"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord."

~Ephesians 5:19

Praying Twice

Each Sunday morning, in the quiet moments before the service begins, I find myself reflecting on all that is contributed to the creation of meaningful worship at Saint John's. From my place in the chancel, I have the privilege of witnessing the service from a unique perspective, aware of the scriptures, sermon, singing, and testimonies from the chancel and the prayers, singing, and reflection from the congregation. There are the moments of silence that speak just as powerfully as spoken words. We pray together, we listen together, and yes, we sing together. Week after week, I am moved by the care with which these elements come together to support the message being shared, a message that we will each carry into the week ahead. It is a gift to experience worship in this way.

At last Sunday’s 11 a.m. service, a group of children were seated in the first pew directly in front of me. As we sang the opening hymn "Gather Us In", I found myself captivated by their enthusiasm and exuberance. They sang with energy, joy, and complete abandon. The melody and words seemed rooted deep within each of them. As I observed the children, I began thinking about the generations of people who have sung our hymns—children learning them for the first time, adults carrying them through life's joys and sorrows, and seasoned worshipers who have sung them for decades. One of the great gifts of congregational singing is that it connects us to one another across generations, not simply as individuals, but as a faith community lifting our voices together in musical prayer.

That is one reason music occupies such a unique place in worship. Throughout each service, hymns reinforce scripture, sermon, and occasion, giving voice to beliefs and emotions that can sometimes be difficult to express through spoken words alone.

My own journey into music ministry began long before I understood what music ministry was. I grew up in a Catholic family where church attendance was simply a part of life. My family moved around a lot and no matter where we lived, my mother found her place in the church choir. Looking back, I realize that some of my earliest memories of faith are connected to music, following my mother’s lead.

Music was woven into my life throughout childhood. My grandmother faithfully drove me to piano lessons each week, beginning when I was 7 years old and living in Arlington, Virginia. Years later, as a high school student in New Jersey, I was offered the opportunity to serve as organist and choir director for my parish. It is difficult to overstate how much I learned from the singers who welcomed and encouraged me, a young musician finding his way.

What I did not realize then was that those experiences were shaping a lifelong understanding of worship. Through my experience in church music, I’ve realized that singing is about so much more than performance. It’s also about inspiring and giving people an outlet to pray, reflect, celebrate, grieve, and connect more deeply with God. I am especially grateful for the members of the Chancel Choir, who so generously share their time, talents, and hearts in service to this congregation week after week, as well as Cina Crisara, who has faithfully and graciously led the Saint John’s music ministry for so many years with love and care.

This coming Sunday, our worship together will be in celebration of our music ministry. My hope is that you will do more than listen on Music Sunday. Sing. Lift your voice alongside those around you. Experience what it means to be part of a community joined together through faith and song. And for a final thought, consider this modern adaptation of a well-known 4th century quote attributed to St. Augustine: Those who sing, pray twice.