Wisdom in Speech
On June 3, 2001, comedy legend Mel Brooks stepped onto the stage at Radio City Music Hall to accept the Tony Award for Best Musical, the most prestigious award handed out in the world of Broadway theater. His show, The Producers—based off of his Oscar award winning screenplay and film from 1967—had just become the most decorated musical of all time with its twelfth Tony Award, a record that still stands to this day.
Yeah, even Hamilton didn’t match The Producers.
I was struck by Brooks’ acceptance speech for “Best Musical,” particularly for the small, seemingly frivolous note in his thank you to playwright Thomas Meehan, who co-wrote the show’s book with him. If you’re unfamiliar with Broadway theater lingo, the “book” of a musical is the script, incorporating the music and score within its structure. It’s the story, stage directions, and music all in relationship together.
“It took three years to write (the film) The Producers, and three years to write the musical The Producers, and Tom Meehan was there all the way, telling me when it sings and when it talks. Thank you Tom Meehan.”
Somehow, in that short description of Tom Meehan’s work on the record-setting production, Brooks described what a lot of us have the privilege of doing for our church families. As we gather to remember, retell, and rehearse the Good News together, we decide—with the Spirit’s help—when it sings and when it speaks.
Singing and Speaking
Each week we remember the gospel together, and renew the new covenant in Jesus’ blood. Our God has been faithful, even though we have not, and we come to be renewed by his mercy, grace, and love. Having recalibrated our identity around God’s identity once again, we can be sent out for the sake of the world.
The story is still, always, stunning, isn’t it? And we have the privilege of animating the gospel in so many different ways each week. So we plan and prepare with faithful imaginations.
We prayerfully ponder:
- How does God speak this week?
- How does God sing?
- How do the people speak in response?
- And how do we sing in response?
Of course all sorts of other influences enter the picture as well, including context, location, posture, symbol, and gesture. But a simple core for our gatherings comes down to the dialogue between God and God’s people, which can speak or sing at any moment.
A Third Way
While Mr. Brooks and Mr. Meehan spent three years determining when their show should sing and when it should speak, worship planners and leaders get to add a third means of communication as well: silence.
Sometimes, the speaking and the singing fails us as we behold God’s glory and beauty.
Sometimes, God seems to stand far off.
Sometimes, the guilt of our sin renders us mute.
Sometimes, we’re overwhelmed by gratitude.
Sometimes, silence may be kept. Silence must be kept.
To gather in worship at God’s invitation means to enter into some retelling of the story of his saving work and the speech, song, and silence it deserves.
Lent’s Version of the Story
Retelling the gospel story together during the season of Lent is a true gift. Our Reformed tradition, and the broader stream of Christian history, is full of deeply meaningful resources for this season of fasting, prayer, and justice. The darkness is darker, but it makes the light shine all the brighter. And that makes for dynamic art and expression! Our hymns and songs and prayers and poems and proclamations are so rich in their word, melody, harmony, and rhythm during this crescendo toward Resurrection Sunday.
Can our confession appropriately sing this weekend?
Is there a musical groan for our lament since we lack the words to match our sorrow?
How must we hear God’s promise of restoration when we’re together Sunday?
What good word does God have for our world this week?
As you plan and lead worship during this season, always aimed toward the death and resurrection of Jesus, lean into the privilege you have in asking the questions: When does this service speak? When does it sing? When is it silent?
These are creative and compassionate questions, pastoral in their posture. And in their own unique way, an offering up to God.
Looking for resources for Lent, Holy Week, or Easter?
Use the search function at ReformedWorship.org or start with the resources listed in the following blogs: