Music is a gift from God to be used for His glory.
STATEWIDE – Music is a gift from God to be used for His glory.
The Scriptures recognize music and song as a means for praise, a means of expressing joy, thanksgiving, sorrow for sin, a means of prayer, and a means of teaching and spiritual communication.
There are numerous references to music found throughout the Bible; it plays an important and vital role in the worship of God.
Southern Baptist churches embrace a wide variety of music in worship, bringing together the latest praise and worship songs to tried and true traditional hymns.
So, just how important is music in a worship service?
“I think it can be as important as the message,” said Bruce Lee, music minister at First Baptist Church in Doyline. “It certainly plays as big a part as the message itself, because it helps to open people’s hearts to hear God’s Word.
“I know personally, there have been times when the hair on my arms have stood up just from the music service,” said Lee. “The song and music helps to set the mood of the worship service.”
David Cranford, pastor of First Baptist Tioga agrees, “Music sets the tone for the entire service. It leads people to the throne of Grace, and allows us to receive our Lord’s message.”
John Frank Reeve, director of music at First Baptist Lafayette, believes music, “expresses to God in ways words alone cannot. Just like it instructs us in the Bible, music and song allows people to praise and worship him. Just like an artist, God gives us a lot to work with musically.”
One of the key ingredients, though, to the music ministry is the music generated by either the piano or the organ. Other types of musical instruments are used, but there is just something about a piano or organ that helps complete the music.
Both First Baptist Tioga and First Baptist Lafayette were blessed with two gifted and devoted women who played both the piano and organ for numerous years.
Mabel Hargis Smith, a long-time teacher at Tioga High School, played for 61 years at First Baptist Tioga before retiring three years ago. Though retired and approaching her 90th birthday, she still finds time to play for three Sunday school classes and for various groups.
“She is one of our most respected members of this church,” said Cranford. “Mabel spreads the Gospel through music and the way she has lived her life. She is a living role model and follower of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Lafayette’s 79-year-old Nell Lokey, who also was a schoolteacher, retired after 47 years of playing the piano at First Baptist Lafayette.
“She was a very accomplished pianist,” said Reeve. “She played the piano, the organ and she was the accompanist for the adult choir. It just won’t seem the same without her accompanying the choir.”
The church plans on honoring her with a Nell Lokey day on Sept. 20 and there will be a reception from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall.
Those two churches, both of which are located in larger, more populace areas, have been able to find replacements for these special ladies. However, it is a different story in the more rural areas.
Lee’s church is presently one of several rural churches around the state searching for a full-time pianist to help fulfill that role.
“We had a lady – Janice Nelson – who played the piano for 20 years,” said Lee. “A long-time member of the church, she recently decided it was time for her to step down. Now, we are doing it pretty much by committee. My wife Marilyn plays the organ, but I have three or four ladies who rotate. But it is difficult on them and on our choir to work with someone different each week.”
Another church in search of a pianist is Lake St. John Baptist, which is located near Ferriday, and just like First Baptist Church in Doyline has not been successful finding someone just yet.
“Presently, Fulton McGraw, our interim music minister, is leading our music and his wife is playing piano,” said Karl Wilson, pastor of Lake St. John. “We have been advertising for some time trying to find a pianist.”
“We have used tracts and other mechanical means to provide music for our chorale arrangements,” said Lee. “It’s just not the same, though, as having someone playing as we sing. To me, there is something missing. The service isn’t complete without the live music.”