Covenant News

Justice Important Theme in Covenant Hymnal

CHICAGO, IL (February 28, 2005) - The hymnal of the Evangelical Covenant Church is a wonderful resource for promoting justice and making people aware of their connection to Christians around the world, a gathering at North Park Theological Seminary's chapel learned Friday night.

The presentation by two seminary professors and an assistant conference superintendent also included opportunities for attendees to sing and play instruments not usually played during worship. The evening concluded with a vespers service.

"Justice always has been sung," said Phil Anderson, professor of church history and Covenant historian. "It has to be sung or you're not singing the Bible." "These resources are already part of our tradition and hymnal," said Jennifer Pope, campus theme coordinator. The seminary and North Park University are focusing this year on the theme "What is Justice," Pope said.

Jolene Bergstrom-Carlson, associate superintendent of the Central Conference, guided participants through the The Covenant Hymnal: A Worshipbook, beginning with "I'll Praise My Maker While I've Breath," written by Isaac Watts and altered by John Wesley. The hymn tells of God helping save the oppressed, feeding the poor, helping the stranger, widows, the fatherless and prisoners.

The Psalter includes many psalms that speak of justice, Bergstrom-Carson noted. "There is a lot of crushing of the oppressors in the psalms," she observed. "These so-called imprecatory psalms are rarely included in worship, but should be," she said, "because they put us in touch with people who are suffering."

The prayers in the back of the hymnal also include many that call for justice, Bergstrom-Carlson noted. The Affirmations of Faith (section in the hymnal) includes not only the Nicene Creed, but also the Barmen Declaration. That declaration, which claims the church's sole identity in Christ and its prophetic role, was written as part of resistance to the Nazi movement during World War II.

The hymnal also includes music of different cultures and at times includes verses to be sung in a language other than English. Such hymns should be a regular part of worship, said Margaret Brady, adjunct professor of worship and music, because doing so helps to break the fragmentation of the church.

Brady played several worship songs on guitar while others in the audience used various percussive instruments they were given as they entered the gathering.

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