Light Music

A Musical Challenge

 By Mark Pemberthy

About Light Music

Light Music is a group of musicians from Staplehurst and Lenham United Reformed Churches. We have led celebrations and worship in both of these, plus a number of other Kent churches.  We are Mark and Darrell from Staplehurst, and Dave and Jenny from Lenham.  We have also been joined by Stafford, Ruth and Chris at various times.

Song writing

In December 2000 song writing began, firstly with Jenny and then with myself. I had also written some earlier songs. As the songs were used in worship, so it seemed that we were blessed with more songs.

In April 2001 some of us attended Spring Harvest.  During the convention, an organisation called Signify made a presentation about the plight of AIDS orphans in Africa. Everyone was given a ten-pound note, with the challenge to turn the ten pounds into a hundred pounds or even a thousand pounds.

The challenge

Light Music decided to take up this challenge together and record the songs to sell to local church members.   What followed was an example of God taking everyone’s expectations and stretching them. More songs were written, clearly inspired, and a formidable catalogue of worship songs was in place.

We had no illusions of musical brilliance, but also knew that we had to achieve a good standard of recording. Studio costs were far beyond us. Chris from Lenham (a member of Headcorn Baptist Church) joined us, and a friend of his offered to do the recording at the Headcorn church.

Setbacks

As the time of recording approached the vision for the whole project still seemed too much. I had undergone throat surgery and still was experiencing difficulty. Church members who heard the songs in church were very supportive and this encouraged us all to press on.

The recording began and we were encouraged by the standard of sound reproduction.  Eventually the draft copy of To Whom Shall We Go? was ready. It was not the polished perfect recording to be obtained in a studio, but it was the sound of people in praise and worship, singing songs of clarity and distinction. That is what we had sought after.

God has owned this project from the start. He inspired the songs and gave us the desire collectively to develop them. He showed us a great need in the orphaned children of African AIDS victims and caused compassion to blossom in our hearts.

He caused things to fall into place that enabled recording to be done and through that caused His strength to be shown in our own weakness. He showed us that there was no limit to how great or small this project became, apart from the limit of His desire for it. All group members acknowledge His Sovereignty over the project and its outcome.

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory,because of your love and faithfulness." 

Psalm 115 v 1

If you would like a copy of the CD, contact jenny@lenhamurc.org.uk

We will send you one in return for a donation towards the charity (plus postage & packing)   

Here are a few samples of our tracks.