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Hymns replaced by Bono lyrics at church
Telegraph (UK) ^ | 29/01/2007 | onathan Petre

Posted on 01/28/2007 8:57:58 PM PST by Mount Athos

John Lennon once enraged Christians by claiming that the Beatles were bigger than Jesus. The Church of England is now recognising the pulling power of rock stars by recruiting Bono, the singer and lyricist of U2, in its bid to boost congregations.

A Church of England bishop is to preside at this country's first "U2-charist", an adapted Holy Communion service that uses the Irish supergroup's best-selling songs in place of hymns.

US worshippers, Hymns replaced by Bono lyrics US worshippers at a U2 Eucharist sing along to lyrics of Bono

In what is more rock concert than Book of Common Prayer, a live band will belt out U2 classics such as Mysterious Ways and Beautiful Day as worshippers sing along with the lyrics, which will appear on screens. The atmosphere will be further enhanced by a sophisticated lighting system that will pulse with the beat, and striking visual images of poverty and drought.

Despite his rock star antics, including swearing on live television, Bono is regarded as a Christian icon by many who point to the spiritual content of his music.

His high-profile anti-poverty campaigns with fellow Irish musician Bob Geldof have elevated him to saintly status in some circles.

But while Bono is open about his Christian influences, he has also clashed with Church leaders over issues such as Aids.

Traditionalists who fear the Church is diluting its message to attract the young will be dismayed at its willingness to embrace Bono.

Such doubts are not shared by the Bishop of Grantham, the Rt Rev Timothy Ellis, who is organising the U2-charist in St Swithin's church in Lincoln in May.

"Bono and Bob Geldof are very human, but they have demonstrated that they believe there is sanctity to life that has to be protected," he said. "If that makes them saints, then I would go along with that."

Bishop Ellis said that the eve-of-Pentecost service in the city centre church would be a traditional one, but stripped down to basics.

"We are hoping the service will be a fresh way to look at worship, less formal, and less rigid," he said.

"People will be able to express themselves in any way they wish.

"This is not designed to replace traditional services but to enhance the worship provision of the Church.

"We need to try new expressions. If we don't try to update and refresh our thinking we will die."

Seating will be moved so that the 500-strong congregation can dance or wave their arms.

The bishop, who will be chief celebrant, said he had yet to decide whether to swap vestments for jeans.

The Lincoln U2-charist is adapted from an American phenomenon that has swept across the US and even reached Hong Kong.

It will be recorded by the BBC for a programme to be broadcast later in the year, and the bishop hopes it will be replicated across Britain.

The service will focus on the Millennium Development Goals to reduce world poverty, a cause close to Bono's heart.

The Bishop said that he did not expect the Irish singer to attend the U2-charist in person, though he was hoping he might send a message. The £10,000 cost of equipment will be partly funded by the diocese of Lincoln, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, will also be kept informed.

The idea was devised by the Rev Paige Blair, an American Episcopal priest in York Harbor, Maine, who held the first service in 2005. Since then, she has advised about 150 churches on U2 Eucharists in 15 states and seven countries.

"Bach and Handel were the popular music of their day, and they had trouble getting played in church," she has said.

"The Methodist hymn writers once wrote contemporary music. Are we worshipping Bono? Absolutely not. No more so than we worship Martin Luther when we sing A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."

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Extracted lyrics of songs used in American U2-charists, compiled by the Rev Paige Blair in York Harbor, Maine

When Love Comes To Town I was there when they crucified my Lord, I held the scabbard when the soldier drew his sword, I threw the dice when they pierced his side, But I've seen love conquer the great divide

Mysterious Ways It's alright, it's alright, it's alright, She moves in mysterious ways, It's alright, it's alright, it's alright, We move through miracle days, Spirit moves in mysterious ways

Elevation Explain all these controls, Can't sing but I've got soul, The goal is elevation, A mole, Digging in a hole, Digging up my soul now, Going down, excavation


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: anglican; blasphemy; churchoftheleft; ecusa; gramsci; liberalagenda; sacrilege
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1 posted on 01/28/2007 8:57:59 PM PST by Mount Athos
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To: Mount Athos

2 posted on 01/28/2007 8:58:38 PM PST by Mount Athos
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To: Mount Athos

Please, kill me now...


3 posted on 01/28/2007 8:59:15 PM PST by Xenophon450 (I ain't talking about romance, you may fiddle I may dance, anyway it's just a game we play.)
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To: Huber

FYI


4 posted on 01/28/2007 9:01:48 PM PST by neodad (USS Vincennes (CG-49) Freedom's Fortress)
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To: Mount Athos

GAAAK!

""Bono and Bob Geldof are very human, but they have demonstrated that they believe there is sanctity to life that has to be protected," he said. "If that makes them saints, then I would go along with that."

The clergy in England seem to have a problem being "human" when addressing the needs of their various communities but this is ridiculous.

Mankind's problems haven't changed, neither has Jesus's message.


