CREEDE HINSHAW: The most inspiring element of worship

There is one element of weekly worship that always inspires me. It may not be what you think.

The preacher can’t always inspire. Sometimes it’s the preacher’s fault: he/she meanders, gets theological or dwells too long on Mesopotamia. Other times, it’s the listener’s fault. The mind wanders; life crowds in.

Prayers don’t always hit the mark, musicians sometimes play off-key, the choir will rarely sound like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the piano may need tuning, the quartet should have rehearsed, the liturgist goes through the motions, etc., etc.

It is nigh impossible for any single element to inspire the worshiper week in and week out.

But for me, there is one element of weekly worship that almost always inspires me. It is when I get to sing church hymns with the congregation. I will never be asked to sing in a church choir and will never be a soloist. But beginning Sunday morning worship by singing with other people gives me a great boost every week.

Where else does a person sing in public? I remember seeing a professional basketball game not long ago in a city where the tradition is that the ticket-holders sing the National Anthem together. What a touching moment! That rarely happens today. And, yes, fans sing “Take me out to the Ball Game” at Wrigley Field. But there are few opportunities to sing out loud with the person who stands next to you.

That’s too bad, because most people, unless they are way too intimidated, enjoy singing, even if it’s only karaoke. Many of us sing in our automobiles, sing around the house, and sing to our children or grandchildren. We are created to sing.

In the church I attend, we begin with a well-known hymn every week, something with a strong, uplifting tune matched with lyrics that edify and motivate. Last week it was Robert Grant’s “O Worship the King” which begins with this call:

“O worship the King, all glorious above,

“O gratefully sing God’s power and God’s love,

“Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days,

“Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.”

To sing these words with other Christians is to draw near to God. The one who sings unites in faith with the rest of the congregation in devotion. Rich, poor, Democrat, Republican, young, old, gay, straight … all are united in singing praise to God.

Seasons of overwhelming grief, depression or despair will temporarily prevent worshipers from singing. There is not within the heart a melody every day. On those Sundays when one cannot make the words emerge, take heart. The congregation is singing on your behalf and in your stead.

Most Sundays, we join the song; other Sundays, we are sustained by other voices. Either way, the singing of congregational hymns and choruses becomes the most reliable, dependable part of weekly worship. This Sunday when you engage in your postmortem comments after the worship service, don’t overlook the inspiration that comes when people of faith sing together.

Email columnist Creede Hinshaw, a retired Methodist minister, at [email protected].