By Bill Jernberg
On this day of worship at Wilshire, we gather with thanksgiving for the joyful opportunity to be side by side as the Holy Spirit, knowing our individual needs, speaks to us. We celebrate the opportunity for all to worship either by live-stream today or in days to come.
In our worship experience today, this excerpt from read Scripture in the order of worship allows us to focus on the importance of our relationships with each other: “We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Through our opportunities of worship in today’s music, both sung and played from the organ, the following phrases represent meaningful declarations of our Christian journeys: “Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise”; “Rejoice, give thanks and sing”; “Raise high your free, exulting song”; “Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee; How great Thou art!”; “Yes, I’ll sing the wondrous story … Sing it with the saints in glory.”
In each of our Sunday worship services, there are those among us who inspire us through words and music. On this day, we recognize Dr. Jeff Brummel, who for 20 years has served as our skilled organist and a minister among us. Jeff has offered a unique and much appreciated friendship to all ages. The previously highlighted phrases from today’s Scripture and music selections represent the Christian example that Jeff offered to all.
Many tributes to Jeff have been offered by those at Wilshire with whom he worked and from special friends: “A caring musician”; “His work is detailed, meticulous, careful and thoughtful”; “Imbued with virtuosity with his musical talents ranging from the majesty of Bach to ragtime”; “Consistently joyful, supportive, a true friend”; “Collaborator and a perfect partner for making music”; “Will miss his talent, his stories and his sense of humor. What a treasure”; “Valued friend and colleague”; “He ministers with steadfast, quiet confidence.”
As we worship this day, we praise God as we honor Jeff. We thank him for the countless hours that he has given each week as he prepared for worship. Jeff is a true blessing for our worship time together.