Growing up in the church I was involved in music ensembles. Between church and high school I think I was in 6 ensembles at the same time. It's pretty obvious that to me church and music went hand in hand.
Music is personal
Now, as a director, whenever I ask people whether or not they liked presenting or listening to a particular song during worship, I will get very different answers. The same song will get loves, hates, and 'mehs.' For example, a few weeks ago the choir presented "Borning Cry." This hymn isn't on my list of favorites. I won't be asking anyone to sing it at my funeral and I did not select it for when my children were baptized. However, many people reading this are thinking, "I LOVE that song!" while others don't even recall it. Alternatively, "Unexpected and Mysterious" ELW #258 is one of my favorites and many (including many choir members) dread seeing this come up in rotation.
Music is personal
Now, as a director, whenever I ask people whether or not they liked presenting or listening to a particular song during worship, I will get very different answers. The same song will get loves, hates, and 'mehs.' For example, a few weeks ago the choir presented "Borning Cry." This hymn isn't on my list of favorites. I won't be asking anyone to sing it at my funeral and I did not select it for when my children were baptized. However, many people reading this are thinking, "I LOVE that song!" while others don't even recall it. Alternatively, "Unexpected and Mysterious" ELW #258 is one of my favorites and many (including many choir members) dread seeing this come up in rotation.
My likes and your likes can be different. What speaks to me may not necessarily speak to you. Both of our opinions are valid.
When selecting music the staff works really hard to make sure that our own loves and 'mehs' don't get in the way of your worship. When practicing a hymn during choir, a member said, "I really don't like that hymn!" I responded that I don't like it either. "Why," she asked, "did you choose it then?" I replied that it is likely someone's favorite hymn. It fit well with the text and because of this hymn; someone is going to feel God's presence. A member came up to me and told me how wonderful that hymn was. It was one of her favorites.
I give thanks every day for the variety of music at St. Luke's. We sing music from all around the world, all different types of genres. There aren't many places one can go and hear a Renaissance Motet and an hour later hear a Beatles tune. What a blessing of believers! We get to experience one another’s loves.
As I sit in worship, I give thanks for the music that is filling me. If it's something that's not filling me at that moment, I give thanks that God is being glorified and someone is being filled.
To God Be the Glory!
Sean Johnson
Choir Director
When selecting music the staff works really hard to make sure that our own loves and 'mehs' don't get in the way of your worship. When practicing a hymn during choir, a member said, "I really don't like that hymn!" I responded that I don't like it either. "Why," she asked, "did you choose it then?" I replied that it is likely someone's favorite hymn. It fit well with the text and because of this hymn; someone is going to feel God's presence. A member came up to me and told me how wonderful that hymn was. It was one of her favorites.
I give thanks every day for the variety of music at St. Luke's. We sing music from all around the world, all different types of genres. There aren't many places one can go and hear a Renaissance Motet and an hour later hear a Beatles tune. What a blessing of believers! We get to experience one another’s loves.
As I sit in worship, I give thanks for the music that is filling me. If it's something that's not filling me at that moment, I give thanks that God is being glorified and someone is being filled.
To God Be the Glory!
Sean Johnson
Choir Director