BROOMALL - Almost every would-be rock-and-roll guitarist knows the haunting opening chords of "The House of the Rising Sun."

And every church organist knows how to play and pedal with gusto the soul-stirring hymn "Amazing Grace."

The two tunes of repentant sinners - the words of "Amazing Grace" and the melody of "The House of the Rising Sun" - are combined into a powerful contemporary song of worship performed by 1st Light Team, a Christian rock and country band.

Bob Beach, the band's musical director, said he heard the mix at the Philadelphia Folk Festival and shared it with the group.

"I knew it was right to me because of my faith journey - having a strong lack of faith for years and then having my faith come back to me," Beach said. "When you play the opening chords and people hear the words, they perk up. It just fits."

Formed about three years ago as First Light, then changed to 1st Light Team, the worship band is scheduled to play at 10 a.m. today and the third Sunday of each month at the First Presbyterian Church in Lansdowne.

The group recently performed at Summer Family Night sponsored by the Marple Newtown Cooperative Ministries. The Rev. Paul Masters, pastor of Marple Presbyterian Church, called 1st Light Team "very cross-generational. When you can get the kids and the older people to share a good time, that is a great deal."

Beach, 54, plays flute, harmonica, tambourine and alto sax, and he sings. He and two fellow Lansdowne residents - Jim Olshefsky, 40, who plays guitar, and wife Molly, 41, a singer - formed 1st Light to present a new style of religious music as a complement and alternative to traditional hymns with organ accompaniment.

They recruited other musically talented congregation members, including Jim Klingler, who plays guitar and sings, and his son Jamie, who joins the group occasionally on guitar; both are Lansdowne residents. Ellen Grill of Upper Darby and Sheryl Taylor Bailey of Yeadon are 1st Light singers.

Scott Orthey of Drexel Hill, a member of Springton Lake Presbyterian Church in Upper Providence, is a drummer for the band. Bob O'Neill of Turnersville, N.J., is the bass guitarist. John Strain, of Marple and a member of Marple Presbyterian Church, is another drummer for the group. Band members rehearse once a week, and their selections range from "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" to "Let It Rise." They perform the work of many contemporary Christian artists, including Jennifer Knapp, a favorite of Jim Klingler's.

"I have socks older than she is, and still she slays me with her music," he said. "Spiritually, she reaches a lot of us in the band."

At the Marple gathering, the group opened with the a cappella sound of "Down to the River to Pray." Then with a master's tap of the high-hat and wave of the Mark Tree, Orthey eased the group smoothly from one song to another, switching from slow and sorrowful to a fast-paced dance tempo.

Molly Olshefsky, who said her joy in singing is the message, opened for the group on "Call on Jesus." Her solo voice softly filled the room with the lyrics, including "But when you call on Jesus, all things are possible."

Beach's alto sax solo on "I Walk by Faith" and the rousing voices of Jim Olshefsky and Jim Klingler had the audience clapping along to the steady backbone low tones provided by O'Neill.

Grill's solo on "Hungry" held the audience's attention, and the appreciation grew as Taylor Bailey and Molly Olshefsky joined in a harmony that the three women showcased in several songs.

A former professional rock singer and church choir member, Grill said the contemporary selection played by 1st Light brought her back to the stage.

"It was a calling, a way to use my voice for God," Grill said.

Jason Noll, audience member, organist and director of music at Marple Presbyterian Church, gave a professional nod to 1st Light.

"It's different, and it's good," said Noll, 27, of Broomall. "People need different styles of religious music."

Said Frank Gorges, 80, of Rosemont: "I think people like this music more than traditional music because this style of music is very upbeat. Church should be a joyous occasion. This group makes it so."