Introduce a new hymnal in a denomination and you may have to stand back to avoid getting attacked, as folks discover which favorite old hymns were eliminated in favor of “obscure” new music. The Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod churches are getting their first new hymnal in a long time, and only the fifth version since the 2.5 million-member denomination was formed in 1847.In its materials introducing the change, there is no indication about what choices had to be made for removal. If it is a typical denomination, there will be fallout from what was taken out to make room for more contemporary hymns. Across Christendom, there is the drive to modernize texts of hymns, especially to diminish the sexism and often militancy of “Old Time Religion hymns.
On Sunday in St. Louis, they roll out The Lutheran Service Book for a grand hymn festival to showcase the hymnal that will shape worship for decades to come. A 120-voice choir and 26-piece orchestra will perform selected hymns in the book that has been in development since 1988. The book is described as a rich compilation of completely updated services, psalms, hymns and prayers that will serve worshipers for generations to come.
Next to the Bible and (Martin) Luthers Small Catechism, nothing has done more through all generations to shape the faith of Lutheran Christians than the hymnal, says the Rev. Dr. Paul Grime, executive director of the LCMS Commission on Worship and the books project director. Hundreds of hymn texts present the truths of Scripture in meaningful, artistic poetry and represent the theology of countless saints throughout the centuries. The church today learns from the song, both past and present. The hymnal is said to have more than 100 new hymns — some from other countries and some in original Spanish and German languages.
It is described as a hymnal for every generation. Here are titles of new songs: Lord, Support Us All Day Long; Gracious God, You Send Great Blessings; Lord Jesus Christ, the Childrens Friend; Heavenly Hosts in Ceaseless Worship; O Christ, Who Shared Our Mortal Life; and Lift Up Your Heads, You Everlasting Doors. Perhaps some of these will catch fire in peoples souls and become hymn standards like How Great Thou Art or Lamb of God.
Hymn texts dating from the third and fourth centuries can be found next to texts and tunes written as recently as three years ago, it notes. The new hymnal, like those of many faiths, especially mainline denominations, contains worship service resources and lectionaries for use in all occasions in the church.
Jason Shelton, writing about Unitarians and Universalists adoption of hymnbooks in the 1950s, noted, A hymnbook represents the theological and ecclesial self-understanding of a religious movement at a particular moment in history … They serve as proselytization tools for visitors to our churches by making statements about our common values and beliefs through the theological content of our hymn texts and the variety of musical traditions whence we draw our tunes. He said when a denomination is changing hymnals more often than others, it suggests greater evolving because members find the current one doesnt quite capture the essence of who and what we are anymore.
May Missouri Synod Lutherans find enormous joy and insight as they weekly flip the pages and sing gloriously from the words before them.
