I have been raised in a home that relies strongly on the beliefs of Christianity. We attend church every Sunday and Wednesday and are also there whenever extra things need done.
The biggest way that music is used in the church I know attend is in the style of Contemporary Christian music, making use of modern day praise and worship songs as well as traditional hymns.
The music is used as one of the biggest ways to worship in my church. We sing about three or four songs before the sermon and we sing the same amount or more after the sermon. We believe that song is a means of communication with God and a big part of glorifying God as the Bible commands us to make a joyful noise. The church feels it is important for anyone that is able to be a part of the worship team, whether it is singing or playing an instrument. I have the privilege of seeing different people worship every week and it amazes me that some of the ways they worship are almost identical. This includes raising hands and closing eyes as if praying to God. The church also believes that every song should have a connection to the Bible so the PowerPoint showing the words also shows the corresponding verses.
Because of my background, I find deep joy in listening to sacred music and finding the deeper meaning of the pieces. I believe that for me, my faith plays a big part in what I feel is aesthetically pleasing. I also believe that in the Protestant religion, songs are built around certain chords to make the singer and listener feel a certain way. Many praise and worship pieces are written to bring certain moods of reverence. Hymns are the same way. I believe that songs in the Protestant religion also have a tendency to have long introductions for people to get in the right mindset.
Other than attending my own church, I also sing at a Presbyterian church one Sunday a month or more depending on the month. Although my church service is not the same, there are several similarities within the services. One big difference is that the only instrument that is really used at the Presbyterian church is the organ. I enjoy this aspect. I love how the hymns are used with the original instrument they were written for. It has sentimental meaning to me and I plan to learn more about this tradition!
I also agree with you! ~.^ There is something so special about music and religion. It's so true that we can communicate to him through our instruments, whether it be voice or...violin! I'm glad you brought that up. I love contemporary Christian and I think that it's a great part of our generation. We've turned hymns into the music we listen to on a day-to-day basis.
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting, Rebekah. I like that your church cites their sources! :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's also interesting to hear from someone that didn't really experience hymns-with-organ much until later in life. I hope you get to hear the one in Twichell some more.