Baptismal Font (Sacrament of Holy Baptism) and the Holy Table (Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper)
Tower Bells are representative of God’s presence in the community
In November, I will be teaching a series about the new Presbyterian hymnal, “Glory to God,” 2013. We anticipate delivery at the end of September.