I have a strong connection to church music from my first choir at the First Baptist Church of Lafayette, Louisiana and through my entire life. This is a page of some of the music I've made in churches I've served in. My attitude toward the role of music in worship can be summarized in a prayer that I wrote for church musicians.

The Church Musician's Prayer

O God, You have blessed us with talents and gifts beyond our deserving. We come before You now in a joyful response to Your blessings; to foster our talents and to offer their first fruits to You.

We recognize that our efforts, marred by our sin, are a dim reflection of the angelic host singing to You in heaven. Our pride tempts us to use Your gifts for our personal glory, rather than as an opportunity for service. Our focus is often on our performance to the determent of our purpose; we are here to serve You. Humble us, Lord.

We ask that You strengthen our voices and bodies for Your service. Help us as we emphasize in song the same message our worship leaders express in words and prayers. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit and transform our music into a gift pleasing to You and meaningful to the congregation we serve. We ask all this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

by Anthony L. Awtrey

A version formated for printing can be downloaded here.

Advent Service 2006 - 40MB Streaming Video
This piece was recorded at the St. Stephen Presbyterian Church during Advent 2006. It features the music from a special advent service where the choirs from both Palmdale Presbyterian Church of Melbourne, FL joined us at St. Stephen Presbyterian Church to celebrate the Advent season.

The Exultet - 8.9MB MP3 File
Music: John Weaver
This piece was recorded at the Palmdale Presbyterian Church on Easter Eve, 2002. Peg Sylvester accompanied on the organ.

Were You There - 3.6MB MP3 File
Music: Spiritual
This piece was recorded at the Palmdale Presbyterian Church on Good Friday, 2002. This piece was sung acapella.

With What Shall I Come? - 3.1MB MP3 File
Music: Unknown
This piece was recorded at the Palmdale Presbyterian Church on Christmas Eve, 2001. Peg Sylvester accompanied on the organ.

Mercies - 7.3MB MP3 File
Music: Mendohlson
This piece was recorded at the Palmdale Presbyterian Church on Palm Sunday, April 8, 2001. I sang this as a duet with Eric Hodgson. Peg Sylvester accompanied on the organ.

The Palms - 7.3MB MP3 File - Lyrics
Music: J. B. Faure
This piece was recorded at the Palmdale Presbyterian Church on Palm Sunday, April 8, 2001. I sang this as a solo with Peg Sylvester accompanying on the organ.

The Gift Of Love - 4.4MB MP3 File - Lyrics
Music: Traditional Scottish Song
This piece was recorded at the Palmdale Presbyterian Church on Sunday, March 25, 2001. The duet was made up of myself and Dr. Eric Hodgeson. This recording was made using Eric's new portable recorder. Once I removed the tape hiss using Sound Forge 4 it plays very clean.

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - 1.7MB MP3 File - Lyrics
Music: J. S. Bach
This piece was recorded at the Palmdale Presbyterian Church on Sunday, August 22, 1999. The quartet was made up of myself, Rex Soule, Peter Hemmer and Dr. Eric Hodgeson. It is a simple arrangement of the Bach Jesu. Even though the recording was made using a small handheld tape recorder I think it came out pretty good.