Gravity and Gladness in Congregational Worship

I've mentioned before that I'm taking a Practical Theology course at The Bethlehem Institute (seminary-level training vehicle of Bethlehem Baptist Church).

I just completed my most recent assignment, which included attending Pastor John Piper's five-hour seminar on the topic Gravity and Gladness on Sunday Mornings: The Pursuit of God in Corporate Worship , as well as reading Chapters 1 and 7 in Let the Nations Be Glad! 2d ed.and Chapter 3 in Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist. We were then required to write a paper of about 1,000 words arguing for our position on the use of hymns and/or contemporary worship songs and any other styles of congregational singing in worship. We were told to "pose clearly the question you are trying to answer, and then use Scripture where you can to explain and support your answer. Assume any kind of church setting you wish. Try to make this as realistic and helpful to your own future as you can."

I found it quite challenging to write a brief paper on the complex topic of music in worship. I was greatly helped by reading, in addition to Pastor John's lecture notes and the titles mentioned above, a book by Harold Best, Dean Emeritus at the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, entitled Music Through the Eyes of Faith. I would gladly welcome any feedback on my best effort.