  |
|||
|
|
 
|
|
|
 |
|||
Articles from Grace Notes
August 24, 2010
Hymns About the Lord's Supper
by Stacy Deibler
Over the next several months, we’ll be sampling more hymns from the rich collection in Evangelical Lutheran Worship, the new ELCA hymnal and worship guide. On Sunday, Aug. 29 alone, we will sing three ELW compositions by the distinguished 20th century hymn writers Carl Daw, Brian Wren and Sylvia Dunstan.
Published in 2009, the “new” red book includes a mixture of traditional and contemporary hymns, many new settings of the liturgy, a daily lectionary and other worship resources. The hymn collection spans several centuries, and includes selections from many nations and ethnic traditions. Some lyrics are in Spanish.
The hymns for August 29, all focusing on the Lord’s Supper, were written by an American, a Englishman and a Canadian. The hymn of the day, “As We Gather at Your Table" (522), is by Carl Daw, an American scholar and minister widely honored for his contributions to congregational song. Daw retired in 2009 as executive director of the Hymn Society of the United States and Canada.
An Episcopal priest, Daw began writing hymns as a member of the text committee for the 1982 Episcopal hymnal. Today, his joyful, brightly written texts are found in the hymnals of most denominations. “As We Gather” is based on a Dutch melody, arranged by Julius Rontgen (1855-1933).
The first distribution hymn for communion, “All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly" (461), is by the late Sylvia Dunstan (1955-1993), a pastor and administrator in the United Church of Canada. Dunstan began writing poetry and hymns in her youth. She was a gifted hymnal editor. “All Who Hunger,” published shortly before Dunstan’s untimely death, implores us in simple, passionate language to “taste and see that God is good.” The words are set to “Holy Manna,” an Appalachian tune.
The second communion hymn, “I Come With Joy" (482), is the work of England’s Brian Wren. Ordained in the Congregational Church of England and Wales, Wren now teaches at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. Wren is widely known for his workshops, lectures and books on congregational song and worship enrichment. His texts, often touching on contemporary themes, are used by many denominations. “Dove of Peace,” the familiar tune for “I Come with Joy,” is from William Walker’s famous hymn collection, “Southern Harmony.”
Health and Wellness Ministry
A Baby-Friendly Church
by Gwen Gotsch
Who isn’t happy to see a baby in church? That is, a baby who is quiet, or sleeping, or just about to be baptized. Crying, fretful babies are harder to welcome. Their restlessness disturbs adults, which is, in a way, a good thing. Adults respond to noisy babies by picking them up, feeding them, talking to them—part of God’s plan for giving tiny humans what they need to grow and develop.
However, not all of those activities are compatible with formal worship services, which is why fathers and mothers of infants head for the narthex, the atrium, or the nursery when their babies begin to babble, climb, or wail. But what about babies who are hungry? Formula-feeding parents pull a bottle out of the diaper bag and listen to the sermon while feeding the baby in the pew. Breastfeeding mothers wonder what to do. Nurse the baby in church? Look for a private place somewhere else in the building? Pump milk at home and bring it in a bottle? Hope the baby will be content with a pacifier until the service is over? Not all babies will put up with a pacifier or a bottle in place of the real thing, and not all mothers feel good about offering a substitute. There are quiet places to nurse a baby at Grace. One private option is to exit the church by the baptismal font, turn left into the sacristy, and go through the door to the preschool classroom (the former church nursery). There’s a rocking chair and speakers broadcasting the service. The church library is another possible destination for nursing mothers and babies. The nursery on the lower level of the new building also has comfortable chairs, but less privacy and more commotion.
The easiest solution may be simply to nurse the baby in church. A blanket, or a strategic choice of clothing ensures discretion. As baby breastfeeds into contentment, mother still gets to hear the sermon and continue to feel part of the worshiping community. Plus she avoids the disruption of a hasty exit down the aisle.
Some might ask, isn’t breastfeeding too intimate an activity for the church sanctuary? The question is a symptom of our culture’s (and even of churches’) distorted view of breasts and sexuality. God created women’s bodies to provide the perfect, convenient food for their babies, and babies were made to feed often throughout the day. It’s a social encounter, not a sexual one. Old Testament writers used images of mothers comforting babies at the breast to describe God’s relationship with Israel. Seeing and welcoming breastfeeding mothers and babies—welcoming all parents and babies—is a way of affirming God’s goodness and tender care for us, his—or “her”--people.
Gwen Gotsch, Grace’s Communications Coordinator, is a former La Leche League Leader and the editor and author of several books about breastfeeding.
The Back Page
Thin Places
by the Rev. Michael D. Costello, Cantor
Martin Luther once wrote:
“When I look at all the saints . . . the story is the same. I can hear voices of rejoicing in their tabernacles, joyous songs and hymns of salvation and victory . . . and we sing along and join in the praise and thanks, just as we are one in our faith and trust in God.”
At the Great Thanksgiving, the presiding minister sings: “With the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn.” At that moment our voices are joined with all the company of heaven—Mary Magdalene and Peter and all the witnesses of the resurrection, angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, and all the saints in glory. We join in their unending hymn: “Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory.”
There are times in the Christian life when the veil between heaven and earth is almost nonexistent. Celtic spirituality talks about these times as “thin places.” The veil is so thin that we can almost see and taste heaven itself. Perhaps the thinnest of all the thin places for us as Christians is at the Eucharistic table. At the Holy Communion, we enjoy the full substance of Jesus in bread and wine. His body and blood are given as gifts of grace.
In this Eucharistic foretaste of the feast to come, our faith is strengthened, our sins are forgiven, and we are given the voice to sing with all the saints in glory until that perfect day when we stand before God’s throne and see him face to face.
Read columns and articles from previous issues of Grace Notes
