Lenten Hymn and Devotion, Week 1

Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding trumpet. Praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Psalm 150:1-6

On 3 August, we officially welcomed Brian Stevenson as our new Director of Music. Brian is a native of New York and graduated from Shepherd University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance as a woodwind instrumentalist. After graduation, he taught woodwinds at Shepherd University for two years; and later graduated from Gettysburg Seminary with a Masters in Ministerial Studies with a concentration in Christian Education and Music. Brian received certification as a Stephen Leader and completed his Clinical Pastoral Education at Asbury United Methodist Village, in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Since 1993, Brian has served in six congregations throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area as Directors of Music and Youth – working with children, teen, and adult choral, chime, handbell, orchestral choirs and ensembles. His musical gifts include performing on the bassoon, clarinet, flute, guitar, harp, and mandolin. In 2006, Brian received certification as a Hospital Certified Harp Therapy Practitioner.

In short, Brian has over 25 years of progressive experience in the music field specifically in the church worship and music. He has served as a praise team musician and worship leader. His spouse, Tarja, is an ordained minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. Please extend a hearty and warm Welcome Aboard to Brian and Tarja.