MUSIC AND THE CHURCH

Religious Music (also sacred music) is music performed or composed for religious use or through religious influence. A lot of music has been composed to complement religion, and many composers have derived inspiration from their own religion. Many forms of traditional music have been adapted to fit religions' purposes or have descended from religious music. There is a long history of Christian Church music. Charles Wesley considered one of the most important and influential composers in the United Methodist Church wrote most of his music for the Christian Church. Religious music often changes to fit the times; Contemporary Christian music, for example, uses idioms from various secular popular music styles but with religious lyrics. Gospel music has always done this.

Christian Music is music that has been written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life and faith. Common themes of Christian music include praise, worship, penitence, and lament, and its forms vary widely across the world. Like other forms of music the creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of Christian music varies according to culture and social context. Christian music is composed and performed for many purposes, ranging from aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, or as an entertainment product for the marketplace.
The Music Ministry at first United Methodist Church, Monrovia, has been and is still contributing to the growth and development of the Church. The Church is blessed with four choirs: the Children Choir, Tabernacle Choir; John Wesley Choir and the Combined Choir. In 1987, after 35 years, the Music Ministry under the leadership of Bro. Martinus L. Johnson purchased and replaced the Church's Old Organ. This replaced Organ was only four years old when it had to be silent due to the lack of electricity resulting from the civil crisis in Liberia. To date, the organ has been damaged by rodents. This is due to the inactivity of the Organ over a period of fifteen years.

Once again, under the leadership of Bro. Martinus L. Johnson, the First United Methodist Church-Monrovia-USA Reunion is soliciting financial contribution from members, friends and well wishers to purchase a new organ. Contributions can be made to: The First United Methodist Church-Monrovia-USA Reunion, and mailed to Post Office Box 181, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020.
As usual, Pastor Erlene Thompson, and the entire membership of FUMC Monrovia thank you for your generous donation.