Tribute
Lectionary Readings: Exodus 33:12-23; Psalm 99; Matthew 22: 15-22; 1 Thessalonians 1: 1-10.
Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night, you’re in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith; your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father. 1 Thessalonians 1: 2-3 (The Message)
This devotion is not a typical one for me, but I hope you will indulge me and read it anyway. In the passage highlighted above, Paul, Silas and Timothy were writing to the church in Thessalonica and were praising their faithfulness and their acts of love and patience in following Christ. The whole passage speaks to the faithful servants living in this city, just like my friend, Al. I have been preoccupied with my memories of JMUMC’s past Minister of Music, Albert J. Zabel, III, since learning of his death last week. He was a talented organist and a prolific composer/arranger of sacred music for the organ, hand-bells, other instruments and choral works for adults, teens and children. I didn’t know that he had even written a book on how to move from employing piano skills to playing the organ (Practically Perfect Pedaling).
As talented and gifted as he was, the qualities I most admired were his perseverance in serving God by using those talents and his steadfast faith in God. He was a very humble person who did not seek the limelight. He never called attention to the works that we performed that were his creations or arrangements. Someone in the choir (Handbell or Sanctuary) would notice his name, sometimes only after we had practiced the work several times, but he never made that announcement. His individual performances on the organ were primarily preludes/postludes and the occasional concert which was usually in coordination with other performers. He willingly accompanied a host of choirs and singers throughout his life, always focusing on the performer and the music, and not himself. He was dedicated to the rich tapestry of music that honored and glorified God.
I got to know Al “up close and personal” on the Summer Players Youth Tours between 1984 and 1991. The first musical drama that I toured with was the newly written “Uniquely Yours”, a collaboration between Al and Trilby Jordan. It was full of humor and real life about how teens can remain close to God and still express their unique qualities and gifts. His musical score included a violin, flute, clarinet, French horn and hand bells, as well as some “special effects”. The musical drama was so appropriate for the youth in our group, but Al’s talent seemed so effortless, we didn’t realize the depth of his gifts.
The message from this drama to all of us, was that God uses us as we are. We don’t need to be anything other than who we already are. We are enough! God calls each of us and asks us to be faithful in following His guidance and to put His plan into action. We all have a history of struggles and heartache; joys and mountain-top experiences also. But, we are never alone. God is With Us throughout every struggle and rejoices with us in every joy. God blessed our congregation and community with the talents of Al Zabel and we are all better for it. He created, taught, served and cared for all those around him. He inspired us through his music and through his entire life. He was faithful to God’s plan for him and did not seek adulation for his efforts. May we all go and do likewise with the gifts God gives us. God asks us to spread the gospel, to sow the seeds…and He will take care of the rest. Al was faithful to God’s direction in willingly sharing his God-given gifts with students, choirs, congregations and even those who have purchased his music who do not even know him.
Dear Almighty and Wonderful God: We thank you for the life and service of Al Zabel. We know that his gifts came from you and he was faithful to use them to glorify your name. Thank you for all that you have taught us through our association with him. You bless us every day with angels and saints who appear in our lives as ordinary people, but have been sent by you to show us more clearly how we should live and care for one another. We thank you for this glimpse of the eternal through the extraordinary life and music of Al Zabel. AMEN
Chyrl Budd
Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night, you’re in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith; your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father. 1 Thessalonians 1: 2-3 (The Message)
This devotion is not a typical one for me, but I hope you will indulge me and read it anyway. In the passage highlighted above, Paul, Silas and Timothy were writing to the church in Thessalonica and were praising their faithfulness and their acts of love and patience in following Christ. The whole passage speaks to the faithful servants living in this city, just like my friend, Al. I have been preoccupied with my memories of JMUMC’s past Minister of Music, Albert J. Zabel, III, since learning of his death last week. He was a talented organist and a prolific composer/arranger of sacred music for the organ, hand-bells, other instruments and choral works for adults, teens and children. I didn’t know that he had even written a book on how to move from employing piano skills to playing the organ (Practically Perfect Pedaling).
As talented and gifted as he was, the qualities I most admired were his perseverance in serving God by using those talents and his steadfast faith in God. He was a very humble person who did not seek the limelight. He never called attention to the works that we performed that were his creations or arrangements. Someone in the choir (Handbell or Sanctuary) would notice his name, sometimes only after we had practiced the work several times, but he never made that announcement. His individual performances on the organ were primarily preludes/postludes and the occasional concert which was usually in coordination with other performers. He willingly accompanied a host of choirs and singers throughout his life, always focusing on the performer and the music, and not himself. He was dedicated to the rich tapestry of music that honored and glorified God.
I got to know Al “up close and personal” on the Summer Players Youth Tours between 1984 and 1991. The first musical drama that I toured with was the newly written “Uniquely Yours”, a collaboration between Al and Trilby Jordan. It was full of humor and real life about how teens can remain close to God and still express their unique qualities and gifts. His musical score included a violin, flute, clarinet, French horn and hand bells, as well as some “special effects”. The musical drama was so appropriate for the youth in our group, but Al’s talent seemed so effortless, we didn’t realize the depth of his gifts.
The message from this drama to all of us, was that God uses us as we are. We don’t need to be anything other than who we already are. We are enough! God calls each of us and asks us to be faithful in following His guidance and to put His plan into action. We all have a history of struggles and heartache; joys and mountain-top experiences also. But, we are never alone. God is With Us throughout every struggle and rejoices with us in every joy. God blessed our congregation and community with the talents of Al Zabel and we are all better for it. He created, taught, served and cared for all those around him. He inspired us through his music and through his entire life. He was faithful to God’s plan for him and did not seek adulation for his efforts. May we all go and do likewise with the gifts God gives us. God asks us to spread the gospel, to sow the seeds…and He will take care of the rest. Al was faithful to God’s direction in willingly sharing his God-given gifts with students, choirs, congregations and even those who have purchased his music who do not even know him.
Dear Almighty and Wonderful God: We thank you for the life and service of Al Zabel. We know that his gifts came from you and he was faithful to use them to glorify your name. Thank you for all that you have taught us through our association with him. You bless us every day with angels and saints who appear in our lives as ordinary people, but have been sent by you to show us more clearly how we should live and care for one another. We thank you for this glimpse of the eternal through the extraordinary life and music of Al Zabel. AMEN
Chyrl Budd
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