How Does Singing Bring You Closer To God?

By Jonathan Palant, Director of Music

The role of Chancel Choir is first and foremost to bring both our members and our congregation more at one with God. Sometimes we strive to do this through a solemn melody, while other times we hope you sing along praising as you go. No matter the melody, we sing to, for, and with God.

In this time of social distancing, Chancel Choir is clearly unable to make music together. While we have remained in contact with each other through Zoom calls, Sunday mornings are quite empty with no vocal warm-ups, no fellowship, and no rehearsal and worship.

This week, I posed a simple question to the members of Chancel Choir:

How does singing bring you closer to God?

I hope you embrace the [edited] responses below and know that all of us miss singing and miss the opportunity to worship as one with you and at one with God.

Peace and health to you all.

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Singing itself is a gift from God. Whether we sing for ourselves in rehearsal or for everyone in worship, I feel God's presence in both the music and the text. When we sing in front of the congregation, I can't help but see the face of God in each person. (Colleen Kelley)

Singing in the choir is serving God, and one is closer to God if they are serving him. Seeing the smiling faces in our church also gets me closer to God. (Robert Rodgers)

Singing in the Chancel Choir allows me to edify God and the congregation. This manner of worship allows me to praise and lament as we create one voice. I can sing anytime, but the community of the choir coming together and embracing each of the members connects me to a genuine family. I deeply miss those connections to the music and the memories that are created with songs. (Mattie Jette)

Singing helps me learn the words to the Bible verses I should be reading and never seem to get the chance to. (Glenn Shank)

I would say that sometimes the music gives me such joy that I am reduced to tears. Watching the congregation, as we provide the voice of song, is really what provides the link to God. (Susan Baxley)

Singing in the choir allows me to use the talents that God has given me.
When I am singing, I feel the presence and peace that I feel in no other place. Singing allows me to concentrate on not only the notes, but also the words. (Rick Gates)


Family is so very important to me; therefore, when I sing in Chancel Choir it is like being with family – God’s family. I feel the arms of God and the congregation around me when we are singing. Singing is a blessing given to me by God, so when I sing with Chancel Choir I feel as if I am giving thanks back to God for this blessing. (Diane Powell)

For more than four decades of my life, I did things like raise children, practice law, experience abuse, and drink until I passed out, but I didn’t sing. By one of his/her numerous miracles, I found God in a recovery program and everything about my life changed. God rescued me from abuse and alcohol. He also gave me a new, loving relationship with my children and extended family, and most miraculously, gave me loving friends who have encouraged me to explore all my life has to offer, like traveling, writing and singing. I love to sing. I especially love to sing in harmony with other singers. I don’t think there is a more beautiful sound than harmonious voices. And when the voices are singing words like, ‘rejoice’ and ‘alleluia’—words that literally (get it?) lift my spirit—I feel closer to God. I am missing my choir right now. I miss the singing and the comradery of the other members. I miss Jonathan’s direction, choice of music and his banter. Guess God has his reasons for keeping us apart. Probably so we will appreciate each other even more when we are finally able to come together again in song.  (Rosanne Gordon)

Everyone has gifts to share.  At KPUMC, singing in choir brings me closer to God because I feel as though I am individually connecting to each member of the congregation, which in turn, connects us all as one family worshiping God. (Rob Ballard)

Music is what touches me. It goes to my soul, and conversely, comes from my soul. Music has always affected me in so many ways. When I’m singing songs about God and what God has done or will do or can do, it is a huge connection for me. So many songs have wonderful memories for me, and many songs have very sad memories. My husband, the preacher, always told me to smile when I sang in the choir to shine God’s light! (Vickie Fisk)
  
Singing brings me closer to God because he whispers to me regularly: "I'm really not sure you belong in a choir group." I hear it constantly. (David Dunnigan)

I have always found that I feel most spiritually connected to God when singing in a choir or making music in general. Whether it’s feeling a connection to the music itself, or feeling connected with those around me, there is nothing quite like lifting my voice and expressing myself with others. When I first began singing with the KPUMC Chancel Choir, I was immediately taken by the people in this group. Their willingness to learn and be vulnerable, their compassion, and their welcoming spirit were just some of the traits that I gravitated towards. There have been so many moments where I have been moved to tears while singing in this group because of how strong God’s presence has been. And not just in services, but rehearsals too! I love making music with this wonderful group of people, and look forward to the day we can make music together again. (Mandy Monreal)

At KPUMC, I feel that I am part of a worshiping and outreaching community that is praising God and seeking God's comfort, strength, and guidance in our individual lives and through our cooperative actions. In the choir, often as I learn a new anthem or cantata, I try to look beyond the necessary technicalities of the music to grasp a hint of the divine inspiration that must have been felt deeply by the author and composer as they created that wonderful work.  And then I find it to be a joyful blessing from God when I combine with my choir friends, of varied backgrounds and with talents greater than my own, to try to share with the congregation that sense of divine inspiration, in (hopefully) harmonious proclamation. (Gary Zumwalt)