Zion Methodism continues to use hymn singing as its chief expression of music in worship. Congregational hymnody ranges from traditional hymns to spirituals and gospel hymns. These hymns, along with choral responses, are carefully integrated into the liturgy. Although not traditionally important, banners and dramatic presentations are now included in some worship services.
Music
Worship usually has four main congregational hymns, sung in their entirety with the congregation standing: the processional hymn, the hymn of praise, the invitational hymn, and the recessional hymn. These hymns are supplemented with the following traditional choral responses:
- The Call to Worship: “The Lord is in His Holy Temple”
- The Invocation: “Hear Our Prayer, O Lord”
- The Responsive Reading: the “Gloria Patri”
- The Apostles’ Creed: “Three-Fold Amen”
- The Pastoral Prayer: “Let the Words … Our Father … ”
- The Offering: “All Things Come of Thee … ”
- The Benediction: “Three-Fold Amen” or a chant
Additionally, the doxology is used either near the beginning of worship or in a later portion of the service.
Zion’s Great Celebration, the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, uses the same basic format as regular worship services. There is usually the addition of the Communion hymn, prior to the Communion ritual. That hymn helps to shift the emphasis from the regular worship service to the Communion service.
Zion’s first hymn sets forth the chief theological focal point of the denomination: “Holy, Holy, Holy”—the praise of the Triune God by the Church Triumphant in union with the Church Militant. This hymn is the normal processional hymn for Zion’s monthly Communion service.
Most churches replace the responsive reading on this Sunday with the reading of the Decalogue and our Lord’s summary of the Law. The choral response to this is “Lord, have mercy upon us.” Throughout the Communion portion of the service, hymns point to our thankfulness for Christ’s atonement. The congregation chants the Sanctus with preface and the Lord’s Prayer during the ritual. As worshipers participate in communion, hymns are sung by the choir and congregation. At the conclusion of the sacrament, all stand and extend to one another Zion’s right hand of fellowship, singing “What a Fellowship.”
In addition, this writer promotes the inclusion of the Introit, using the French carol “Let All Mortal Flesh.” The first stanza, found in Zion’s hymnal, is used generally, with the second stanza used for Communion, the third for Advent and Epiphany, and the fourth for Eastertide. This writer, as pastor, sings this after calling on the congregation to stand. This is the announcement that we are ready to begin the formal act of worship and the adoration of our God.
A number of nontraditional selections, sung to familiar tunes, are becoming more popular. “Old Hundredth” is used, for example, when singing “All People that on Earth Do Dwell.” The congregation now served by this writer has become familiar with the West Indian version of the Lord’s Prayer, and the songs “Majesty,” “We Have Come into This House,” and “They’ll Know We Are Christians.” These new selections are used to increase the ways a congregation can express their praise to God.
A commission has been appointed to compile Zion’s bicentennial hymnal, but has not yet begun this work. This will be an important step in documenting the inclusion of hymns and other music Zion borrows from others and uses regularly.
Visual Arts
Art, in the broader sense, is not an integral part of worship enhancement in Zion. Most of our edifices, old and new, have stained glass windows with a Caucasian Jesus as Good Shepherd among the most popular illustrations. More ethnically oriented churches are using a black Jesus in their windows and paintings in the church edifice.
Zion is increasingly embracing the use of banners as a means of education. We are using seasonal banners to emphasize the Christian year and special banners for groups like the Missionary’s Buds of Promise. The banner provides a tool to teach about the corresponding color and theme of a season, complementing the paraments of the pulpit area. Clergy are using kente cloth for vestments, paraments, and banners in increasing numbers.
Drama and Dance
Christian education plays and dramas are supplementing traditional Easter/Christmas “sentence readings” where there is a liturgical emphasis in the local church. Litanies for special days also provide a vehicle for broader expression. The editor of Zion’s Church School Herald, Ms. Mary Love, has published an original play, The Passion Symbols Speak, and a volume on banners to broaden Zion’s awareness.
Dance, in any form, has not been accepted generally by Zion. The traditional Methodist view that dancing, in any form, is not appropriate remains the predominant view.