We go to a Hymn Sing (with snacks!)

Northwest Church, Fresno, California

Something that intrigued us last year when we were visiting churches in every state, was the number of churches that targeted young people, but used hymns in worship. We went to several urban churches with congregations composed primarily of those in their twenties and thirties that used works by Watts and Wesley, along with other hymnists old and new. Often the hymns had new settings, and they weren't accompanied by an organ but rather by a worship band with electric guitars and drums.

We were at Northwest Church’s Primetimers last Saturday afternoon, and Pastor Bob asked the group, “How many of you love the old hymns?” I do believe everyone raised their hands. This wasn’t much of a surprise, because the event was, after all, a hymn sing. We’d heard the event announced at the 11:00 am “Live and Loud” worship service the Sunday before, and we decided we wanted to go. The music at Sunday’s service had not been hymns. As was true of most large churches we’ve visited in the Fresno area (especially those targeting young families), they mainly sang choruses with the worship band’s volume to eleven.

Saturday’s Hymn Sing was an event designed for those of retirement age (besides the sound guy, I’d guess we were the youngest in attendance). When we entered, we were greeted by many, and Margaret invited us to sit at her table. In the announcement we’d heard in Sunday’s service, the event was called a dessert potluck. But Pizza Hut was on the table, so we asked about that. “Some people in the group are diabetic,”  Margaret answered, “so we opened it up to finger food.” Mindy and I both regretted having eaten lunch already -- not that it stopped us from filling up our plates. (Mindy brought churro cream puffs with apple pie filling, by the way.)

There was lively conversation around the table. Bill and Kay sat next to me, and Bill mentioned that they too had been to all fifty states. He talked about churches he’d visited in various places. Usually, they’d been greeted warmly (he remembered a Methodist Church with a woman pastor that he’d happily revisit) but one church in their travels was an exception. Everyone treated them cooly, and the only reason they could figure for this was that Kay had been wearing slacks, while all the other women wore dresses.

I asked if Primetimers was the name of a Sunday School class in the church and was told it wasn’t. Primetimers is the name for special events for seniors. Still, most of those at the hymn sing attend the same 9:30 Sunday School class after attending the 8:00 am traditional worship service (with a choir and orchestra and “a mix of classic and contemporary music” according to the church website).

The hymn sing was the fifth of six Primetimers events this year. Several women at the table spoke enthusiastically about the Super Souper, a soup potluck, a challenging event where it’s difficult to try everything. The only remaining gathering this year is a Veteran’s Day event which will feature a Honor Guard.

While we ate, Bob (not Pastor Bob Small who organized the event) played the piano. We were told Bob played the organ at the 8:00 am worship service, and his work was greatly appreciated and admired by the group. Senior pastor Will Stoll wasn’t at the event, but it was obvious that his work was appreciated by the group. Their love for Pastor Bob, whose ministry is to the senior adults, was also very much apparent.

After people had an hour to talk and eat, Pastor Bob went to the stage and thanked Bob for his work on the piano. He passed out the “Red Backed Hymnal” which he described as the go to book for classic hymns -- though it didn’t have all the old classic hymns. It didn’t have “It Is Well With My Soul,” so a printed handout with that hymn was passed out. (The book did have the song, “Tell Mother I’ll be There,” but we didn’t sing that one.) Pastor Bob introduced Virgil, who would be leading the group in singing what Virgil said were “all your favorites.”

We sang “Victory in Jesus” which apparently was a favorite of a former staff member at Northwest and once was quite a favorite in the church. Before singing “It is Well,” Virgil had us read through the lyrics aloud, and Virgil made remarks about the hymn, a short little sermon. “It is well with our souls. The longer we live, the less well it is with our bodies,” he added.

“Amazing Grace” was introduced as “America’s Hymn” which I think is an apt description. (I think that’s true even when it is sung to the tune of “House of the Rising Sun” or the theme to “Gilligan’s Island”. Not surprisingly, the original tune was used here.)

We noticed as we sang that one or two people at our table signed along. We learned later that a woman at our table has a son who is deaf, and that Bill taught sign language.  We enjoyed talking about the challenges of translation when the singing was done.

We had a good time with the friendly and welcoming people of the Primetimers. It’s good to hear the “grand old hymns of the faith” kept alive. I’m sure we’ll sing these songs in Heaven along with some Jars of Clay, U2 -- and possibly Stryper.

