For more information on the Music Ministry or becoming part of music and arts in worship, contact Dr. Raymond Landis at

    First Presbyterian Church of Alton - 618-465-3592.

♦ Sanctuary Adult Choir                                                               ♦   Bell Choir rehearsal is held each Tuesday 

  Rehearsals are held each Wednesday evening at 6:30pm             evening at 5:00p.m.  Everyone is welcome to come

  in the Choir Room. No audition is necessary. We welcome                 ring with us!  No experience necessay!!!

  all who bring enthusiasm to our fellowship! 

MUSIC PROGRAM ANNOUNCMENTS

Thoughts on Music in Worship 

by Dr. Raymond E. Landis/Director of Music Ministry

“God is constantly creating, in us, through us, with us, and to co-create with God is our human calling…Unless we are creators we are not fully alive.”                                                                                                                                                                                                              – Madeleine L’Engle

To co-create with God is at the core of worship. Worship is participatory. It invites people of different ages, races, cultures, and genders to experience the awesome beauty and mystery of God's presence with us. Worship must both enrich the spirit of those participating and arouse and empower worshipers to live out the Gospel as illuminated by Jesus. As we engage in worship, we learn to reflect and embody the life of Jesus. We strive to experience the world through God's eyes, recognizing that each person is created in the "image of God."

At the same time, in worship we are reminded that in order to see the world through God's eyes, we have to remove the blinders and distorted lenses our culture provides. As we practice doing this, an alternative world view emerges and we yearn to live on the edge where God is. Our worship, at its best, equips us to walk with God through uncertain, and sometimes dangerous, terrain. Together we foster courage in each other to dream and act - to participate with God in creating a world where everyone's worth is affirmed.

This past year has been difficult for sure. We have grieved not being able to engage in probably the most participatory part of our worship – singing hymns together. We still do not know exactly when it will be safe to begin singing together in worship. But, we expect it will not be too much longer. During this time, we have learned how to participate and connect in different ways. On Pentecost Sunday, we experienced drumming as the choir led us in the rousing South African song of praise, Siyahamba! We were delighted to collaborate with Edith Chemorion, a pastor from Kenya. Over the past several months, the choir has learned to rehearse on Zoom and record videos of themselves. I realize that not everyone experiences the choir videos the same. For some the videos offer a meaningful way to encounter God through music in this challenging time. For others, the TV in the sanctuary takes away from their worship experience. For others, maybe some of both. I understand and empathize. It is important to keep in mind that this is temporary and it will not be long before we are back to singing together and experiencing the choir in person.

Even in “normal” times, not all music in our worship is sung together or sung at all. At times we will hear music played on the organ, handbells, or other instruments. Other music may be sung by a soloist or the choir alone. These musical moments still require your participation – but a different type of participation.  Those of us who present them are not performing for you. Instead, we are simply prompters.  The prelude, anthem, responses, and postlude offer sound scapes where each of us can encounter the Holy. The prelude calls us to prepare our hearts for worship. In the anthem and responses, we have a chance to reflect on the spoken word and imagine holy possibilities. Recognizing that we are all nurtured in different ways, I take delight in drawing on a wide range of musical styles and artistic expressions to awaking your imagination!

The final act of our worship is the Postlude. The Postlude presents one final moment to reflect and imagine before we go off to serve. Now that our spirits have been fed, what does that mean for us? What are we called to do with what we have experienced in worship?  We’re not always sure what to do when the postlude ends, often resulting in that somewhat awkward applause. I ask you to remember that the Postlude, like all parts of our worship, is not a performance. Applause is neither expected or sought. If you are moved by the service as a whole and feel a desire to clap, you certainly may. Or, you might consider raising up an “amen” as thanks to God.  For sure, it is my deepest desire that the music offered in worship will draw you into deeper communion as co-creators with God.