The Organist's Blog

Organ Music for Sunday, September 10, 2023 This Sunday’s organ selections have an element in common – they are all in the key of G major! The prelude is a personal favorite of mine, the beautiful “Song of Peace” by the twentieth-century French composer Jean Langlais...

Our church has been truly blessed with an amazing gift. For the past two weeks, we have been able to enjoy our new Steinway piano during worship. I have to say that I feel like the luckiest participant in the enjoyment of this new gift. I have always loved the fact...

I love Epiphany because it gives me an excuse to leave my Christmas decorations up for two extra weeks and keep playing Christmas music in my car, at home, and at church! This year, I especially like it because I have an arrangement of “We Three Kings of Orient Are”...

Over the summer and fall, I have been working on my biggest composition project to date, and I am so excited to tell you about it in this week’s post. Let me take you back to the project’s conception. During my first Advent season at First Baptist (2017), Jim preached...

In my opinion, Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year! There is just a feeling of cheer in the air that is unique to the season. I love that there are lights and decorations everywhere. I love the special drinks at Starbucks, but my favorite thing is...

Christ the King Sunday is one of my favorite Sundays of the year. I am sure that most of you have picked up on the fact that I love big, bombastic, shake-the-room organ music, and this is one of the Sundays where that really fits. It is a wonderful celebration of...

I absolutely love this time of year! There is so much fun and excitement in the air. It all begins with Halloween for me. Many of you may already know how much I enjoy Halloween. I always try to outdo my costume from the year before; and forgive me for bragging, but I...

This Sunday is a special day in the life of the church. We remember and celebrate those who have finished their work here on earth and are enjoying eternity with their creator. Last year, my dear friend and fellow FBG member Danette Patterson came to me with an idea...

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16) Many of you already know that I grew up...

Yesterday, we celebrated World Communion Sunday - such a wonderful picture of the inclusivity of God. All people from every race and creed are welcome at God's table. This week, we continue that theme by honoring the chlidren and those who seek to help them recognize...

Living in a world that is rife with hatred, bigotry and many other divisive forces, I am constantly reminded of how fortunate I am to be just a small part of the great work of God’s kingdom. Growing up, I always thought this kingdom was like an exclusive club: only...

The Gospel Lesson for this Sunday comes from Mark 9. In this passage, Jesus encourages his listeners to be wary of becoming a stumbling block to those who believe in him and the work he was sent to do. Looking at this admonition from the other angle, we should be the...

This week’s Gospel lesson contains the story of the prodigal son, making it rather ironic that I chose this week to begin writing my blog again. If you had been regularly reading this blog, you probably already know the circumstances that led to the nearly year-long...

Psalm 23 is a psalm that most of us can quote by heart, but how often do we really meditate on the precious promises held within its words? I shall not want. God will always lead me. God will restore me. God will never leave me. On and on the promises go. This week we...

It’s easy to wish evil upon those who have hurt or harmed us. How many times have you heard or uttered the phrase sweet revenge? It seems only natural to give back what we think people deserve, but I would venture to say that most of us know from experience how...