Sung Liturgy & Music
Music is at the heart of our worship at St John’s.
In the Anglican tradition, music is not an addition to the liturgy — it is the liturgy’s voice.
It helps us offer our praise, lifts our hearts in prayer, and draws our community together in worship.
Whether through a well-loved hymn, a simple chant, or the quiet beauty of an organ prelude, music shapes our encounter with God.
Why We Sing
Singing helps us:
- praise God with joy and reverence
- listen deeply to Scripture
- participate fully in the Eucharist
- experience the beauty of holiness
- pray together as one body
Even if you feel unsure about singing, you are invited — and encouraged — to join in.
Our worship is a shared offering to God.
Hymns and Chant
At the 9.30 am Sung Eucharist, we draw on rich Anglican hymnody, often from:
- Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New
- Together in Song
- A Hymn Book for Australian Use
- The English Hymnal / New English Hymnal
We also use simple chant for parts of the Eucharist, allowing the congregation to sing the liturgy with confidence and grace.
Feast Days & Seasons
On major feasts and during seasons such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter, music plays a special role in helping us enter more deeply into the mystery of Christ’s life.
- Advent: quiet, expectant
- Christmas: joyful and full of light
- Lent: reflective, prayerful
- Easter: triumphant, hopeful
Music gives voice to the changing seasons of the Christian year.
The Organ
Our pipe organ supports congregational singing and contributes to the contemplative atmosphere of Sunday worship.
Prelude and postlude music offer space for prayer and reflection before and after the Eucharist.
Would You Like to Get Involved?
If you enjoy singing or playing music, we’d love to hear from you.
We welcome people who wish to contribute to the musical life of the parish.
“Sing to the Lord a new song.” — Psalm 96
May our music always open our hearts to God’s presence and lead us deeper into His love.