St Mary’s Host Sacred & Secular Music Night

With a setlist that included classic songs by Bon Jovi, Live, Rival Sons, Springsteen, Delta Rae and Dorothy, the Sacred & Secular Music Night wasn’t your usual St Mary’s service.

In what might be a first for the Dio, the team received a (very polite) visit from noise control!

Here’s what Rev Kath Bier and band leader Carl Billington from St Mary’s Silverstream said about the night.  

“Mostly, it’s about celebrating the gift of music that God’s given us – music resonates across culture, age, and all works of life,” says Carl.

“We wanted to use some of the great songs the world has given us to acknowledge the human experience we all share, with all of its pains and sorrows, but ultimately point to the invitation of hope that Jesus sets before us,” he said.  

“Including our Advent events, this is the sixth one of these evenings we’ve hosted,” Kath adds.

“It’s been really special seeing a number of people come who might not usually set foot inside a church, but they know and love the songs, and then they join us for a communion of naan bread and mulled wine with a simple liturgy that’s built around the gift of music.”

“It’s a really easy first step in the door for those who love music and might be curious about God and faith but perhaps find a full noise Sunday service a bit daunting.

“We share a different type of ‘noise’ with them in these nights, but the message underneath it all is the same: Jesus is throwing the greatest party on the planet, there’s food and music, and everyone is invited!,” Kath explains.

Carl says the songs are the ‘soundtrack of our lives’ and describe our human experience.

“Occasionally, we close with a hymn or two, but it’s mostly it’s songs from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s that so many people know.

“We can all relate to the story of Tommy and Gina as their living on a prayer, we all know the chaos and confusion when lightning crashes around us, and we all long for the rising, when all is made new. There’s so much to enjoy and celebrate together in these songs – and it’s a great way to get to know the neighbourhood: including our friendly local noise control officer,” Carl adds with a smile.   

The next event will be the annual Awaiting & Celebrating the Messiah Advent night. Keep an eye on the St Mary’s Facebook page if you’re keen to join in: https://www.facebook.com/Stmarys.org.nz.