I remember the first time I heard a pipe organ in person. I was 13 and attended an organ concert at the First Christian Church in downtown Eugene, Oregon. I remember walking into the impressive Corinthian-style building with enormous Tiffany stained-glass windows...
Wilshire Sings: Music helps form and reform faith
Today is Reformation Sunday, the day we remember the brave leadership of a Catholic monk who sparked a religious movement known as the Reformation in the year 1517. That monk, Martin Luther, was an accomplished musician as well as a theologian. As the Reformation...
Preparing for Worship
Preparing for Worship - Jeff Brummel. We followers of Jesus sing. Singing together, whether in a choir or as a congregation, is a unique activity steeped in tradition throughout history and across many cultures. We have lovely choirs that adorn our worship service....
Preparing for Worship
Preparing for Worship - Jeff Brummel, associate minister of music. The July 17 prelude was composed during my first summer at Wilshire in 2006. The piece uses the older musical form known as the North German Präludium, sometimes known as the organ Fantasia style....
Preparing for Worship
Preparing for Worship - Jeff Brummel. When I was 16 years old, I decided it was time to be baptized. I had already been serving Trinity Baptist in Springfield, Oregon, as pianist for about a year, and felt the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit to make public my...
Preparing for Worship
Preparing for Worship - Jeff Brummel, associate minister of music. My major in college was music education, which qualifies me to teach K-12 music in public schools. Perhaps the most discussed topic in those densely filled years was nurture. To be honest, this...
Preparing for Worship
Preparing for Worship - Jeff Brummel, associate minister of music/organist Sunday, May 23, is the celebration of something new — something so extraordinary yet so pivotal to the life of the church. It’s Pentecost Sunday! The day that the breath of God, through the...
Preparing for Worship
Preparing for Worship - Jeff Brummel, associate minister of music & organist Sunday morning’s hymn, “The God of Abraham Praise,” provides a musical connection between Christians and our Jewish sisters and brothers which is both historical and spiritual. The roots...