Music and Religion

My music and religious background began at a very early age. For as long as I can remember I have been attending Sunday church service, vacation bible school, or youth group. I was raised in a Christian household, specifically through an Episcopal Church. Many people are unfamiliar with the Episcopal religion and it is something I have spent a long time trying to explain to my friends. In Hendersonville, where I am from, the majority of people attend a traditional southern baptist church. So many of my experiences going to church with my friends was spent in baptist services. 

Although I identify as an episcopalian, I attended East Flat Rock First Baptist Wednesday night youth group throughout high school. I did this primarily to spend time with my friends but also enjoyed going to a less formal service throughout the week. One of the major differences between St. James Episcopal and East Flat Rock was the music. East Flat Rock primarily played modern, contemporary Christian music. The youth service, in particular, played a lot of Christian rock, as well as some more modern hip-hop like music.  This was an adjustment for me as I was used to church music being very traditional. 

As I stated before, St. James is a very traditional Episcopal church. The population of the church though fairly diverse contains primarily an older crowd. On Sundays, there are two larger services, one at 9:15 and one at 11:15. My family tends to attend the 11 o’clock service, which happens to be the “high” service or the more formal service. During the service, there is no way you could ever fall asleep, as you are up and down all service singing and listening. We have three different books of songs or hymns that we use throughout the service. There is a red hymnal, a blue hymnal, and a more modern book that also contains... you guessed it, hymnals. 

My church uses music throughout the service from beginning to end. When we sing, everyone sings. There are a few times where just the choir sings, but it is usually followed with the congregation joining in. We sing primarily for praise or celebration and are often accompanied by an organ. St. James is home to a beautiful pipe organ that we use in every service. Occasionally a guitar, piano, or percussion instrument will be used.