Being in the Salvation Army I get the oppurtunity to listen to the New York Staff Band quite frequently. This weekend was one of those times. :]
The New York Staff Band came to Philadelphia for some workshops with the Pendel music groups including the Pendel Brass that I play cornet in. They also had a concert Sunday afternoon with the Principle Tuba player in the Philadelphia Orchestra, Carol Jantsch (An amazing concert, and an amazing tubist, btw!).
But it was during Sunday morning worship at the Salvation Army Kroc Center in Philadelphia, during the New York Staff Band's Selection "Fire in the Blood," composed by Paul Lovatt-Cooper that it hit me. We are all like one giant brass band. Each serving our own pupose to contribute to the greater part that is the song. Our composer is God, our conductor is God, our teacher is God, all our music is for God. Whether we're the soloist or the second horn player in the back playing the same note for the whole song.
This was the most amazing performance of "Fire in the Blood" that I have ever seen. In the middle of the song the power went out for the entire building. The stage and the Chapel went completely dark, you couldn't see a thing. That is, you couldn't see a thing except for the one light shineing from one of the tuba players battery powered stand light. all the way in the back row. You couldn't help but stay focused on that light, being the only thing you could see. The band did an amazing thing though, they kept playing. In the pitch black the music kept going. Without missing a single note in a pretty intricate part of the music, the glorious sound of the Brass Band shown through like that one little light in the back of the band, without even being able to see the conductor or the music in front of them.
I want to be that light.
I want to shine through in the darkness that can be found all over the world, particularly in the 11 countries I will be going to starting in January. But like that little stand light something has to give me the power to keep shining.
I need you as part of the band we are all in to help support me financially to make this all possible. I believe God, our conductor has written it in the musical score for some of you to help support me in this way. To be the kindling to keep my flames going. I want the people in those 11 countries to not be able to help but watch and focus on my squad and I preach and teach the word of God as we shine brightly thanks to the power given by you.
I am still in great need, especially this week. My first deadline is by the end of the week and I am $1,253 short of my $3,500 needed to actually go on this missions trip. I'd be able to reach this goal if only 25 of you gave $50 each! Or if only 13 of you donated $100! That shouldn't be hard at all! The best way to support me with the deadline and speed being of the essence here is by clicking the "Support Me!" link on the left hand side of the blog (and sharing it with all your friends!).
One thing in the sunday sermon that was made clear was all our true power comes from God. I know with his help and his calling on you to help support me this will all be made possible with no problems at all.
By the end of the concert sunday afternoon the power had fully come back on and we no longer needed to rely on the little light provided by emergency generators. The band was able to stand and play with confidence playing towards the audience praising the name of Jesus. Once I am fully funded I will be able to stand with just as much confidence proclaiming the word of God all over the world.
Enjoy this video of the New York Staff Band playing "Fire in the Blood" at their 125 aniversary in Carnegie Hall.
