THE FIRST LESSON Psalm 98:4-9
THE SECOND LESSON Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3;16
"Speak to one another with the words of the psalms, hymns and sacred songs;
sing hymns and psalms to the Lord with praise in your hearts . In the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ, always give thanks for every thing to God our Father."
"Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts. Everything you do or say, then, should be done in the name of the Jesus, as you give thanks through him to God the Father."
SERMON "Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Tunes?": Martin Luther, the Gospel and the Gift of Music
Worship Notes by Rev. Allan Townsend, Guest Preacher
Today is the Sixth Sunday of Eastertide, the liturgical season in which we celebrate with great joy and thanksgiving the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus from the dead. The Psalmist urges us to "Sing a new song to the Lord!" and today, with the help of the Wonderful World Jazz Band, we'll do just that. Instead of the music of Bach, Mendelssohn, Wesley, and other great old faithful hymn writers, we'll be making a joyful noise to the Lord with the music of Duke Ellington, Thomas "Fats" Waller, Thomas A. Dorsey, Meredeth Willson, and a few African-American spirituals--music from the tradition of American jazz.
This weekend marks the 20th Annual Capital City Jazz Fest here in Madison. In honor of that event, Westminster Presbyterian has joined with the Madison Jazz Society to sponsor this morning's jazz liturgy. Many people's first response to jazz liturgy is the eyebrow-lifting question, "Jazz in church?" But the Wonderful World Jazz Band always reminds people that when jazz comes to church, it comes not as a stranger, but as an old friend. Many of the early jazz musicians received their early musical training in the church. "Fats" Waller learned to play organ at a famous Baptist Church in New York City. Thomas A. Dorsey, the father of the Black Gospel movement ("Precious Lord, Take My Hand"), was the music director for the legendary jazz blues singer, Ma Rainey; and composer/bandleader Duke Ellington spent much of his senior career doing jazz liturgies in churches all across the county, culminating in his Jazz Mass Composition. These are just a few examples to illustrate that when jazz comes to church, it is really coming home.
Music has always played a central role in the Hebrew/Christian religious traditions. The Gospels report that when Jesus finished celebrating the Last Supper with His disciples, they sang a hymn before going to the Garden for their final vigil. Our New Testament readings for today encourage us to sing hymns and spiritual songs to uplift our spirits and to give support to one another. God's gift of music has never been more fervently embraced than by the 16th Century theologian and church reformer, Martin Luther. The morning sermon will focus in part on Luther's musical contributions to the church and to modern music.
Finally, beside the scripture, sermon, hymns, and spiritual songs, there are two liturgical prayer affirmations written by Presbyterian poet and writer, Ann Weems, of St. Louis, MO. Ann's positive, life-affirming writings have been an inspiration for many contemporary Christians. And, of course, St. Francis of Assisi's famous prayer, framed on the wall in the lower level of Westminster Church, can never be prayed enough. It is what it means to be a Christian.
