09/09/2026
Hello Friends of “Sermon ’n’ Song”,
Twenty-five years ago today, Betty and I began a new chapter in life and ministry. Having closed out 30 years of local church music ministry at Burge Terrace Baptist Church - mostly with Dr. DeWayne Felber - we packed it up, made it portable, and moved on to preach the “Word of Christ “and proclaim “His Salvation” with “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs”.
We set out with a somewhat unique idea for ministry which became known as “Sermon ’n’ Song”. Paul would preach and we would insert fitting gospel songs along the way. The stories behind the hymns became our visualized sermon illustrations.
Our schedule was already filling in and our first church was the next Sunday at Thompson Road Baptist, Indianapolis. Little did any know what was to transpire on the preceding Tuesday, September 11. It became known as 9-11.
Months later, we incorporated the ministry as a non-profit 501(c) (3) religious organization and established a functioning board. It became our financial framework with accountability. Those on the board became a blessing and have remained so ever since.
We soon began to criss-cross America with invitations for meetings. We worked up many new duets for trumpet-trombone. We developed a method for playing a full set of hand chimes with only the two of us. We did some recordings.
Near the end of 2006, a group of thieves broke into our home, taking all financial records, schedules, music, and preaching ministry materials as stored in computer form. External backup also were taken. During the same time, Paul was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, a cancer which affects the lymph node system. Months of chemo and radiation were ahead.
We slowly rebuilt our music materials, messages, and power-point hymn-stories. We joined Hazelwood Baptist Church with Pastor Steve Rich and Paul became part-time song-leader while maintaining a “Sermon ’n’ Song” ministry. We were blessed with the prayers and encouragements of many friends. Paul gradually recovered from treatments and we began to travel once again even to a number of mission fields.
Covid came and everything changed again. While waiting for things to return to “normal”, Betty was confronted with her own medical challenges, requiring surgeries. Paul added a Euphonium to the other instruments used in the meetings.
Health matters became more priority and we decided to re-focus our responsibilities. That led us to join Victory Baptist Church in New Whiteland, Indiana with Pastor Mark Felber. We are now having “the best of both worlds” through “Sermon ’n’ Song” to other churches and by serving with others in our church’s Christ-honoring music ministry. Over the past months, Paul has enjoyed “filling the pulpit” in a number of churches and meetings.
We are thankful for the memories of 25 years of opportunities to serve the Lord. We are finding ways to creatively serve in new ways as well. “Thank You!” to all the pastors who have used us through the years, our faithful board members, and so many friends who have prayed for us. We are grateful for your example of dedication on our behalf as we serve Christ, Whose salvation and praise we sing. We look forward to see what the Lord has next for us. Our labor is not in vain in the Lord.
I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever:
with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness
to all generations.
Psalm 89:1
~ Paul & Betty Hiscock
