Grace-St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Mercerville, New Jersey

“There’s a voice in the wilderness crying, a call from the ways untrod . . .” runs this morning’s hymn, and last weeks OT lesson said, A voice says “cry out!” and I said, “What shall I cry out?” “On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry announces that the Lord is nigh,” we just sang.

Advent, apparently, is a time for announcements, for crying out, for spreading news to the whole near-world (and maybe even to the whole far away world as well.) But what is it that should we cry out? Matthew’s assumption is that we will cry out that God has come, that God is coming, and that God will keep on coming to live among us: to share our human life, to give us power, and strength, and courage to face our own - and the world’s - living and dying.

We name that “evangelism” and we encourage crying out the good news in many ways. We suggest talking to friends and family, sending help and resources to those who are in need, inviting people to church, praying for the sick and the distressed, and living ethical and decent lives. You’ve heard me speak about all of those things.

Yet, despite its great importance, there is one “crying out” of which I have not yet spoken in a sermon, one way of prayer, learning, evangelism and deep fellowship which I have so far ignored. That “crying out” is the group singing of hymns and responses in worship -- or the lively spoken responses at 8AM Mass.

Oh, there are the official explanations for anemic or barely audible responses. “Nobody wants to hear me sing.” “I’m not Fr. Jack. “ “The choir can do the singing.” “I don’t know any of these songs.” “The music is ‘trimmings’, not really a main part of the service.” “I prefer services that are private and quiet.”

And I can, of course, answer all those just a glibly. God wants to hear you sing – or at least to speak up, and the people around you also want you to sing, so they don’t feel exposed when they sing. I’m not Father Jack either – the Psalmist’s command to make a joyful noise to the Lord was addressed to David, not to Fr. Jack – or to Cynthia Westbrook, or the silver-toned six plus baby at 10AM, or any other particular persons. In fact, that quote runs, “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.” (ALL the earth, presumably including rocks, trees, rivers, grass, and several other parts of creation not even possessed of vocal cords!)

And, of course, the music is not “trimmings.” And public worship, if we are to be together, requires audible, rhythmic responses. Miss the words to the hymns and responses, and you’ll miss a great deal of the sermon. Refuse to sing the responses at 10AM or to speak them with the rest of us at 8, and your personal share of the celebration of the Eucharist may be extremely small.

But watching – and listening to -- and singing with, the Advent Lessons and Carols procession last Sunday, reminded me of how the “crying out” parts of music and spoken liturgy work, and why they are a big part of evangelism, of “crying out.”

Firstly, speaking up or singing out loud are things we do TOGETHER as we worship. Whenever any one person opts “out” from embarrassment, or from not knowing where to look for the words, or for any other reason, our offering to God is that much less complete.

Every person who speaks under her breath, or mostly refuses to sing is leaving those around her unsupported in their praying and singing. When we all do whatever we can together, we make much more “noise.” We also feel much more joyful, and much more a part of each other. I recall the skinny youngster who was a pallbearer at a recent funeral , who had very little strength, but whose place by the casket could NOT have been left vacant. Worship needs each person in his or her particular “place,” whether or not that person can pull as much weight as others. Singing and praying WITH EACH OTHER is a kind of evangelism- from each of us to our fellow household members of GraSP.

It also assures any visitors that we have a congregation Which pulls together, and in which the members Are not afraid of each other. That probably is a good thing for folks who may want to join our congregation to feel.

A second reality is that in worship we say things over and over. Anything we sing to a rhythm or a tune, is especially easy to remember and to recall in difficult or joyful time. If you who can’t remember what to “cry out” at the bed of dying friend, simply begin “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want,” “Our Father,” or “Hail Mary.” If you want to gather to worship on Christmas Eve, start singing “Oh, Come all ye Faithful, or Silent night.” For Easter say, “Alleluia, Christ is risen.”

If Jessie is having a birthday, begin “Happy Birthday to you . . .”

Where did you learn all this stuff? From SAYING AND SINGING IT over and over. If you “don’t know” that particular hymn or response – the only known solution is to open the book, look at the words and start making the appropriate noise. If it’s a common hymn, you’ll begin to find it familiar, And you’ll begin to enjoy singing with every one else. Eventually, you will “know it,” whether or not you actually recall the words.

Which brings me to what is most important about this for Christians. Scripture commands us to “make a joyful NOISE to the Lord, To enter God’s presence with singing and come into God’s courts with praise.

The command is to make noise, not four part harmonic perfection, not to show off our brilliant solo singing, or even to produce good rap.

God’s worship encourages cheering responses and joyful noise, rather like the support from the stands at a ball game. (minus the beer, of course!) We’re not called to stand silently, looking bored, waiting for time to sit down. [Segue- Most preachers, certainly those here, choose many of the hymns either to repeat the scripture lesson or to mention ideas we can’t spend time on in the sermon. If you don’t like our thoughts, there are four or five poets whose ideas you will meet in the hymns and prayers. You may find their “take” on the passage more helpful . If so, Hooray for them!}

Worshiping – Out Loud – is what Christians do. -- It is our version of John the Baptist’s crying out in the desert to his disciples, and to the crowds who saw this strange and faithful man.

And why did I decide to worry about public worship this morning? Because Advent is here and Christmas is coming. The music to both these seasons is familiar to the point of over-use. {To be sure, one parishioner told me some years ago that “I will sing when I know the words,” and then stood silently during “Oh come, all ye faithful.” I concluded that either the person’s ears or eyes were going.}

Most of us don’t have those problems. It’s a myriad of little things, especially self-consciousness that leave us standing, and not singing or speaking out with the rest of us. However, there is no time of the worship year, in which almost everything will seem as familiar as the next several weeks.

So, How about giving our God, and your fellow members here at GraSP an early present beginning directly after this sermon? Open your books, and open your mouth, Stop being afraid someone will hear you. That is the point. (Certainly, no body here paid money to listen to great music this AM!)

Let’s realize each time we enter the church that our audience is God, that our thoughts and words are about God and they are spoken to God in union with our brothers and sisters, and children in this place.

“Cry out” with Joy and Sorrow and Hope to our God who is coming. Open your books, speak up, and sing out. Thus we all will prepare our hearts, together, for the Coming of Christ -- at this Eucharist, in the miracle that is Christmas and in our lives throughout the coming year.

In nomine. . .