Liturgy Lessons, February 12, 2017
Call to Worship – Psalm 148; Psalm 149: 1-4
Opening Hymn: All Creatures of our God and King (#115)
Confession: Luke 18: 9-14
Assurance of Pardon: Hebrews 4:14-16
Song of Assurance: Before the Throne of God Above (Getty)
Catechism/Congregational Prayers
Offertory: ”Clap De Hands” – Kids Choir
Doxology: #733
Sermon: Eric Irwin
Meditation
Supper Hymns: How Sweet and Awesome is the Place (#469); We Will Feast (refrain only)
Closing Hymn: All for Jesus (#565)
Benediction
Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?
Exodus 15:11
Awesome is God from his sanctuary;
the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people.
Psalm 68:35
He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
Psalm 111:9
How Sweet and Awesome is the Place
Text: Isaac Watts (1707) Tune: ST. COLUMBA, old Irish folk melody
When Isaac Watts penned this hymn approximately 300 years ago, the original title was “How sweet and aweful is the place.” Of course, the term means awe-inspiring, awe-invoking, full of awe. But language shifts with each era and culture, and today it is probably bad evangelism to describe the church’s place of worship as “aweful,” even though that may accurately describe some people’s experience. So, in modern hymnals, the word is appropriately updated with the word awesome, which, being the most overused throwaway word in modern slang, is not altogether free of associative baggage. Exhibit A, my recent exchange at Starbucks:
Barista: “May I help you?”
Me: “Yes, I’d like a cup of coffee.”
Barista: “Awesome.”
Me (with heightened expectations): “I have a gift card I’d like to use.”
Barista: “Awesome.”
Me (now slightly annoyed): “What is the Christmas Blend?”
Barista: “Oh, it’s our seasonal dark roast. I love it. It’s totally awesome.”
Me (with a wry smile): “OK, I’ll try that.”
Barista: “Awesome, will that be all?”
Me (after a deep breath): “Yes, thanks.”
Barista: “Awesome, enjoy your coffee, and have a nice day!”
Me (giving in): “Thanks, I’m sure they both will be awesome.”
If you look up the synonyms for the word “awesome,” you will come up with breathtaking, magnificent, marvelous, stunning, staggering, mind-boggling, mind-blowing, jaw-dropping, formidable, and fearsome. These words should be reserved for the Grand Canyon, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, and Mt. Rainier. So, let’s reclaim the term, shall we? Consider this first stanza of Watts’ hymn:
How sweet and awesome is the place, with Christ within the doors,
While everlasting love displays the choicest of her stores.
This hymn properly uses the word “awesome” to describe the grand feast that we are all invited to join. Loosely based on the parable from Luke 14:17, the image it conjures up is of a great banquet. In my mind, it’s an epic buffet spread that puts any cornflake-covered-casserole-crazed church potluck to shame. No bright green jello covered in mini-marshmallows at this one, only the “choicest.” This image makes it one of our “choicest” songs for communion. Our communion time is a celebration, and we need more songs like this that truly celebrate the extravagant provision of God in the person of Jesus Christ, and the delights to be found within his house. The hymn then goes on to tackle themes of election and our own questions about unworthiness in light of such abundance and grace. It then moves to missions, and ends with a prayer that all may come to know the generous love that invites us to the table.
The tune to which the text is usually set is a beautiful, old Irish folk melody. It is in a lilting three-four meter, and is suggestive of a waltz. It’s fluid and elegant phrases are full of stepwise rises and falls, making it very easy to sing. This is a hymn tune that I always go home humming. It is, in my opinion, one of the greatest melodies in our hymnbook, and dare I say, it really is awesome!
For a more in-depth discussion on this hymn, please visit this archived presentation from The First Presbyterian Church of Jackson, Mississippi.
Link to sheet music: http://www.hymnary.org/page/fetch/TH1990/489/high
Link to suggested recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJkbHHHp5Nk