5 posted on 01/28/2007 9:02:45 PM PST by padre35 (We are surrounded, that simplifies our problem Chesty Puller)
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To: Mount Athos
A mole, Digging in a hole, Digging up my soul now, Going down, excavation

Gross! Reminds me of a certain "South Park" episode... Lemmiwinks...ewwwww!

6 posted on 01/28/2007 9:03:22 PM PST by LibFreeOrDie (L'Chaim!)
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To: Mount Athos

Absolutely speechless.

The Church of England has now ceased being a church. Or is it now the Church of Bono?


7 posted on 01/28/2007 9:04:48 PM PST by BlessedBeGod (Benedict XVI = Terminator IV)
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To: Mount Athos

Just in my lifetime - to witness the death of so many great churches, hurts me beyond belief. What's next - a Madonna-thon?


8 posted on 01/28/2007 9:09:32 PM PST by alicewonders
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To: Mount Athos
Two Bonos are better than one.


9 posted on 01/28/2007 9:09:36 PM PST by RGSpincich
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To: Mount Athos
Okay, "When Love Comes To Town" is essentially a gospel song sung to a blues music style. Not very Anglo-catholic, but acceptable in some alternative service.

Still, I have trouble with the whole angle they are taking, all U2, and trying to find those U2 songs with some religious significance.

10 posted on 01/28/2007 9:09:47 PM PST by magellan
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To: Mount Athos

Bono needs to take a vow of poverty, then I'll believe.


11 posted on 01/28/2007 9:12:49 PM PST by Moonman62 (The issue of whether cheap labor makes America great should have been settled by the Civil War.)
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To: Mount Athos
This was sung by English children in Sunday School in 1940.

Build on the rock. The rock that ever stands. Build on the rock and not upon the sands.

You need not fear the storm or the earthquake shock. You are safe forever more if you build on the rock.

Every small boy was allowed to thump the desk on the word shock.

Alas, the Church of England, has left the rock. It is the shifting treacherous sands of pandering to some sort of modern day idealogy . It is not realized that the strength of the Church was to thrust aside the stark reality of everyday existence. The worshipper could then have moments of communion with his or her soul. Then they could sing the uplifting and indeed the stirring of the age old hymnals.

Now it is gone.

12 posted on 01/28/2007 9:24:04 PM PST by Peter Libra
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To: Mount Athos
Ezekiel 8:5-6

5 Then he said to me, "Son of man, lift up your eyes now toward the north." So I lifted up my eyes toward the north, and behold, north of the altar gate, in the entrance, was this image of jealousy.

6 And he said to me, "Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel are committing here, to drive me far from my sanctuary? But you will see still greater abominations."

The same self-centeredness that existed then can manifest itself today.

13 posted on 01/28/2007 9:28:55 PM PST by scott7278 (Free soil, free labor, free speech, free men!)
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To: Mount Athos

Is it me or does this church look pretty empty? You know, sort of: "Okay, everybody! Now I want you all to kindda bunch together and look like a crowd while I take this picture."


14 posted on 01/28/2007 9:30:57 PM PST by yankeedame ("Oh, I can take it but I'd much rather dish it out.")
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To: RGSpincich

I remember when Cher was cute and Sonny looked funny. Later, it became just the opposite.


15 posted on 01/28/2007 9:31:31 PM PST by gcruse (http://garycruse.blogspot.com/)
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To: Mount Athos
they believe there is sanctity to life that has to be protected

So, Bono is "coming out" to be pro-life? As in being against killing unborn babies? That's refreshing. /sarcasm

16 posted on 01/28/2007 9:36:19 PM PST by LisaMalia
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To: BlessedBeGod

I completely agree. I love U2 but their music has no place at all in church.


17 posted on 01/28/2007 9:36:36 PM PST by Lutheran Loft II
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To: yankeedame
Is it me or does this church look pretty empty?

It does. There is a lesson to be learned here. Trying to go down the middle of the road - trying to appeal to everybody, selling out your principles to get a vote....er..I mean - to get new parishioners - doesn't really appeal to anyone & you end up losing the election....er..I mean - losing parishioners. Well, you know what I mean.

18 posted on 01/28/2007 9:38:27 PM PST by alicewonders
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To: alicewonders

Let's see,Jesus said U-2 can't be spirtitual because their music isn't churchy enough. I happen to like groups like Casting Crowns and I don't find their music too churchy either. If the Lord's using Bono to reach young people I don't have a problem with it,but then again I'm not as pious as some of the saints who post here !!!


19 posted on 01/28/2007 9:46:44 PM PST by Obie Wan
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To: Moonman62
Bono needs to take a vow of poverty, then I'll believe.

LOL, same with Johnny Depp, Alec Baldwin, Babs Streisand, Sarandon, and the rest of the Hollywood bleeding heart liberal lot. Ain't never gonna happen. Their political beliefs only go so far, still gotta have the mansions, the cars, the servants, the nannies, etc. All courtesy of the little folks here in the USA, who work hard, pay for their movies and concerts, and line their pockets. I'm glad not one of them.

20 posted on 01/28/2007 9:47:02 PM PST by LisaMalia
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