Music Spotlight! (Sunday, March 27, 2022)

This Sunday, we are fortunate to worship with the musical leadership of Emmalee Feldman, local singer-songwriter and leader at Living Hope Church in Clarksville. She will share a more contemporary style, blended beautifully with acoustic instrumentation, for a wholly refreshing musical experience. 

Take notice of the balance between "traditional" hymns, modern congregational songs, and interwoven genres. This is extremely intentional! Emma and I do this to communicate that, no matter your age, musical preference, or background, "You are welcome here." 

Every individual prefers a certain type of music over other types. Every individual's preference is influenced by their background and generation. For long-time Presbyterians, contemporary-style songs may sound out of place in the sanctuary. Singing praise choruses instead of hymn verses may feel somewhat uncomfortable. On the flip side, however, many youth and young adults feel just as uncomfortable singing hymns that are hundreds of years old with ancient instrumentation.

Each generation has an impactful role to play in the spiritual life of the whole congregation. That role may look like teaching, encouraging, innovating, building, etc. Those roles are partly lived out through shared music. Some music is foundational (it teaches ancient truths learned by experience) while some music is cutting-edge (it addresses realities of modern life). All of these musics enrich the congregation. So, the music we sing in worship has much more to do with love for others than with personal preference. By being open to trying different musical styles, people of all generations extend a loving hand.

Emma and I hope that you enjoy the mix of old and new, even if it feels a little strange at first. As Emma writes, "When the word of God is proclaimed in song, we release healing, deliverance, restoration, and we prepare our hearts to receive the Holy Spirit." 

-Hannah Cruse, Music Director & Accompanist

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Find recordings and lyrics to our Special Music and Closing Song below.

For the things we’ve done and left undone
For the ways we’ve wandered from your heart
Forgive us we pray
Forgive us we pray

For the idols we put on Your throne
For the loves we choose above Your own
Forgive us we pray
Forgive us we pray

Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy on us on us

For the lies that we clutch to our chests
For the fear that wants to steal our breath
Forgive us we pray
And give us Your grace

Were creation suddenly articulate

With a thousand tongues to lift one cry

Then from north to south and east to west

We'd hear 'Christ be magnified!'

Were the whole earth echoing His eminence
His name would burst from sea and sky
From rivers to the mountain tops
We'd hear 'Christ be magnified!'

O! Christ be magnified!
Let His praise arise
Christ be magnified in me
O! Christ be magnified!
From the altar of my life
Christ be magnified in me

When every creature finds its inmost melody
And every human heart its native cry
O then in one enraptured hymn of praise
We'll sing 'Christ be magnified!'