“Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into His presence with singing!” Psalm 100:2
Music has a vital role in the life of Tenth Presbyterian Church. We use vocal and instrumental music to worship God together, to grow in the Christian faith, and to give witness of that faith to the world. The Bible clearly portrays God’s people as a singing people. Theologians such as Augustine and Calvin have noted the close relationship between singing and prayer. Both spoke of two kinds of prayer, those which are spoken and those which are sung.
Have you ever thought about how singing could transform your prayer life? First, the best hymns and anthems contain an abundance of Scriptural truth. Jesus taught us to pray, “Thy will be done.” We learn God’s will through his Word. God has made us in such a way that it is often far easier to remember things through song than by rote memorization. Didn’t most of us learn the alphabet through singing? Second, singing challenges us to use our whole beings in prayer: heart, mind, soul, and strength. Earnest prayer takes effort, and singing helps us exercise our spiritual muscles! Singing in groups also holds us accountable and enables us to sing more boldly and confidently. Third, the songs we sing tend to stay with us throughout our lives. So, in joy and sorrow, in sickness and health, the songs we sing are there to accompany our lives as God’s people.
The Music Ministries of Tenth focus on the corporate worship of God, the growth of Christian disciples, and the witness of the gospel to the world. In other words, music plays an important role in our “chief end” to glorify God and enjoy him forever. It also takes part in the process of reaching that chief end in contributing to our sanctification and growth in Christ. Lastly, music can be used to promote the glory of God in the world and invite people to come to faith in him.
As with many disciplines, the best way to begin is to start young! Tenth Children’s and Youth Music is providing the following opportunities this year. Please contact Joseph Waggoner for details.
- Praisemakers: Pre-K music program for ages 4–5. Sunday mornings in B2, leaving the 11:00 worship service at the second hymn.
- Tenth Children’s Music: Music program for Grades 1–6. Sunday evenings, starting at 6:10, in B1 and B3 for choir, strings, general music, and hymnody work. Begins September 16.
- Maranatha Choir: Choir for 6th through 12th graders. Will meet in November and December to sing Christmas songs for morning services on a Sunday in December. Please contact Eleanor Bracey for more information.
There are also the following opportunities for adults. Please contact Colin Howland for more information.
- Men’s Choir (all men high school age and older): meets every Sunday in the balcony from 10:20 to 10:45 am beginning September 9. They sing once per month September through May.
- Tenth Church Choir (men and women college age and older): meets every Monday night for rehearsal from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in Fellowship Hall beginning September 10. They sing weekly in the evening service, meeting at 5:15 pm for a pre-service rehearsal beginning September 9. They also sing for the Reformation Hymn Festival, the Lessons and Carols Services, the Good Friday Concert, and occasional Sunday morning services.
The Bible also encourages the use of a variety of instruments in the praise of God. For example, Psalm 150:3-4 says, “Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!” If you play an instrument and want to serve, contact Colin to get involved.
By God’s grace, we want Tenth to be a place where men and women, boys and girls love to worship God with music. Please pray to that end.