Congregational Song

St. Augustine is said to have proclaimed, “He who sings prays twice.” From its inception in the sixteenth century, our Anglican tradition has been one of a singing church. The music familiar to us today encompasses material from many of the world’s finest poets, hymn writers, and composers of the last several centuries. Our denomination has, over the years, absorbed the best of many musical traditions.

The main source of congregational song in most contemporary American Episcopal churches is the Hymnal 1982, which is the primary hymnal we use here at St. John’s. This hymnal draws Episcopalians together musically in much the same way that the Book of Common Prayer draws us together liturgically. The Hymnal 1982 contains seven hundred and twenty hymns, along with a plethora of other liturgical music. While some of the music contained inside dates back to medieval monastic chants, the hymnal also offers a broad selection of modern music.

The Preface to The Hymnal 1982 states:

“The Hymnal 1982 retains the best of the past and sets forth many riches of our own time. The Standing Commission on Church Music looked for theological orthodoxy, poetic beauty, and integrity of meaning. At the same time, the Commission was especially concerned that the hymnody affirm ‘the participation of all in the Body of Christ, the Church, while recognizing our diverse natures as children of God.’ … Texts and music which reflect the pluralistic nature of the Church have been included, affording the use of Native American, Afro-American, Hispanic, and Asian material.”

You’ll notice that the hymnal also includes a section of music towards the front with “S” numbers. This is the Service Music section of the hymnal. Service Music refers to portions of the written liturgy which could be said or spoken but that we often choose to sing (familiar examples include the Sanctus “Holy, holy, holy lord, God of power and might” sung during the consecration of the bread and wine, or the Gloria/Trisagion sometimes sung towards the start of the service). Any portion of the liturgy, really, can be sung. Hymns, on the other hand, are usually based on freely composed poetry or paraphrases of scripture which, while chosen to reinforce the liturgical themes of the season and the day, are not actually portions of the liturgy proper.

An average Sunday morning at St. John’s will see the congregation singing three to four hymns in addition to a variety of other service music which varies seasonally. We always sing two substantial Processional hymns, one at the start of the service and one at the end, during which the clergy, choir, and other services ministers process in or out. In addition, there is also often a Gospel hymn (also known as a Sequence Hymn) right before the reading of the Gospel, and a hymn during communion. Service music usage varies more, but usually includes at least a sung Sanctus and Fraction Anthem.

Congregational participation in singing is integral to corporate worship in the Episcopal Church and has been for centuries. The goal is always to give everyone in the congregation, regardless of musical ability or training, the vital opportunity to lift their voices together as one in prayer and praise to God.

~Timothy Tuller, Canon for Music