Sometimes a familiar hymn or chorus takes on new meaning when somebody uses it in a surprising way.

I heard about a pastor who stood to read his resignation at the close of morning worship service. It had all the usual rhetoric and platitudes you might expect. He then concluded his prepared statement by saying, “The same Jesus who led me to you, is now leading me to another church.” The minister of music then stepped to the podium and led the congregation in singing, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”

Another pastor had planned a stewardship emphasis to encourage members to give to the new building. He planned testimonies and a passionate sermon. Just before the service began, he realized that he had not planned an appropriate song for the call to commitment at the end. He told the pianist to pick out anything that would go with stewardship. As he concluded, he asked those who would commit to give at least $1,000 to the building fund, to stand during the song. To his delight, the pianist played, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

While those stories are fables, the next example is true. Ashley Reid Cockerham quotes her preschool daughter Emily on the car ride home one night: “Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from Heaven above, with liberty and justice for all, our God is an awesome God.”

So whether your church sings choruses or hymns, this Sunday when you sing, listen to the words. You might discover something new, too.

Copyright 2009 by Bob Rogers. E-mail brogers@fbcrincon.com. Read this column each Friday for a mix of religion and humor. For more “Holy Humor,” go to the Web site www.fbcrincon.com.