Putting Faith Into Action

Manuscript for J.S. Bach's St. Matthew Passion

Dear friends, do you think you'll get anywhere in this if

you learn all the right words but never do anything?  Does

merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? 

James 2:14

Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach, Germany in 1685 as the eighth child in a large Lutheran family.  His father was a court trumpeter and the director of the town musicians.  He taught his young son violin and harpsichord, while an uncle introduced him to the organ.  When he was nine years old, his mother died, and his father passed away 8 months later when he was ten.  He moved into the home of his older brother Johann Christoph, who taught him the clavichord and nurtured his musical education.  Eventually Johann Sebastian went into the family "business" - being the organist for a Lutheran church.  Bach was known and acknowledged as a devout Christian - one who lived within the social and religious boundaries of his time.  His gorgeous musical creations are deeply rooted in the faith of the old Lutheran Church - a vital combination of his Protestant belief and his outstanding musical talent.

I have for years worked as the music director/organist of various Christian churches, enabling me to combine my faith relationship with God and my God-given musical gifts.  I do not have Bach's genius in composing music, but I do have the ability to interpret what he and other composers have written.  It is a source of great joy for me to prepare my groups to share their musical offerings with the congregation each week.  The children, youth and adults with whom I work have the opportunity to bring their musical offerings before God - giving back a small portion of what we have been given.

Anything in life that is stagnant eventually spoils.  Faith is no exception.  Combine your faith with your talents and gifts, and give to the Lord today.