Statistics

Service Length: 1 hour 43 minutes (from prayer for the meal to the end of the hymn sing)

“Sermon” Length: 6 minutes

Visitor Treatment: Before we even came in, a woman greeted us. Someone helped us put our dessert on the table, and Margaret invited us to sit at her table. Nobody seemed “assigned” to greet visitors, but quite a few people welcomed us and invited us to come back.

Followup by Tuesday Morning: none

Our Rough Count: 33

Probable Ushers’ Count: 35

Snacks: Three tables covered with desserts, salads, little sandwiches, and deviled eggs; decaf and water.

Musicians: keyboard (man)

Songs: “Blessed Assurance”

“Power in the Blood”

“At the Cross”

“The Old Rugged Cross”

“Victory in Jesus”

“When we all get to Heaven”

“Just a Little Talk with Jesus”

“Have Thine Own Way, Lord”

“It is Well with my Soul”

“Amazing Grace”

Distance to Church: 5 miles

Open WiFi: no

Tie/Suit Count: none

Church Website: www.nwc.org

3 Alternate Hymn Versions we Heard During 2015

When I was growing up, Morning has Broken was in the hymnal our church used, but whenever it was mentioned, someone was sure to say, "It's not the Cat Stevens version, you know." I never quite understood what the deal was; to me, the song was the song -- I didn't particularly notice variations in arrangement.

Over the past ten years or so, classic hymns have been adapted to a worship style that's more drums and guitars than piano and organ, and even I've noticed. In addition, hymn variations and new songs that use some hymn lyrics seem to be more common than the original versions.

Here are three variants we've heard this year:

1. Amazing Grace / My Chains are Gone 

2. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing (Mumford and Sons version)

3. Fairest Lord Jesus (to the tune of Morning has Broken, but no mention of Cat Stevens)

-- Mindy

4 Thoughts about Church Music

This weekend we visited two different churches, arriving (we thought) about half an hour before the worship services were scheduled to begin. At one church the worship team was practicing; at the other, an earlier worship service was concluding recorded music was broadcast outside the building. From both, music could be heard from the parking lot. As we approach Christmas, with carols and other seasonal music in the air, (and as Dean and I anticipate focusing on music this next month) I got to thinking about church music.

Here are  a few thoughts based on a quick search for the word "music" in the Bible (I used the New International Reader's Version, since it uses simpler language).

1. Volume  In many churches, music is pretty loud. When I was about five, sitting in the front row at Historic First Presbyterian Church in East Cleveland with the rest of the children's choir, I remember huddling in the corner of the pew while the adult choir sang, covering my ears even though the songs were usually hymns sung to organ accompaniment. So loud. I empathise with those who find current church music too loud, but I confess I rather like it now. And loud music seems to have been part of worship for a very long time: 2 Chronicles 30:21 (...They praised the LORD with loud musical instruments. The instruments had been set apart to the LORD.), Psalm 98:4 (Shout for joy to the LORD, everyone on earth. Burst into joyful songs and make music.), and Psalm 47:1 (For the director of music. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. Clap your hands, all you nations. Shout to God with cries of joy.)

2. Content  I tend to prefer songs that are more about God: His goodness, His saving mercy, His power, His sovereignty. Other people like songs that reflect their own experiences. Scripture (especially the book of Psalms) shows people singing about pretty much everything. I guess we should, too. Psalm 104:33 says, "I will sing to the LORD all my life. I will sing praise to my God as long as I live."

3. Audience Participation  This one's pretty fun, actually, because the Bible lists lots of people who were professional worship musicians (like all those Levites who made music day and night), and it lists a number of enthusiastic amateurs (like King David). But those aren't the only people making music in the Bible. There are verses about women singing praises to God (among a number of other examples, in Exodus 15, after the Israelites escaped from Egypt by crossing the sea on dry ground, Miriam and "all the women" played tambourines and danced and sang, "Sing to the LORD. He is greatly honored. He has thrown Pharaoh's horses and chariot drivers into the Red Sea.") I'm always a little sad when I look around in a worship service and see only a few people joining the worship team to sing.

4.Purpose Is music in a worship service for the benefit of the people worshiping, or for the glory of God? (easy answer: yes) How about this from Ephesians 5:19? "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord."

Whether you sing loudly (I think bad singing adds a non-traditional layer of harmony -- but then again, I'm often the off-key singer) or quietly in your heart (or anywhere in between), the important thing is making music to the Lord. So as we're looking at music in churches this coming month, watch (and listen) for your favorites!

-- Mindy