The lyrics may be the same, but it's not your grandparents' hymns that are performed at Pantano Baptist Church.
The church holds a Country Gospel Worship at 9 a.m. Sundays with professional country singer and songwriter DeLon Thompson. The church is located at 225 S. Pantano Road.
The service features Thompson on piano, the Rev. Glen Foster on guitar and Carlos Campos on drums.
The trio plays reinventions of old hymns, using their lyrics and beats but giving the songs an updated, country feel.
"It's not like normal spiritual music - it has its own sound," said Thompson, who has recorded several CDs and plays shows in and around Tucson.
"People enjoy hearing those old sounds; now we've rearranged them."
The service blends musical interludes with short sermons delivered by Foster, who invites the more than 60 parishioners to stand, dance and clap during the songs.
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Thompson, who is also a member of the church, said people have rhythm inside themselves. "It feels good to worship, and I think the music is a really big part of that," he said.
"We just want to have fun, and we think God would want us to have fun, too."
Foster sees the importance of having Thompson at the church.
"He brings a fine Christian spirit. His goal is to worship the Lord, and do it in a little different way," Foster said.
The Country Gospel worship is every Sunday at 9 a.m. For more information, call the church at 296-3740.
The church also offers a traditional service at 11 a.m. Sundays.
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Benefit concert
Pantano Baptist Church is hosting "The Not So Grand Old Slopry and Sloppy Joes" event to benefit a youth summer mission trip.
The event, on April 18, will feature dinner at 5:30 p.m. and entertainment at 7 p.m.
Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under.
Call the church at 296-3740 for more information.
Contact photographer Dean Knuth at dknuth@azstarnet.com or 573-4155.
