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Praise God through song
By LINDA M. LINONIS
Music plays an important role in church services. But some choirs vacate the choir loft for the summer and leave the singing up to church members.
The Rev. Nick Mager, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, 201 Wick Ave., Youngstown, addressed this situation by asking for suggestions of favorite hymns from members.
“They suggest familiar hymns,” the Rev. Mr. Mager said, noting that being well-acquainted with the music and lyrics makes it easier for the congregation to sing.
He said his church is one where the choir is off during the summer. “When the choir is here to lead us, it’s an advantage,” Mr. Mager said. “I love to sing and learn new hymns."
One hymn that will be sung for Sunday, the Fourth of July, will be “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” “It’s known as the black national anthem,” he said. “It refers to the experience of African-Americans in this country.”
It was first written as a poem by James Weldon Johnson, an American author and poet. The opening lines, “Lift every voice and sing, till earth and Heaven ring, ring with the harmonies of liberty,” subtly refer to racism and the struggle for freedom.
Mr. Mager said “America the Beautiful” also is a good choice for this Independence Day weekend.
Some hymns that church members request aren’t in the hymnal. “They’re old favorites such as ‘Old Rugged Cross’ and ‘In the Garden,’” he said.
Mr. Mager said a tradition is the Wick Neighbors’ community ecumenical service. It will be at 10 a.m. July 11 and is in conjunction with Youngstown State University Festival of Arts. Participating congregations are St. John’s Episcopal Church, Butler Memorial Presbyterian Church, Oak Baptist Church and St. Columba Cathedral. “I’m Going Home So God Can Use Me” will be among selections he said of the African-American spiritual.
New Life Christian Fellowship, 2088 Tibbetts-Wick Road, Liberty, hosts a sing-along of old hymns about every other month. The next free program will be at 6:30 p.m. July 24.
Kay and Ernie Cunningham, members of the fellowship for seven years, said they “saw a need” for a sing-along.
“We have so much contemporary music but people really like the old hymns,” she said. “Older people really relate to that music.”
But, she noted, a combination of “old and new” keeps the music ministry vibrant and interesting. The sing-alongs have been featured for three years.
She said standards such as “Old Rugged Cross,” “In the Garden,” “How Great Thou Art,” “I Saw the Light” and “I’ll Fly Away” never get “old” for some and many are upbeat.
“We really have a wonderful time ... this is a way to praise God in song,” she said. “Music is another means to worship God and the songs remind us what the Lord did for us.”
Of the inspirational hymns, she said, “They give us hope and make us feel better.”
She said that she and her husband visit hospitals and nursing homes and sing. “People relate to music and often sing along,” she said.
Ernie Cunningham described the sing-along as a “hymn jam session.”
The event often attracts 50 to 60 people, sometimes fewer, depending on what else might be going on. Participants are not only from New Life but come from other churches, he said. Members and guests pitch in by playing instruments; Ernie Cunningham plays guitar; Kay Cunningham, piano and electric keyboard; and George Ryan, bass. “There’s also special music ... sometimes contemporary ... with soloists,” he said.
“Worshipping God can be in prayer, actions and music,” he said.
Mark Halls, minister of music at Western Reserve United Methodist Church, said the choir is “off” during the summer. Praise and worship groups and students fill the musical parts at the Canfield church.
He also noted that “America the Beautiful” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic” would be choices for Independence Day.
The church also features outdoor summer worship at 5 p.m. Saturdays and 8:30 a.m. Sundays in Woodland Haven on church grounds.