Sunday worship, 11 August: Songs of Praise service

A really lovely time of worship this morning, as it was our annual Songs of Praise service. Over the previous weeks, the congregation has been nominating hymns for potential inclusion in worship - with nine hymn 'slots' available.
This year, an unusually wide-ranging variety of nominations.
The basic rule of thumb used to whittle down nominations to the nine are:
number of times nominated;
how recently it's been sung;
how soon it will be sung;
and...it's never been sung at all, so now's the chance!

Our nine, with readings and reflections, in order:
Morning has broken
Ps 96
short reflection: 'Songs of praise and freedom' on Ps 96 and John Greenleaf Whittier
Dear Lord and Father of mankind - John Greenleaf Whittier
Ps 103
short reflection: 'Songs of praise and remembering' on Ps 103 and Henry Francis Lyte
Praise my soul, the King of Heaven - Henry Francis Lyte
Ps 47
short reflection 'Songs of praise and awesomeness' on Ps 47 and William Cowper
O, for a closer walk with God - William Cowper
Ps 33:1-11
short reflection 'Songs of praise and justice' on Ps 33:1-11 and John Newton
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds - John Newton
How great Thou art
By cool Siloam's shady rill
I waited for the Lord my God
Shine, Jesus, shine

On exploring the writers of the selected hymns, four [Whittier, Lyte, Cowper, and Newton] had a common link, they were all abolitionists: actively involved in some way or other in the growing anti-slavery movement both within the British Empire, and, in Whittier's case, the United States. Underpinning their work to end slavery was their faith, and the basic understanding that those held in chains were both neighbours and brothers [and sisters]; to work to free their neighbour was the practical outworking of the command to love their neighbour. So weaving in the psalms, discussing the lives of these four writers of hymns, and reflecting on their faith, formed the underlying theme of our service this morning - how do we praise God when our brothers and sisters are still in chains? The psalmists show us how: recalling God's liberating acts, proclaiming that God's justice be made known throughout the world, remembering God's greatness. We proclaim the spiritual freedom found in God, and work for the physical liberation of all who are oppressed/ in physical captivity. To praise God and sing the psalms is what grounds us, helps to keep us focused, and is the sweetness that helps us keep at bay the bitter, as we work together to build God's kingdom