Tag: violin

No Ordinary Sunday

“When we left our home in the Ukraine. Nickolay and Yakov’s instruments were confiscated and we were not allowed to let instruments made in our homeland make their way to America with us”.

There are some First Days of the week that stand out as no ordinary Sunday.  Such a Sunday morning seems to find a special spot in our memories and warm our hearts as no earthly fire can.  Each person who enters the church sanctuary has a personal need, realized or unrealized.  Some come for fellowship, some for a specific prayer need; others are facing a job lay-off or a crumbling marriage, but all desiring to be refreshed by laying their burden or brokenness before the Lord in worship.

Through the doors of the sanctuary on this remarkable morning came a reserved and timid looking young family, meticulously dressed, wearing smiles that were both telegraphing awe and fear at the same time.  As I approached the family their eyes caught mine and I said, “Good morning, welcome to Arvada Christian Church, my name is Paul.”   The mother and father glanced at each other then the husband looked at me and said in a heavy accent, “Good morning, my name is Yuri”.  I could see that he was desperately struggling to speak in English. Yuri then introduced his wife and children.  As I helped them find a seat they graciously received the worship bulletin.  Turning to greet others, I overheard the hushed tones of the visiting family talking among themselves in Russian.  Their words expressed a sense of excitement that transcended any communication barrier.   It was as though a dream from years ago was now in these moments bringing a joy of reality to their hearts. There was no one in our congregation that could speak Russian.  My thoughts raced. “How could I communicate to Yuri’s family?”

On the wall in my church office I had hung an autographed picture of a Three Star Russian General. The officer had become a Christian and was now fulfilling his vow to God.  His testimony and heart felt challenge as he spoke moved people to answer the call to personally place the Word of God throughout the Russian Military. The General had served as the highest ranking officer in the Russian Army assigned to Afghanistan War.  His helicopter was shut down and as it was approaching the ground he cried out, “God ,if you are real, help me to survive this crash! I will serve you with all my life!”  He survived his life threatening wounds and never forgot his promise to God.  He had come to America on several occasions to speak to Churches and raise funds asking Christians to assist by providing funding to purchase Bibles.

It was not just the autographed picture of the General that I was retrieving from my office.  There was a long letter written by the General that covered the entire back of the photo.  Hand written in Russian and addressed to me personally he thanked me for preaching the Gospel and encouraging me to be strong in my continued service in the Lord’s Army.  It was indeed a treasured gift.  The General had served on Yeltzin’s personal staff in Moscow. He had also given me an epilate from his uniform which I had attached to the frame of the picture.  I will never forget when he handed me one 3 star insignia on a shoulder epilate and said in his strong Russian accent, “Paul, I can only give one of these to you.  If I give to you two, you must serve in the Russian Army for three years.”

Immediately, before the worship prelude had even begun, I removed the picture and 3 Star epilate from the office wall and took it to Yuri.  He showed it to his wife and then to each of his children.  It was the only way that we could communicate that day.

They closely observed every aspect of the worship service and participated when they could.  As I preached they were attentive and sat on the edge of their pew.  I wondered what it must be like to attend church and not understand the words being spoken. They all participated in the Lord’s Supper as the emblems were passed.   After the service Yuri communicated by hugging me as a tear rolled from his eye down his cheek.  He handed me the General’s picture, I pushed it back to him.   I wanted him to have it.  His wife gave me a small piece of paper with an address on it. As I slipped it into my pocket Yuri smiled and took his family home.   When they left the foyer I silently prayed for them. I watched through the glass as Yuri’s family made their way back home walking, bounding with a happiness in their stride.

Early in the following week I searched for a Russian translator to assist me in making a call in Yuri’s home.  Through the help of a determined business man in the church, a translator was found and it was our privilege to visit Yuri, Liya, Nickolay, Yakov, Pavel, and Yelena in their new apartment located only a few blocks from the Church building.  Yuri again hugged me and invited us into his home.   It was a personal call that I will long remember.   Yuri had been in the United States for only three days before visiting the church.  His dream was to come to America and attend an American church.  He had been baptized in Russia and had been raised in a Christian home.  Together we talked about the Word of God.  We talked about our families and our children and our common desire to serve the Lord.

It was exciting to learn of the musical backgrounds of each of the children and Yuri’s wife.  They showed pictures of their worship service in the Ukraine with each of the children and Liya playing on the worship team.  “I see that your two oldest boys play the violin and viola.” “Yes, but not now”, Yuri responded sadly by saying, “When we left our home in the Ukraine. Nickolay and Yakov’s instruments were confiscated and we were not allowed to let instruments made in our homeland make their way to America with us”. I was speechless by his revelation followed by a deep heartache that could only be known by a father who knew how important a musical instrument can be in the life of a child.  Yuri’s words were a reminder of the spiritual music that flows from the soul of every follower of Christ.   The songs of wonder and awe at the works of God’s mighty hand are a very real part of our spiritual lives.

