Jesus At the Jukebox –

“What are you listening to?” This is a common question to all those folks you see wearing headphones or ear buds. But it is a question that we might all want to ask ourselves since the music we listen to often informs or confirms our opinions and beliefs. Music can also influence our mood in the moment and our emotional well being for a minute, a day, perhaps even a lifetime.

In a November 2017 Forbes article the following quote appeared, “According to a new report released by Nielsen Music, on average, Americans now spend just slightly more than 32 hours a week listening to music. That’s an incredible figure, and it shows significant growth from even just the past two years. In 2016, Americans listened to an average of 26.6 hours of music per week, while the year prior, it was just 23.5 hours.” It could be said that music has almost become a full time preoccupation with people. Other surveys have shown that most people tend to listen to the music that most influenced them in their teens and early twenties and that now with the technological ability to create one’s own playlists or to find a satellite station only playing songs of their generation there is the possibility of missing out on some of the musical currents that drive much of our lives together.

“Jesus at the Jukebox” is a ten week sermon series on the spiritual and theological questions raised by songs that have been played on the country, pop, folk radio stations over the past few years. Come hear how ideas that were talked about in ancient times have a voice in our common life together today.

Church service is regularly held at 10 am on Sundays, with the exception of: June 30, July 28, August 25 when service will be held at 5pm followed by a potluck picnic. All are welcome all the time!

The series will feature the following lineup:

6/30 – "Down to the River to Pray", Allison Krauss

7/7 – "Happy", Pharell Williams

7/14 – "Hello", Adele

7/21 – Worship in a New Key

7/28 – "The Bible", John McCutcheon

8/4 – "Betty's Diner", Carrie Newcomer

8/11 – "Keep Your Head Up", Andy Grammer

8/18 – "Jesus, Take the Wheel", Carrie Underwood

8/25 – "Waiting on the World", John Mayer

9/1 – "Love Rescue Me", Playing for Change

9/8 – "All the Single Ladies", Beyonce

Willow Grove Presbyterian Church is an active congregation of all ages committed to growing in faith, serving the community, and reflecting God's love in worship, education, service, and the arts. The church is located at 1961 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains, across from the Southside fire station at South Martine and Raritan Road. The church is nearby to South Plainfield, Edison, Plainfield, and Fanwood. All facilities are handicapped accessible and there is ample on-site parking. For more information call 908-232-5678 or visit willowgrovechurch.org.