The Church’s Song Goes On

Some organists have a habit of writing in their sheet music the date the piece was used in a worship service. I am not one of those organists.

As I practiced for Sunday worship today (Saturday) I was sight reading some Advent preludes by Michael Burkhardt. The book was familiar and well worn from my yearly use and prior to that of my organ mentor. What struck me, though, had never occurred until today. I was playing Burkhardt’s prelude on “Once He Came in Blessing” and then I noticed the date when my mentor last played it — 10 years ago today.

Most dates wouldn’t mean too much to me.  This one did.  It was the day my dad suffered from cardiac arrest and medical complications which led to his passing a few days later.  This Burkhardt piece reminded me that the church’s song goes on in our communities and congregations around the world — even when we individually are absent from worship.  The prayers and songs of the faithful continually ascend to God and each other.

As night turns to day this Saturday night and Sunday morning, the faithful awake and make their way to their place of worship and sing the church’s songs.  As one song ends in one place, another is started or overlaps with the first.  A massed choir, though separated geographically, united in a common message.  If you’re in an LCMS church on the 4th Sunday of Advent it’s likely we might all be singing the Hymn of the Day “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”  There is comfort in the unity of a common hymnody and song.  It is fitting, then, to close with the final stanza of this fine hymn.

O Come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel! (LSB 357 st. 7)

Related posts:

1. The LCMS 100 “Song” Study: Part 1
2. Fourth Sunday in Advent
3. LCMS Approves 100 "Worship / Praise" Songs
4. Satan and the Church
5. Swan Song for the Piano?