“Come, we that love the Lord, and let our joys be known” (hymn 422). 

And what better time than Thanksgiving to “Come, Ye Thankful People” (hymn 557), celebrating the harvest and remembering the One who provides for our needs? 

“For the Fruits of His Creation” (hymn 558), we give thanks. For the blessings we have received, we declare, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” (hymn 100). 

Even when life brings disappointment or sorrow, we can take comfort in knowing “God Will Take Care of You” (hymn 99). His faithfulness gives us reason to sing “Now Thank We All Our God” (hymn 559). 

And before the Thanksgiving leftovers disappear, another familiar melody fills the air, “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” (hymn 122), announcing the arrival of the Savior. “Joy to the World” (hymn 125)! The long-awaited Messiah has come. 

Of course, these beloved hymns would sound quite different without the church pianists who faithfully accompany our worship. Long before the congregation arrives, many are at the piano, practicing familiar melodies and preparing to lead us in song. Week after week, they bring hymns to life, helping us find comfort in times of sorrow and giving voice to our joy and praise. In this issue of the Herald, we celebrate their ministry. When we invited you to submit names of church pianists to be featured, we received an outpouring of responses. We did our best to include as many as possible. 

During this season of Thanksgiving and rejoicing, we are especially grateful for our musicians’ faithful service. May the hymns they play and of which we sing become the lives we live, offering a daily chorus of thanksgiving and praise to our great God. 

God rises to shouts of acclamation, 
Yahweh rises to a blast of trumpets, 
Let the music sound for our God, let it sound, 
let the music sound for our King, let it sound! 
God is king of the whole world; 
play your best in his honor! (Psalm 47:5-7 JB) 

Let the church say, Amen! 

Debbie Michel serves as Lake Union Conference Communication director and Lake Union Herald editor.