Sermon Recap: Wesley’s Rules for Singing
Heritage UMC, Clearwater, FL
Pastor Matt Horan painted a beautiful picture yesterday using Scripture, song, and even the Grand Canyon to remind us of a simple yet profound truth: when all the voices come together, the result is far more powerful than any one part alone.
We began each service with singing, and it struck me how each person’s voice—some trained, some tentative—contributed to something moving and full. Pastor Matt reminded us of John Wesley’s Rules for Singing from the United Methodist Hymnal, which urge us not only to sing with heart and purpose, but to "sing all" and "sing lustily and with good courage." (Read all the rules here)
Pastor Matt compared this collective sound to the layers of the Grand Canyon:
“About 300 million years ago, the Colorado Plateau was at the bottom of an ocean. Whenever there was a change in the climate or currents, or if there was a volcano somewhere on earth, or whatever other kinds of shifts the ocean could see, different sediments would sink to the bottom. Then something would change–maybe an earthquake redirects a river that now brings a different kind of sediment to the area, and eventually a new layer forms. And then another, and then another. For 300 million years.
Then, some shifting plate tectonics beneath that prehistoric ocean caused literal seismic changes, and began to push the Colorado Plateau upwards anywhere from 2500 feet to 12,000 feet into the air. All of the water on top of it, and all of the subsequent rain and melted snow on it began to run off. The moving water and its abrasive sediments–over millions of years–turned small cracks into streams, streams into rivers, and rivers into canyons.
So really, the Colorado River isn’t responsible for the beauty of the Grand Canyon.
The Colorado River was a tiny crack that grew to expose something beautiful created over 300 million years, layer after layer. Each layer placed on top of the one before, waiting until the day would come when what they made together would be seen in all its grandeur.”
Hebrews 11 and 12 demonstrates that the Old Testament story of the nation of Israel leads to faith in Christ as its natural conclusion. The heroes of Israel each had a role to fulfill that added to the contribution to something bigger than themselves. That’s us—the church! Each of us has a voice, a gift, a story. And when we bring those together, guided by God’s Spirit, we create a witness that is far richer and more beautiful than anything we could offer alone.
Pastor Matt wove in how Wesley believed in not just individual piety, but communal harmony—literally and spiritually. When we follow his singing rules, we’re not just staying in tune musically, we’re staying in tune with each other. And when we blend our diverse perspectives, talents, and experiences as disciples of Jesus, we’re becoming the church God intended.
It’s easy to hold back our gifts or assume someone else’s voice matters more. But just like the Grand Canyon's layers or the harmonies of a hymn, our presence, prayers, and participation have power when joined with others.
At Heritage UMC, this message was more than metaphor—it was reality. We are a community. Every voice, every hand, and every heart has a part to play. Whether it’s in worship, service, or simply being present, we are each called to fulfill our role and contribute to something bigger than ourselves.
So let’s keep showing up. Let’s sing—boldly, imperfectly, together. Because that’s when the church sounds most like heaven.
If you missed yesterday’s sermon you can check it out here.
If you’d like to contribute your voice to something bigger than yourself click here.
