Yes, let it be heard here: I AM AN OLD FOGEY!
\nPart of my extended family attended church at my Mother’s church this Sunday. My oldest sister and two of her children, my youngest sister and her husband, and a friend of theirs from Wisconsin, Dear Husband and I attended the contemporary service. I have tried to “go with the flow” and just worship and not be critical, but the contemporary service is not for me.
\nI studied music and music education. Along the way I realized that my way of worshiping was going to involve music. “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!” And I did, and have. But, at this particular church, for the contemporary service, they post the lyrics on the screens at the front of the church and have two (or more) people at the front of the church leading the hymns. There is no written music to read. It is extremely difficult to sing out (and make a joyful noise), if you don’t know the music.
\nOkay, perhaps if they sang the same songs over time, you might begin to learn the music, but as a visitor I am muffled and can’t encourage those around me to sing with me. It defeats my worship, and leaves me feeling cranky.
\nI understand the reasons for what’s being done. The church is saving on the cost of hymnals, and the cost of royalties to project the music on the screens. Perhaps many younger people have not learned to read music, so the hymnal is wasted on them. And the modern music is more in line with what younger people hear and like.
\nI miss the traditional hymns and the traditional parts of the Protestant services. I miss being able to harmonize and lift my voice in worship. Clearly, I will have to attend the earlier service in the future.
\nThe old fogey has spoken!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Yes, let it be heard here: I AM AN OLD FOGEY! Part of my extended family attended church at my Mother’s church this Sunday. My oldest sister and two of her children, my youngest sister and her husband, and a … Continue reading