In a couple weeks, the wider church will celebrate the rather pivotal ministry of Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frederick Handel, two of the most influential figures of the music we still sing today in the Lutheran church and beyond. So, on the weekend of July 26 and 27, we will sing a few of the hymns that were shaped by the two German artistic geniuses, to be sure, but we will also take time to be mindful of the pianists, organists, choir directors, singers, guitarists, drummers, and other instrumentalists, who found a way to captivate our soul, leading us to hum a tune into the parking lot, on the drive home, and for God only knows how many days after. In their own rather pivotal ministry, they found a way to make the Gospel stick with us beyond an hour for the weekend.
It is safe to say that Divinity is certainly spoiled on the music front with Marlene, Steve, Justin, Tricia, Rick, Chad, Dave, and Don, among others, who have wonderfully reached into the depths of our hearts with comfort and hope and a nudge to do our own pivotal ministry for those around us and beyond. It is also safe to say that not many are waiting in the church building wings to be next in line for the piano or organ or choir directing or soloing or guitaring or drumming or any other instrumenting in front of a church community. Such a reality makes us cling ever so tightly to the ones we have now, with all their gifts and talents that they humbly share so that God’s love and empowerment may beautifully reel us in over and over again.
And yet, I wonder how many people worried about the same future when Bach and Handel drew their respective musical movement to a close. How many kept themselves up at night thinking how the church could possibly survive without them? Granted, plenty more were eagerly waiting in the religious wings then to continue composing and playing and singing. But in the centuries since, children of God have certainly had their moments of, “What’s next?” “What’s going to happen to us?” “How are we going to survive?” More often than not, somehow someway, enough of a nudge from another musician moved someone to appear to keep whatever form of music going. Some would say that we just need to keep on praying, keep on believing, and yes, regardless of how it happens, keep on singing.
However, we know that this God is not only the one of comfort and hope in allowing us to sit back and allow whoever else to take care of it, but the God of the nudging empowerment to take some form of intentional action to impact others near and far away, including empowering others to dig into the depths of their soul to search for what captivates them. One way the church has attempted to keep on finding ways to ensure someone is not only next for the music realm, but can actually impact faith communities now, is Lutheran Summer Music (LSM). For a brief background:
Lutheran Music Program was founded in 1981 to celebrate and extend the rich musical heritage of the Lutheran church. Our founders believed that by providing high-quality training and performance opportunities to young musicians they could cultivate a lifelong love of classical and sacred music, thus preserving these art forms for generations to come…Each summer since then students, faculty, staff, and conductors have gathered in intentional community to make and perform music and celebrate the Lutheran faith tradition…
Since our founding, we have expanded our programming to reach musicians and music appreciators of all ages and faith traditions, but our work remains rooted in Lutheran music, worship, and liturgical traditions.
It may not ensure that we will have an endless rotation of Marlenes and Steves and Justins and Tricias and Ricks and Chads and Daves and Dons, but it serves as another ray of hope for the church, another beacon of assurance that somehow, someway, music will still find a way to captivate our soul. Another Gospel reminder that no matter what lies ahead, God will always find a way to reel us in with a love that has already saved us, a love that still comforts us, and a love that is so enthralling, we cannot help but join in the movement, musically or otherwise, for the sake of this world that God still so loves. Amen (so let it be)!
In Christ,
Pastor Brad
For a sung rendition of Martin Luther’s Morning Prayer from the Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) students, please click the link below:
Luther’s Morning Prayer - YouTube
For more information about LSM, including other video recordings of concerts and other performances, please visit:
www.lsmacademy.org