Music

Music begins every service at Bethlehem Baptist Church and plays an important part in worship services. Styles of music range from rock to gospel to folk to traditional hymns from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Lyrics to praise songs and hymns are projected onto a large screen above the stage that holds the musicians so that worshipers never need to look down at a hymnal. It is common to see parishioners swaying and bouncing in time to the music. Some know the lyrics to songs so well that they can close their eyes and sing from memory. Not all songs are in English; some integrate English and Spanish, and occasionally other languages make an appearance.

Below, listen to two 2012 clips of the congregation singing, with partial lyric transcriptions. 

"Come People of the Risen King"

" Rejoice, Rejoice! Let every tongue rejoice!

One heart, one voice; O Church of Christ, rejoice!

Over all the world, His people sing -
Shore to shore we hear them call
The Truth that cries through every age:
“Our God is all in all”! " 

"Oh Happy Day"

Oh, happy day

(Oh, happy day)

Oh, happy day

(Oh, happy day)

When Jesus washed

(When Jesus washed)

He washed my sins away!

spoken intercession: “Ain’t no party like a Holy Ghost party ’cause a Holy Ghost party don’t stop!”