“Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:11). Presbyterians and Roman Catholics believe this. And I share this belief as a practicing Catholic serving in ministry at First Church.
In 2021, First Church warmly welcomed my wife Christine and me. I had been a parish and cathedral music minister in the Catholic Diocese of Metuchen, New Jersey, for 34 years. Pastor Doug assured us that conversion wasn’t an expectation of employment, and he valued the fresh perspective my Catholic background brought. With that, I knew we had found a home, and I transitioned from Catholic liturgy to Presbyterian worship with curiosity and openness.
Since joining the staff, I have had to re-calibrate my understanding of certain traditions. All Saints Day, for example, is a day to remember the dead; however, in the Catholic tradition, it is a day to hold declared saints as models of the faith while remembering the dead on All Souls Day. Reformation Sunday and kirkin’ of the Tartan were new experiences for me, and many Presbyterian hymns have been new, while others have been in my repertoire for decades.
I often participate in or attend some of the wonderful opportunities for spiritual growth at First Church, including Wednesday in the Word, Winter Bible Study, Life Academy, and Men’s Ministry activities. But my daily prayer begins with the day’s liturgical readings, and during Lent, my wife Christine and I will also participate in stations of the cross at the Catholic church.
Separate from my responsibilities at First Church with worship and First Academy of Music, I continue to be a resource to Catholic churches and have served at local Saturday Masses as an organist. As a Catholic organist leading a Presbyterian congregation in the praise of God through song, I am quite comfortable using my musical gifts entrusted to me by God here at First Church.
God has bestowed upon his people the gift of song. God dwells within each human person, in the place where music takes its source. Indeed, God, the giver of song, is present whenever his people sing his praises. (Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship, USCCB )
As a church, we are united in this belief: “We should glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection, through whom we are saved and delivered” (entrance Antiphon for Holy Thursday Mass). I focus on this and the shared mission of the church: worship, care of the poor and sick, and evangelization. My energy is not exhausted on the differences in doctrine and practices of the faith, such as Sola Scriptura vs. Scripture and tradition, or the theology of the eucharist.
So, let us invite the giver of song into our midst each Sunday by exercising our unified voices in praise. Our Chancel Choir gives witness to this unity. The theology of the choral texts, expounded upon masterfully each week by Director of Sacred Arts Jeff Faux, informs the fullness of the choir’s musical offering. The tone, pulse, and phrasing emerge from an openness by each member to internalize the texts crafted in faith by each composer.
A singing congregation shows an abiding faith, and I am honored to support that singing through my playing. Let us together: “Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim till all the world adore his sacred name.” That’s a famous hymn found in most hymnals! keep singing with all your heart and lungs in faith and love.
by Thom DeLessio, Director of First Academy of Music, Associate Director of Sacred Arts