Our conversation continued and came to a close as we prayed for each other.  First I prayed as the translator interpreted.  Then Yuri prayed as the translator spoke in English.  I asked if Yuri’s family would like to sing next Sunday morning and they graciously accepted the invitation.  

The following Sunday, they came to the platform bringing their Russian hymnal asking my wife Janice, the church pianist, to accompany them.  Our cultural backgrounds and language barriers, however extensively separated, were wonderfully united in Christ.  Even the written music notation on the pages of the Russian hymnal unites our ability to accompany each other in the common expression of musical notation.  Now the language roles were reversed.   As the family began to sing, two hymns were translated in the minds of every person in attendance. Each knew the hymns as, “How Great Thou Art”, and “Amazing Grace.”  When the family finished the hymns, the resounding, “Amen” expressed a heartfelt appreciation for what had just happened within the walls of this urban American church. 

In the weeks that followed, I began an extensive search for a violin and viola for Nickolay and Yakov.   Through the benefit of an anonymous gift, two new instruments were secured and made ready for presentation to Yuri’s family.   Accompanied by the translator, and the leadership of the church we made our way to the apartment complex.  As we knocked on the door, our hearts leaped for joy in the knowledge that God had provided two beautiful stringed instruments for this family.  As the door opened we all were graciously welcomed into their home.  I explained that it was a privilege to give these instruments to your children on behalf of a grateful congregation.  Tears again began to flow as the cases were opened and the children were summoned.  The smiles and emotion that filled their living room gave praise to our faithful Heavenly Father who had brought them to America. With thankful hearts they erupted into Praise to Him and expressed since thanks for the genuine love expressed by fellow Christians that they had just met.

A few weeks later, for a second time, there was not a dry eye in the entire congregation as Nickolay and Yakov played their new instruments following the Lord’s Supper. Their little brother Pavel joined his brothers by playing the flute.  The beautiful music flowing from their hearts by the gentle touch of their fingers pressing the stings upon the ebony. Their uniform bowing technique upon the strings had brought the congregation together in true worship.  Our eyes were not upon ourselves we were listening in praise to God as the music echoed though out the wooden walls of the Sanctuary.

Yuri’s family never missed a service in the months that followed.  Their English skills improved and they continued to bless the church always with a smile and an exuberant joy.  They found brothers and sisters in Christ in a far away land where their dreams came true to eventually  become American Citizens. The transcending love of Christ for His churches is powerful to all peoples of the world

The challenge of expanding global missions at home and abroad is a task that must be accomplished through the commitment of God’s people.  The empty pews of American churches cry out to be filled as we reach out to the vast multitudes of ethnic diversity.  By encouraging compassion here at home, we will also regain the zeal and right perspective for a world view of missions.  The spiritual heritage of those who have blazed the trail of mission accomplishment in the past spur us on to a new dedication of the spiritual work that is before us.  United as one body of Christ we can meet the challenging goals that are seem almost impossible in the 21st century.  The Great Commission given by Jesus to His disciples is found in Matthew 28:16-20.  Fulfilling that commission does not always mean becoming a foreign missionary on the other side of the Globe.  It may mean that you must be a missionary to the one who comes through the doors of the local church who cannot speak your language, who has hopes of serving Christ with you, or may be saddened by the things they had to leave behind to make their dreams come true.  One Lord, One Faith, One baptism, and one God the Father. One dream to serve Christ wherever he leads and gives opportunity to reach a soul who is searching.

For God so loved the world that He gave us His only Son … John 3:16  

Paul Sisson

From Age to Age The Same

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.  Proverbs 22:6

When the phone rang it called to attention our thoughts amidst the daily routine of living life in the ministry.  As Janice answered the phone I could hear by the tone of her voice that it was a serious call.  Alice had passed away in Missouri.  Three weeks previous to her death she was still living alone in her apartment, caring for herself, and attending church every Sunday.  A small stroke had caused her to be hospitalized and not wanting to be a burden to her family, she informed her son, “I think it is time that I go to the nursing home”.  A few brief days later she entered heaven.

After making the necessary arrangements to attend Alice’s funeral, Janice and I left for Carterville, MO.  It felt good to see family when we arrived.  Friends had gathered in my brother-in-law’s home that I had not seen in many years.  There were new people to meet as I had never met Alice’s daughters before.  We had known Alice for many years and hosted her at our home many times.  She was Roger’s mother, the husband of Janice’s sister, Janine. 

