THE CHURCH PIANIST

I’ve played the piano and organ in churches for the last 50 years. I began playing piano at my church when I was about 15 and have continued doing so ever since. Every Sunday, I have found great joy behind the keys at my church. I spend hours pouring over music for Sunday’s service. Each week is a wonderful challenge in finding just the right songs to encourage and inspire the congregation.

In college, I discovered an even deeper love for music when I was introduced to the organ. I decided to study music and spent almost every waking moment between those two instruments, learning new arrangements for old hymns. I would then try them out on a local congregation I played for throughout college. It was a wonderful time.

Since then, each Sunday finds me behind an instrument at two different churches in my community. Because both churches are very small, there just isn’t anyone in the congregation who can play any music. Thankfully, the two services have times different enough to allow me to attend both churches.

I have served the congregations of these two churches for over 30 years and have loved every minute. Each week when my fingers hit the keys, I look up to see the faces in the audience as their voices belt out praise to God. It truly is a privilege to be used by God to praise His name each week. My prayer is that someone younger will be inspired by the music and begin her own journey in church music, giving God all the glory through the expressions of her talent.