Sermon for September 30, 2018 
Read Psalm98 and Philippians4:4-9 I have a confession to make. I am not a particularly musical person. I can usually hit the right notes if I know the song well enough, but I am mediocre at best when it comes to reading music and I have no rhythm whatsoever. Despite well meaning music teachers and the best efforts of musical people in my life, I am just not very musical.
But the exception for me has always been church. In worship, I sing out and I sing out loudly. Part of that is because I grew up in the church and so I know many of the hymns by heart. But mostly it’s because singing in worship isn’t about me.
When people of faith worship, each piece of music, whether it is choral or instrumental, is directed toward God. In other words, when we sing, we offer God a gift. So in terms of worship, it doesn’t matter if you are an accomplished singer, or merely making a joyful noise to the Lord. All of it can be part of the sincere praise we are called to offer up to the One who loves us and gives us life.
Music, after all, is a thing of beauty and emotion that provides a way to express our feelings to God. It provides a way to sing out loud and strong. It unites us as one harmonized voice and reminds us that our focus on worship is not just on ourselves. Victor Hugo said, "Music expresses that which cannot be said but on which it is impossible to remain silent."
As our first psalm says, all of creation offers up hymns of praise to God. Music is it’s own joyful prayer lifting up to God our great gratitude and thanks for all that we have been given. Or it’s a prayer of lament, beseeching God to help. This worship service we are especially lifting up music, and celebrating the hard work of Joe and Sarah and the choir, but every worship service is full of music because it is such an essential part of worshipping God.
That is not to say that we do not benefit from hearing sacred music or singing a hymn or spiritual song. We can be moved to tears or injected with courage; we can be drawn closer to God or inspired to action. Sacred music can give voice to deep longings or help us gain a new perspective; it can calm our soul and create internal peace or revive our hope in a new day. Music is a gift we give to God, but it’s also a gift God gives to us.
Martin Luther once said, "Music is a fair and lovely gift of God which has often wakened and moved me to the joy of preaching… Next after theology, I give to music the highest place and greatest honor… My heart bubbles up and overflows in response to music, which has so often refreshed me and delivered me from dire plagues"
Studies have shown over and over again the impact music has on our moods and on our health. It reduces stress, lessens anxiety, improves memory, improves exercise, eases pain and improves our mood. Music is good for us!
Many people don’t think they know very much theology, or haven’t memorized large tracts of the Bible. But, if we think of the hymns we know by heart, we might be surprised as to how much of God’s truth and God’s Word we have committed to memory.
Often hymns, anthems and musical pieces undergird, reinforce and expand the message of Scripture and sermon. Music can take words that have been embraced by our minds and imbed them in our bones. Music can touch deep places within us and transport us to different times. That’s why some people will love a particular hymn even though they may not agree with the theology it expresses. The music resonates with them despite the words, because it carries them back to a childhood memory or a special occasion.
We all have favourite hymns that we hum. We know the words by heart. They’re meaningful because they touch our hearts. A great deal of the reason hymns touch us is the association they have with memories. Memories of worship experiences---weddings, Easter, Christmas, perhaps even funerals. Memories of listening or singing hymns at home, around campfires, in times of trouble, in times of joy.
When I visit faithful people in the last stages of their life or who are suffering from forms of dementia, one of the things I always try to do is sing Amazing grace with them. Music often reaches people where words couldn’t. I have known people who couldn’t remember anyone in their lives anymore, still be able to sing along to every word of Amazing Grace.
Music touches places in our souls that words can’t. So, even if you can’t carry a tune in a bucket, sing in worship. Offer up that part of you to God. And when listening to the music that is offered in worship, listen with your whole heart, knowing that God is sharing in your enjoyment, this day and all days. Amen.
