Socially Distanced Easter Music

Many who read my blog will be very conscious that this Easter the expression of faith in church worship around the world will look very different. Music plays a huge role in the expression of faith and has done so through the centuries in all sorts of styles and genres. For many people such musical expression is especially meaningful at key points in the year, such as Easter and Christmas.

Music can be composed, changed and rearranged to fit the setting, and it’s good for us to be able to embrace necessary change without hankering after what we might have had a few short weeks ago (or sometimes centuries ago!) The Gospel story we reflect on hasn’t changed, but maybe just now the way we express our worship will be a bit different. And that’s okay.

Since the lockdown here in NZ our fellowship of believers in our small community of West Melton have been having online services. Aspects of the service have been recorded in various homes and stitched together to make a service. As far as musical input is concerned, there has been a switch from the full band to a few instruments, or even just one, because recording with a makeshift setting in our homes is best kept simple.

So, given that it is Easter week, I’d like to share one of my favourite hymns on piano and cello for your times of personal reflection. It’s a first for me to play them both at once! Not quite… I recorded the piano a while ago, but only added the cello today.

If you do not follow any faith, or are unfamiliar with this piece, I hope you can still enjoy the music.

For those who know the words, I hope you will find it encouraging for this different time we are all going through. Know that our Heavenly Father is our “Rock within a weary land” and he is with us on this journey. We can still thank him for the eternal hope he has given us through the death and resurrection of Jesus.