To Chant or not to Chant
In the process of planning for a youth service, a question came to my mind and came across a great solution. How could I encourage the congregation to quiet their hearts and prepare for worship?
I came across a Gregorian Chant CD. The songs "Angus Dei, Benedictus, and Sanctus" were my top choices. I would explain the music and have the lyrics on powerpoint (to avoid being charged with using tongues in the absence of interpretation)
Sanctus
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus
Dominus Deus Sabaoth!
Pleni suni coeli et terra gloria tua
Osanna in excelsis
Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God of Sabaoth
Heaven and earth are full of thy Glory
Hosanna in the highest
Benedictus
Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini, Osanna in excelsis
Blessed is He who cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest
Angus Dei
Angus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem.
Angus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem sempiternam
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, grant them rest
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, grant them everlasting rest.
Anyway, I solicited a few second and third opinions and decided it might not fly with a small town church in upstate New York.
Have you ever used Gregorian chant in personal or corporate worship setting. Was it effective? Can it be? Why/Why not?
I came across a Gregorian Chant CD. The songs "Angus Dei, Benedictus, and Sanctus" were my top choices. I would explain the music and have the lyrics on powerpoint (to avoid being charged with using tongues in the absence of interpretation)
Sanctus
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus
Dominus Deus Sabaoth!
Pleni suni coeli et terra gloria tua
Osanna in excelsis
Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God of Sabaoth
Heaven and earth are full of thy Glory
Hosanna in the highest
Benedictus
Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini, Osanna in excelsis
Blessed is He who cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest
Angus Dei
Angus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem.
Angus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona eis requiem sempiternam
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, grant them rest
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, grant them everlasting rest.
Anyway, I solicited a few second and third opinions and decided it might not fly with a small town church in upstate New York.
Have you ever used Gregorian chant in personal or corporate worship setting. Was it effective? Can it be? Why/Why not?
posted by JHW | 7:28 PM
4 Comments:
hmmm. sadly, i don't think the gregorian stuff would go over well in most weselyan churches.
i like the chants. i have a cd too. seems to me to be much more edifying than the usual jesus-is-my-boyfriend 90s worship songs. they also seem to be more God-focused, which gives me a greater sense of communion with the church universal.
i wish wesleyans WOULD get into chants. (then, i would be less tempted to join the eastern orthodox church)
you've been posting regularly like a good blogger, and it stinks when no one comments, so i rambled a few lines here for discussion sake.
I was going to say something the other day about chants, but couldn't think of anything intelligent to say. Now, though, I will say that I like that kind of stuff, although Jo is right in that the Wesleyan Church would probably never accept that as common thing.
I almost left the Wesleyan Church for the Episcopal Church...
There is something communicated in chants that provides a simply put vast picture of the Lord. I love them and highly recommend them for small group times or for "unique" services. For the sake of true discipleship (leading a person from their current state - likely chant-free - to the likeness of Christ), though, either arrange the song to modern music or leave it for your personal time.
(I don't know where you got your translations, but you're very close. "Dominus Deus Sabaoth" should actually mean "Lord, God, Sabaoth." "Sabaoth" is a Hebrew name for God that means "my strong deliverer." "Dona eis requiem" is "grant US peace." I only add my two cents because it makes the words even more powerful.)
Jo,
I like chants too. Although, if your were in a huge empty church and had them playing, it could be frightening.
the jew,
I'm glad we did not lose you over chants. You're a great guy. Why Episcipol church? Liturgy? Theology? Government?
Erskine,
I got the lyrics on the net. Thanks for your two cents and insights. Chants have a transcendental feeling. I probably would be able to use them with a young adult small group or with college students.
Blessings all!
Post a Comment
<< Home