INTRODUCING THE Hymn of the Week
The Lutheran church enjoys a long tradition of identifying one “Hymn of the Week” for every Sunday of the church year. Such a hymn should reflect the unifying theme of the service, and is intended to be sung on that Sunday every year. In this series, Pastor Nathanael Mayhew gives us a brief overview of the Hymns of the Week for the coming month.
The Season of Lent (concluded) In our preparation for the resurrection of Jesus, we reflect on the ongoing warfare between Christ and the devil.
- April 6—The Fifth Sunday in Lent, often called Passion Sunday, begins a deeper reflection on the suffering of our Savior. This Sunday, more than any other in the season of Lent, focuses us on Christ’s death in the sinner’s place. The ancient Latin hymn by Venantius Fortunatus, “The Royal Banners Forward Go” (TLH 168; LSB 455), serves as the hymn of the day. In this hymn we are reminded that the cross was the tool which God used to bring salvation to fallen humanity. The cross was the altar at which God offered the sacrifice for mankind’s sin.
- April 13—We know the Sixth Sunday of Lent as Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday is the beginning of what Christians have called Holy Week, the final days of Jesus’ ministry leading up to His death on Calvary. Jesus is our King Who comes in humility and is willing to give His life for His people. The hymn of the day is “All Glory, Laud, and Honor” (TLH 160; LSB 442), another ancient Latin hymn which summarizes the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
- April 17—Maundy Thursday usually points to Christ’s institution of the Lord’s Supper, and the blessings He continues to offer through that Sacrament. Martin Luther’s Communion hymn “O Lord, We Praise Thee” (TLH 313; LSB 617) is the hymn for this day. In this hymn Luther instructs us in the bodily presence of Jesus in the elements of bread and wine as well as the spiritual blessing of forgiveness He offers in this sacrament.
- April 18—Good Friday is the high point of Holy Week. Because it focuses on the death of Jesus, this service is very somber and often concludes in complete darkness. But even in this darkness God is at work to accomplish salvation for sinners. The hymn for this day is “A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth” (TLH 142; LSB 438) by Paul Gerhardt. This hymn depicts Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb God sent to die for the sin of every sinner, and the results of His sacrifice for us.
The Season of Easter Easter is a season of great joy because of Christ’s victory over sin and death. This joy is depicted in sight and sound. The purple colors which filled our church in Lent are replaced by radiant white colors during Easter. The alleluias and songs of praise which were hidden during Lent now return to our worship. Their absence over the past seven weeks gives us a greater appreciation for their joyful words and sounds. Our Easter hymns will often and regularly repeat “Alleluia,” which means “Praise the Lord!”
- April 20—On Easter Sunday we proclaim and rejoice in the truth of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. This is the foundational truth of Christianity. The Apostle Paul declares, “If Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:17) Paul Gerhardt’s hymn “Awake, My Heart, with Gladness” (TLH 192; LSB 467) reminds us of the certainty of Christ’s victory over death and all that this victory means for the children of God.
- April 27—The First Sunday after Easter highlights the change which the risen Lord works in His people. The hymn “Ye Sons and Daughters of the King” (TLH 208; LSB 470) reviews the resurrection appearances of Jesus which include His appearance to Thomas and the change that the Lord worked in Him. What joy is ours in the resurrected Lord!
Lord, bless our hearing of Your Word and use our lips for Your praise.
is a pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mankato, Minnesota.