Does the benefits God gives through worship depend on what we do, what God does, or perhaps a little of both?

I am currently reading The Fire and the Staff: Lutheran Theology in Practice by Klemet Preus. One particular passage resonated with me as a church musician, even though Preus’ example refers to parents with young children.

I have often been asked if sins are forgiven in the Sacrament even when you are not paying attention or are distracted. I always say, “Yes. You ate the body of Jesus. You drank His blood. These were poured out for the forgiveness of sins. . . . Even if you do not concentrate on it, you are forgiven. Sometimes the Lord’s Supper is the only thing in the service that young parents can receive. It is always a forgiving meal of grace. The objective gift of grace is imparted even to distracted parents.

Absolution is, likewise, always powerful. You don’t have to add something to absolution to make it a powerful work of God. It is not powerful sometimes or only if other conditions are met. All that needed to be done was done. We are absolved because of Jesus on the cross. (Preus, 99-100)

As an organist, it is not unusual for my focus on Sunday morning to be drifting over the order of service, the hymns, the liturgy, and the instrumental pieces throughout the service. What’s coming next? How am I introducing this hymn?

Sometimes it “feels” like I’ve served God’s people with my musical gifts, but I was distracted during the Divine Service. Thank God that God’s gifts don’t depend on me, my state of mind, or anything I do — otherwise organists would be in a sad state of affairs. As Preus so consistently reminds the reader, we receive God’s gifts passively by faith which in itself is a gift of God.