This morning's service was very multi-lingual and included songs and readings in...
Yoruba
Shona
Xhosa
High German
French
Swahili
Welsh
English
And then it came to the Lord's prayer we almost certainly added
Latin
Czech
Gaelic
Two obsevations...
Firstly, the rhythm and feel of the four languages in which we heard scripture read (German, Swahili, French, Welsh) added a richness to our worship that is lacking in any single language service.
Secondly, although most people prayed the Lord's prayer in English, I could hear other voices and languages and the blended sound was rather beautiful. I have a feeling the vision of Revelation 7 was something like that and not, as people sometimes suggest, everyone in a single (usually 21st century English) language.
Comments
I'm not used to several languages being used in one service, Catriona, but have plenty of experience of bi-lingual Welsh/English worship (usually liturgical). The sound of the Lord's Prayer being said in both languages at once is lovely.