I was proud to sit beside the family at Alice’s funeral.  Everyone listened intently and focused on heaven as Janice played the piano.  My mind briefly began to recall a cherished Christmas memory from long ago.   Jennifer was in grade school and we had gone to Janice’s sister’s home for the Holiday.  All the cousins were there in Norton, Kansas.  Verner and Alice were there too from Omaha, Nebraska.  In the afternoon family members gathered with Christmas joy still overflowing on their faces as they each found a seat in the large living room.  The Christmas tree was glowing and the tasty family dinner still filled the house with the seasoned aroma of Christmas.

Janice was playing Christmas music on the piano as little Jennifer accompanied on her violin.  Oh, how beautiful was the singing of the family choir that joined in song.  On top of the piano there was a violin that Verner had made himself years ago.  He was now unable to speak. A stroke had deprived him of his voice.  You could see on his face the joy of listening to the little girl play.  Verner got up slowly and carefully from his chair. His weakened legs seemed to be strengthened by a special determination in his feeble small steps as he approached the piano. The music stopped when he arrived at his destination.  The room was filled with wonder much like the quietness of fresh falling snow on the meadow. Verner reached for the violin that he had crafted by his own hands in younger days now long past.  He had been an outstanding professional chemist throughout his exemplary career. His craftsmanship in the wood shop showed that he was an accomplished Luthier.

The silence of the moment was broken.  It was like sitting in the grandest concert hall as the concert master entered and tuned each of his violin strings and thereby tuning the entire grand orchestra in anticipation of the entrance of the conductor. No word was spoken as everyone watched Verner extend his arms.  In one hand was his tuned violin and in the other hand was his bow.  He placed them both into Jennifer’s hands after she laid her own instrument down.  She raised the violin to her chin and began to play.  He stood there watching every move and listening to every note.  Tears flowed from his eyes and down his face as she played his violin for him on that Christmas afternoon.  A concert to be remembered deep within the hearts of those who were so moved by the melody of life witnessed by this gracious act.  A priceless moment of time never to be forgotten   A Christmas gift that was the celebration of life, the celebration of birth, and the celebration of family all blended together in praise to the faithful God who gave us His son, Jesus.   A blessing that extends to a 1,000 generations.

My thoughts turned back to the funeral service and the life of a gracious Christian woman.  As Alice’s obituary was read I listened intently and was personally challenged and humbled by her life experiences.  Alice was born in 1903, Teddy Roosevelt was President.  The American history, the experiences of life, and the cultural changes that had taken place in her lifetime were almost unbelievable.  She was alive before there was an Income Tax and before the Titanic sailed on it’s maiden voyage,  Her husband Verner, was a veteran of World War I.  She had raised 5 children, 3 daughters and 2 boys all of whom graduated from Bible College.  Alice and her husband had been instrumental in establishing the Irvington Christian Church in Omaha, NE.  Their lifelong commitment to Christ and His Church are still a living witness long remembered in the history of the Christian Church in Eastern Nebraska. 

As we drove home from Missouri reflecting on what we had just experienced my thoughts were drawn back to the days when I was a freshman attending Dakota Bible College.  Just before college started that year I drove to Iowa to attend the funeral of my fathers’ Great Great Uncle.  Mr. Schmidt died at the age of 105.  He was born only one year after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln in 1866.  He was a post master in a small Iowa town whose years of retirement were more than the years he worked.  Today there is still an oil portrait of Mr. Schmidt in the lobby of the Post Office building in Iowa where he served.  I recall as a small boy seeing him at family reunions.  My earliest recollection is seeing an old man seated in a lawn chair and being somewhat fearful when my father took me by the hand to introduce me.  He reached out his hand and firmly shook my hand, smiled, and said, “Hello Paul it is nice to see you”.   The American history, the experiences of life, the cultural changes that had taken place in his life were also unbelievable.  

Mr Schmidt was a member of the Christian Church.  His commitment to Christ saw his family carry the Gospel into the Dakota Territory and eventually lead to the establishment of the Christian Church in Sioux Falls, S. D.  He was an early pioneer of the faith whose dedication to the Word of God continues to carry an influence in South Dakota and in my personal life as a minister.           

One Hundred years from now what legacy will you have left behind?  The day to day living of life influences generations yet to be.  Someday a family member will be moved by your history, your experiences, and cultural changes that you faced.

The gem for our treasure box today is that we must lift up Christ in all three of these areas and have committed hearts than yearn to follow the Word of God all the days of our life.

Do you realize that America is so young?  Just think, going back another 100 years from the birth of Mr. Schmidt would place you 10 years before the American Revolution. 

Paul Sisson, Minister