July 28 Devotion

[Pastor Joelle]

Johann Sebastian Bach, died July 28, 1750

Johann Sebastian Bach widely regarded as the greatest of all composers
of music for Christian worship and has even been called “the fifth
Evangelist” because of his contribution to the music treasury of the
church. He was born March 21, 1685 in Germany, into a family of
distinguished musicians. From an early age he learned to play the
violin and organ and later served as a choir boy.

Bach was a very religious man who felt his calling was to serve God
through his composing and playing of music. Using traditional German
hymn tunes, he wrote nearly 200 cantatas with settings to be sung both
by the choir and congregation for each Sunday and Holy Day of the
church year.

Bach’s St Matthew Passion, which was first performed in St. Thomas
Church on Good Friday 1729, which is performed to this day around the
world during Holy Week.

Bach’s first wife died in 1720 and he married again and had 20
children between the two wives, only nine of whom survived, four
became noteworthy musicians. Bach died on July 28, 1750.

On this day we also commemorate other church musicians, Henrich
Schutz, 1672, and George Frederick Handel (known for composing the
Messiah)

God of glory, whose praise by saints and angels in heaven is
unceasing, you have given to your servants Johann Sebastian Bach,
George Frederick Handel, and Heinrich Schuetz abundant gifts to
proclaim your glory. Be with all your servants who write and make
music for your people, that with joy we on earth may glimpse your
beauty, and at length may know the inexhaustible richness of your new
creation in Jesus Christ our Lord.