I used to think that worship experiences only ever happened at church. (At least, while I was growing up.)
Worship services were this set of curated sequences of songs, sermons, responses, and release—and the “world” outside simply couldn’t offer the same.
That view was totally upended in my first year of college.
Here’s that experience.
Rehearsal Time
It happened during a concert band rehearsal while I was freshman in college. I was playing trombone in the university concert band, and up to that point, I had mostly played marching band tunes, a few easy grade concert pieces—nothing that had really moved me.
For the most part, I was in concert band because: 1) it was part of my scholarship fund for tuition; and 2) it was required for my major. Plus, I knew that there was a lot to learn under the veteran directors, even though my post-graduation goals would be focused on guitar, not wind ensembles.
So one day, our director had a “new” piece laid out for us: “Salvation Is Created” by Pavel Chesnokov, arranged by Bruce Houseknecht. Originally, it was a choral work based on a Kievan hymn within the Russian Orthodox Church. For this reason, our director laid his baton down and said, “Just watch my hands.”
He drew himself into the starting posture, led us all in the first breath…
And then one of the most moving musical experiences I’ve had flowed for the next few minutes.
I’ll let you experience the arrangement for yourself:
After we finished reading through it, I was struck by the feeling I had: something that felt we had transcended notes on a page—it was almost spiritual, and pointed to the divine nature of our holy God. It was like being in church, but instead, I was in the basement of a university hall.
I knew immediately that I had to find the choral version.
Listening to the Voices
When I researched the original choral work, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had never heard much “eastern” choral music, but from what I had just played, I found the harmonies and melodies to be timeless, rooted, original… They didn’t seem novel or quirky.
This was accentuated and amplified even more when I heard the first notes sung. Here’s a recording from the PaTRAM Institute:
Even more so than the concert band arrangement, the choral version heightens the ethereal, ancient feeling that drips from every note. To this day, I go back and listen to it whenever I’m looking for inspiration or just to appreciate something beautiful.
The Text
Originally, the text is in Church Slavonic, traditionally used in the Russian Orthodox Church, inspired by Psalm 74:
Spaséniye sodélal yesí posredé ziemlí, Bózhe. Allilúiya.” (“Salvation is wrought in the midst of the earth, O God. Alleluia.”)
What a simple yet powerful mediation—made even more vibrant by the careful, creative, and rich musical setting.
So for a strategy this week?
Spend lots of time with the song. Let it soak into your ears.
Spend lots of time in Psalm 74. Let the words soak into your soul.
Spend lots of time praying over the what the Lord is showing as “salvation is wrought throughout the earth.”
Be blessed 👊✌️
Derek is the founder and director of Worship Strategies and is also Creative Ministries Director Faith Family Church in Fayette, MO. Outside of ministry, he is active as a musician and entrepreneur. He is married to his wife Kaitlynn, and they have two beautiful daughters.
Want Our Help with Your Worship Ministry?
A big part of what we do at WORSHIP STRATEGIES is to help churches improve how they worship.
Practically, this looks like discipleship, leadership coaching, music instruction, and production advising to help your team grow and excel in their giftings to glorify God and edify His people.
The cool thing? We do this free of financial obligation for each church. We have a growing team of folks who support us in our work for YOU 🫵 and be a blessing to churches who need help but lack tangible resources for improvement.
If you’re interested in working with us, then just click the button below to get started.
