Using new hymns to stir up worship
Songs in Season is a collection of ‘new words for worship to familiar tunes’ by Rod Horsfield. A total of 40 songs are grouped in sections for practical use including Gathering Songs, Hymns of Praise, Discipleship as well Advent and Christmas and others for specific feasts such as Ascension and Pentecost.
We’re going to be introducing some of Rod’s songs at St Oswald’s and I thought you might be interested in a conversations I had with Rod just this Sunday. Here’s a verse from his Gathering Song, God, we gather:
Tune our voices to your music, silence all infernal noise, breath your peace into our meeting show us ways to harmonise.
Rod may be known to you as a Minister of the Word in the Uniting Church of Australia, having cared for parishes in Brisbane, Melbourne and Launceston. He has served as Moderator of the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania in the Uniting Church in Australia and as a proponent of the congregation’s active participation in the liturgy.
“This is a collection of writing that spans many years, places and occasions, written when and as moved by the Holy Spirit. When I couldn’t find a hymn that said what I needed it to say, I would sometimes write one myself.”
“For example number 18 in the book is after Psalm 131, which I would often use for hospital visitations. The psalm itself suggests a feminine image being addressed so I wrote the song in that way.”
O child of God, trust in this mother love; flee to her arms in your dire distress, and there in safety find your truest hope, freedom from fear both now and evermore.
“In my opinion, some traditional congregations have become audiences, there to listen, rather than playing an active part in worship.”
“This needs to stop if we’re going to move away from single person dominated worship to having a collective, communal experience. The liturgy after all is a series of exchanges between God and his people. Good liturgy can be healthy, artistic and refreshing.”
Holy Spirit prompt us as we come to pray; loosen up our tongues, inspire the words we say:
stir indifferent hearts and calm our anxious haste; give us songs to sing the wonders of your grace. (Invocation #2)
Each new song is paired with one or more tunes from Together in Song, selected with the help of D’Arcy Wood. And each grouping of songs is characterised by a delightful woodcut of a bird, including two of my favourites, the Wedge Tail Eagle for songs for Prayer; and, Broglas songs for Proclamation (just google Brogla dancing!).
Each song has an explanatory note, giving it context and connecting the reader or singer with Rod and his creative process and intention.
I’m looking forward to introducing these to the parish at St Oswald’s. The tunes are familiar and popular hymn melodies and the words, by Rod, are infused with strong, traditional values. And Rod has even offered to come and speak to us at morning tea about his writing, love of hymnody and of the congregation of the people of God. Details TBA - watch the pewsheet.
God bless,
Daniel, the organist
Songs in Season - New words for worship to familiar tunes (2023) by Rod Horsfield is published by Coventry Press. Copyright permission to use the songs in Orders of Service and digital projection has been obtained for use at St Oswald’s Glen Iris.
