Wednesday, July 24, 2002
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Wednesday, July 24, 2002 |
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Will old hymns meet the same fate as the dinosaurs? By JUDY KILGORE Believe it or not, I keep some of your newsletters and bulletins for quite a while, referring to and reading them over and over from time to time. Many of the pastors' messages are inspirational in nature and some continue to give me a "boost" when I need one. Some of you include little booklets with scripture readings for special times like Easter and Christmas, and these have found their way to my bedside table for daily and nightly reading. Given John Hatcher's topic this week, I thought I'd add my two cents worth of "Hear! Hear!" in approval of what he's saying, and also share with you the words of one of your own out there Barbara Hood, music director at National Heights Baptist Church. Barbara writes fairly regularly in the church newsletter, "The Messenger," and a few months ago, had the following to say about old hymns, new contemporary 'praise' songs, and the music of the church in general. Barbara began by saying what an advantage it was to sit in the choir loft each Sunday and look out over the congregation, observing their faces during the singing. She says: "On a recent Sunday, one of the highlights of the service was to look out from the choir and to see one of the younger children in the congregation joining in every word of the 'Gloria Patri' and the 'Doxology,' as well as seriously following all of the words of the hymns that we sang. "I recalled, as a child, how those hymns and responses have stayed with me as an adult. Although I may not have understood all of the theology at that young age, those things led me to search and question the roots of our beliefs as Christians. "Because many churches in the 20th century have done away with hymnals and have substituted trite and repetitive music and choruses, our next generation will be deprived of much solid teaching which results from our church music. "Hopefully, we will not be among those who have chosen 'entertainment' for worship. May we continue to teach our wonderful children the hymns and spiritual songs that will stay with them through life, and will give them strength and joy through all phases of life." Well said, Barbara. You won't get any argument from me on that one. |
