In case you haven’t realized it yet, Divinity includes a magician in our midst. Maybe it isn’t the prototypical one seen at parties, for those that still include such things, but still one who pulls off what seems impossible to basic logic or standard human capability. Sometimes such mastery can be easily taken for granted if it’s witnessed first-hand enough, especially from a (somewhat) comfort of a pew or from even more comfiness at home through a streaming screen. But this…should not ever be taken for granted.
I’m sure I still cannot come close to the full level of appreciation of it, but I just remember starting in my home congregation’s junior handbell choir, eventually moving up to the “adult” one. I remember starting with two bells then adding in a sharp and a flat (similar to the black keys on a piano). I did my best to actually follow the director to stay in rhythm with the rest of the group, tried to do the recommended circular motion-ringing that she taught me from the beginning. I remember thinking how big of a deal it was when she thought I could handle two bells in one hand at a time, and having to remember needing to switch directions if they shouldn’t ring at the same time. But still, I would always need the director and the papers of music to ensure I not lose my place and cause an embarrassing trainwreck that would drastically impact the tune that is meant to be spiritually nourishing to those in the pews.
And then, there’s Steven Czapor. If you didn’t have a chance to witness his latest masterpiece this last Sunday, July 5, it appears that 17 handbells are in front of him with one glaring thing missing: no music stand. And yet, a mesmerizing performance ensues without a hitch, without a pause, seemingly without any effort. And the fascination doesn’t stop with the seamless movement between the nearly 20 bells spread across a table, sometimes playing multiples of them in one hand, but that the music itself can still be just as soul-catching.
There’s the text to the third verse of “Be Still, My Soul” that our beloved Steven (and wonderfully accompanied by our cherished Marlene as well) so majestically brought to life without the words being spoken:
Be still, my soul: when dearest friends [or any other part of life] depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know [God’s] love, [God’s] heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.
Sometimes we hear such Gospel words spoken over and over again in various ways that it can be easily taken for granted. Sometimes it takes a masterpiece to be fully mesmerized by the transcending power of God, and the love and grace and hope that are still being orchestrated in the depths of our soul and throughout the universe. Sometimes it takes the beyond-logic talent to point us to the mind-boggling power that does not reside in the heavens alone, but somehow, someway in our very midst. Sometimes we take it all for granted, but Jesus insists we not.
Thank you, Steven, for doing your part in bringing the captivating God to further life!
In Christ,
Pastor Brad
To view the piece, you may do so through our Facebook page:
“Be Still, My Soul” (Steven Czapor/Marlene Dray) Facebook Reel
Or through our website’s live-streaming page, at the 44-minute mark of the July 5 worship recording:
www.divinitylutheran.com/resources/live
A reminder that Steven will be taking part taking part in the Handbell Musicians of America National Seminar in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 14-18, including being part of the All-Star Choir! We encourage you to tune in live to view the All-Star Choir concert on Saturday, July 18 (2-4pm), through their YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@HandbellMusicians/streams.