Our morning’s worship last Sunday was a musical treat for us all. In the absence of our planned preacher who was indisposed, our service was taken by two of our regular worshippers, Mr Jonathan Baddeley and his wife Pamela Baddeley. They were warmly welcomed and thanked by steward Margaret Maxwell for stepping into the breach.
Both Jonathan and Pam are gifted musicians, Jonathan on the piano, clarinet and ukulele and Pam with her lovely singing voice.
They had chosen as their theme, “Worship through Music” and they led through the service a musical tour of Christian music and experiences enjoyed by worshippers down the years.
Jonathan began as he spoke of the therapy provided by listening to music, and the congregation sang “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” by the greatest hymn writer of all, Charles Wesley (1707 – 88) Ron Lucas read Psalm 150 which speaks of the musical instruments used for praising God.
After our prayers of praise and adoration Pam introduced us to aspects of music including the orchestra, leading hymn writers, prayers and songs, including a lively rendition of “O Happy Day and What a friend we have in Jesus”, played by Jonathan on his clarinet, and ukulele accompanied by Pam with her lovely voice. Pam had chosen four hymns read as prayers by Muriel, Peter, Jill and Pam before Pam recounted her Sunday School Anniversary experiences growing up in the Potteries. This was a time of great nostalgia in music.
We sang “Guide me O Thou Great Jehovah” with great feeling before Margaret Maxwell read from Isaiah, chapter 55, and we concluded an uplifting service as we sang “You shall go with Joy”. Jonathan and Pam were thanked most warmly for a lovely and different act of worship
appreciated by us all.