I was a bit surprised by how much my sermon from a few weeks ago about singing in worship resonated. Pun intended! Many of you have mentioned how it brought up memories of meaningful songs or had you singing your favorite hymn all afternoon.
As we celebrated the arrival of our new Minister of Music and Worship, Laura Ritter, it felt like the perfect time to reflect on why singing together is vital. The Bible mentions singing over 400 times—from Miriam and Moses’ song in Exodus to the Psalms’ commands (“Sing praise to the Lord!”), and the joyful songs of Zechariah and the angels in the Gospels. Even Jesus sang a hymn with his disciples before the cross, and Paul sang from a prison cell. Singing is an ancient and essential Christian practice!
It’s critical we do this together. In our culture, outside of church, where else do adults regularly gather to sing? Group singing has largely disappeared. Yet here we are, every Sunday, lifting our voices as one. The Church, in its communal singing, is being counter-cultural! This shared practice also benefits us. I love it when science affirms what people of faith have known and practiced for millennia.
Research from the University of California, Berkeley, shows that singing helps improve breathing, posture, and muscle tension. Beyond the physical, there are neurological and psychological benefits to communal singing:
• Pain relief & well-being: Research shows that people experience a more positive mood after actively singing compared to just listening to music, likely due to the release of positive neurochemicals such as dopamine and serotonin, which helps relieve pain.
• Cognitive health: For choir members, learning new songs is a cognitively stimulating experience that enhances memory. Singing also benefits people living with dementia.
• Immune system support: Research suggests that music may contribute to a healthy immune system by reducing stress hormones, such as cortisol, and boosting key antibodies.
• Community & belonging: Singing significantly improves our sense of happiness and well-being, largely by fostering social connection. A strong social network has substantial health benefits, and communal singing encourages social bonding, offering a powerful way to increase feelings of community and belonging.
So, let’s keep singing—to the glory of God, for the strength of our community and for our own well-being! God’s people sing!
—Carol McEntyre, Senior Minister