Sermons Sung

Sermons Sung,” a worship service of music and drama examining the stories behind seven familiar religious hymns, will be presented during the 9:45 a.m. Sunday service Jan. 17 at Southland Baptist Church (SBC), 4300 Meadow Creek Trail, San Angelo.

Dr. Terry York, associate dean for academic affairs and professor of Christian ministry and church music at Baylor University’s Truett Seminary, will serve as the lead narrator for the service. Dr. Tim Lyles, SBC’s associate pastor of worship, will serve as musical director. “Sermons Sung” was written by SBC member and author Preston Lewis.

The seven hymns featured in the presentation are “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” “Blessed Assurance,” “It Is Well With My Soul,” “Wonderful Words of Life,” “Just As I Am,” “This Is My Father’s World” and “Amazing Grace” with an original musical arrangement by SBC member Harriet Lewis.

“These hymns,” said Lyles “are representative of songs that have endured through generations as meaningful expressions of Christian faith and hope and continue to speak to us today in all circumstances of life.”

The dramatic portions of the service will be directed by Angelo State University theater senior Tyler Hastings and will feature six ASU theater majors and SBC church members in period costumes. Music will be provided by SBC’s Adult Sanctuary Choir and Southland Orchestra.

Participating ASU theater students are Nick Cline as Father Watts, Julia Rhea as Fanny Crosby, Adam Rich as Isaac Watts, Jacob Scott as Philipp Bliss and Jose Villedas as Dwight Moody. SBC members with speaking parts are Courtnie Pehl as Phoebe Knapp and Harriet Lewis as alternate narrator. Adam Rich will serve as costume designer and Elizabeth Holland as scenic designer.

Following the presentation of “Sermons Sung,” Dr. York will speak on church music in the SBC Sanctuary during the 11 a.m. Sunday School hour. Dr. York has published more than 40 hymns including well-known “Worthy of Worship” and 60 choral anthem texts set by numerous composers. He has been a featured speaker at worship conferences worldwide and authored “Rehearsing the Soul,” “Observing the Rests” and “The Voice of the Congregation.”

The church service and the remarks by Dr. York are open to the public. For more information, contact the Southland Baptist Church office at (325) 949-9633 or info@southlandbaptist.org.