Have you considered how responsive readings can be incorporated into worship in the following ways:
- for small groups without an accompanist, in lieu of songs, and
- when the text is appropriate, but all the “slots” for hymns have been “taken.”
Responsive readings give additional speakers and lay leaders opportunities for participation, and incorporate even the tone-deaf laity who tend to participate less in congregational singing.
When copyright laws permit and the theological purpose is sound, treatment of hymns as responsive readings also allows substitutions of new words (contemporary in place of archaic, inclusive instead of gender-exclusive, non-rhyming in place of contrived rhymes, etc.) that would otherwise not fit the meter of the hymn tune and cannot be printed in the pew hymnal. Compare the following to the original texts in your hymnal to see how some - not all – archaic text has been updated, and how a call to worship has been changed to an affirmation of praise.
When resources are limited, the part for Leader 2 can also by read by Leader 1.
Christmas Responsive Readings
What Child Is This?
Leader 1: What Child is this who lays at rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Leader 2: Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping?
All: This is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing!
We haste to bring Him praise: the Babe, the Son of Mary.
Leader 1: Why lies He in such mean estate, where ox and ass are feeding?
Leader 2: Good Christians, fear, for sinners here the silent Word is pleading.
All: This is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing!
We haste to bring Him praise: the Babe, the Son of Mary.
Leader 1: Bring Him incense, gold and myrrh! Come peasant and king to own Him!
Leader 2: The King of kings salvation brings! Let loving hearts enthrone Him!
All: This is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing!
We haste to bring Him praise: the Babe, the Son of Mary.
(Original text by William C. Dix, 1837-1898. This responsive reading treatment copyright ©2010 by Kenneth Athon. All rights reserved worldwide.)
Here’s another example of adapting a hymn to a congregational responsive reading. Note some (italicized) words are adapted to affirm our common intentions and describe our congregational actions.
Some Children See Him
Leader 1: Some children see Him lily white,
Leader 2: The baby Jesus born this night.
All : Some children see Him lily white,
With tresses soft and fair.
(portion omitted from this example for copyright protection)
Leader 2: We lay aside each earthly thing
Leader 2: And give our hearts as offering.
All We worship now the infant King.
'Tis love that's born tonight!
