MUSIC AND WORSHIP
As a Minister of Music, both full time and part time for most all of my adult years, I have always been impressed with a place of worship. I know that many people feel that they can worship on the golf course or while fishing or even while watching a beautiful sunset. But for me I have always enjoyed having a place to worship. Most of the time, it has been in a church building or a beautiful cathedral and I know that this is part of my upbringing. I can still remember going into the church of my childhood and bowing and saying a prayer as I entered in with my parents. Even before I sat down, I paused long enough to reflect upon a place that was there for prayer and meditation. Later as I became part of the Choir, I would sing hymns and anthems that were written to help not only the congregation to worship but also the choir because the words we were singing were words written by dedicated composers who were not only fine composers but also church musicians. As I grew in my love for music, I also grew in my love for the music of other denominations beyond my own including the music in the Reformed Jewish Synagogue where I sang as a paid vocalist and the Roman Catholic University where I attended college. Not only was I exposed to denominations other than my own, but I gained an appreciation for the various religions and the music they used in their worship. To this day, I value my background of experiences because I know that it has helped me to appreciate what worship is.

As I reflect on the hymns of Easter, I am impressed with the following hymns and the story of their writing: “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” Charles Wesley (1707-1788) composed over 6500 hymns representing the broad spectrum of Christian doctrines. His Easter hymn consisted originally of 11 four line stanzas and was entitled “Hymn for Easter Day.”
“Low in the Grave He Lay” This hymn and its tune (Christ Arose) were written in 1874. Robert Lowery, the author/composer was serving as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania and teacher at the University of Lewisburg (later Bucknell). Luke 24:6 served as the inspiration for the text “He is not here, but is risen.”
“Because He Lives” Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote words and music for this hymn in 1971 shortly after the birth of their son Benjy. They both felt the assurance and affirmation that we can all face the unknown future with confidence because Jesus Christ, our savior lives. Baptist Hymnal 1975 edition was the first to include this hymn and at Bill Gaither’s request named the tune Resurrection.
Dennis