by Lyndon Pangilinan
“Speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs; sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. (Ephesians 5:19-20) In obedience to this sacred mandate, the GSCC organized a choir shortly after its inception in Oct. 2005. Organizing a choir as one of its ministerial priorities, the GSCC was continuing a 3000-year old tradition begun in the Old Testament by King David who was said to have “ ordered that there be music 7 days a week 24 hours a day to worship God in the tabernacle.” We can recall that the initial members of the church were families who have been together for many years. Most of these families were already in the choir ministry, giving and dedicating their time and talent for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. The choir‘s inception has its parallel in 1 Chronicles 9:33: “Now these are the singers head of fathers’ households of the Levites who lived in the chambers of the temple free from other service, for they were engaged in their work day and night.” 1 Chronicles 23:5 noted that “David appointed 4000 Levites whose job it was to play and sing praise to God continually.”
With Pastor Eric Faustino and Terry Luna as directors, the GSCC Choir was born. The latter left in 2007 and I was designated to take over. The ministry was tasked to support our Sunday Worship Services through special numbers and hold musical presentations during Easter and Christmas. These annual musical presentations have honed the musical talents of the members and attracted others who have an inclination to music. More significant perhaps is that the choir has contributed to the spiritual growth and membership of the church. Through these special numbers and musical presentations, the choir has consistently led the GSCC assembly in song and worship; moreover, the choir’s enthusiasm in their role as a ministry has, through their music, ushered in Spirit-filled moments experienced by members. Undoubtedly, God, has been using this ministry to make His holy presence felt among the congregation.
As the church grows in number and maturity in the Lord, He continues to bring in talents who are willing to dedicate themselves to the choir ministry. GSCC’s vision and mission is to be a church that loves GOD and others and to bring the church to the community. God has opened up opportunities for the church and the choir to reach out. We minister in other churches, perform on special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries and comfort the bereave who have lost their loved ones. We go out to bring cheers to families and friends, and minister through music to the sick and elderly at care homes and hospitals during Christmas for them to feel the meaning of the season. Recently the Lord also opened the door for the choir to minister at other places like Seafood City (Season’s Plaza) and Eastridge Mall. Two weeks after, Seafood City again invited the choir to bring Christmas cheers to its host of clients. This Christmas, the GSCC choir staged a musical drama presentation entitled “The Christmas Song.” This exciting ministry, through our Lord Jesus for whom we have unceasingly sung songs of joy and thanksgiving, has continually touched the lives of people, drawing them nearer to Him. For the choir members it has been a privilege to be ambassadors of God’s love through music who are not unlike the prophets in the Old Testament presenting their messages from God in song.
We in the GSCC choir have to understand our task as a ministry authorized to support in praise and worship through music our pastors as they bring God’s words to the believers. A strong desire to excel, an increased respect for the congregation and a deep reverence for the God we are singing for will still bring out the best in our talents. Excel we must, for we have to offer God our best. Martin Luther puts this succinctly: ” In the cultivation of music at the highest levels of artistic excellence the perfect goodness and wisdom of God are displayed.”
