Music
Whether it be at a sports event, a concert or gig, or a church service, communal singing seems to play an important role when people meet together in large numbers. It has a unifying effect, with lots of different people singing together with "one voice". But why exactly do we sing in church? Is musical style important? Does music help us know Jesus better?
We believe music is a good, enjoyable and useful gift from God. Though we might not all be able to write timeless songs like The Beatles, or play Rachmaninov piano concertos, most people appreciate music of one kind or another, and all but a very small number of us can sing to some extent... Using music in church services allows us therefore to unite in sharing and enjoying God's creative gift of music, as we:
1) sing hymns and songs which teach us about God
- what He is like, what He has done and what He is doing.
2) sing words which express our response to God
- songs and hymns of thanksgiving and prayer.
3) sing songs and hymns which contain words
that encourage those around us.
At St. Richard's we have a large number of singers, musicians and drummers* who regularly help lead the musical aspects of our services. We value traditional hymns and modern "worship songs" alike, and consider our singing them to be an important part of what we do when we meet together, regardless of whether they are led by a choir with organ accompaniment, or by a band.
Paul Hughes
Director of Music
* An old joke - drummers are musicians too.