Two weeks ago (I know, I am very late with this post!) we used a creative presentation of Psalm 139 to set up the choir's anthem, "Everlasting God" by Tom Fettke. Suzanne Howell, a blind member of my choir, read Psalm 139 from a braille Bible. At the same time, Kara Clark, a member of our congregation, did a sign language interpretation. It was a very powerful presentation, and I was very pleased with the response.
One of the questions that came back to us was, "If there are no deaf people in the congregation, why use sign language? Isn't that just showy then?" I appreciate that question, because it allows me to get back to the conversation about removing distractions from our worship environments.
One of the greatest distractions we face in worship is monotony, the same old thing in the same old way. Had we read Psalm 139 as we normally read it, it would have been effective, it is God's word. But I believe human nature would have taken over, and by verse 4 or 5, we may have mentally tuned out. Having someone sign the verses engaged our congregation, myself included. I was watching each gesture, trying to see how each movement represented the words being spoken. I was engaged for all 24 verses. My choir members, who sit facing the congregation, commented that it looked as though the congregation was very engaged with the reading, as well.
Will we do this every week? Of course not! It would loose its effectiveness. But on this particular Sunday, I was very pleased with the results.
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