MUSIC AND WORSHIP
Franz Peter Schubert (1797-1828)
As we consider the spiritual lives of great composers, we come to Franz Peter Schubert whose short life is a study in incongruity. Known for many beautiful and joyful compositions, he encountered a doleful succession of disappointments, anguish and poverty. Born in Vienna to a penniless schoolmaster and his wife, Schubert never received a thorough musical education. His talents were so abundant, however, that in 1808, at age 11, he was accepted as a chorister in the court chapel. A few years later he began to compose. He persevered even when he was so poor he could not afford music paper; the only paper he owned for composing was given as a gift.

When his voice broke in 1813, Schubert (like Haydn 64 years earlier) was abruptly dismissed from the court chapel. Discouraged and disheartened, he worked for three joyless years in his father’s school. Then he embraced an unconventional, happy-go-lucky existence and stayed with it for the rest of his life. Fortunately, his cheerful disposition won him a great number of friends, some of whom formed a musical clique called the Schubertians. These were rich patrons who could solve his financial problems, but they did not encourage him to compose many of his greatest masterpieces.

Sadly, his music brought the composer almost no income whatsoever. In 1823, his remarkable song The Erl-King became very popular and finally secured him considerable earnings. But he carelessly sold the rights to this classic for the equivalent of a few hundred dollars. He sold a publisher twelve volumes of his songs for 800 florins. From just one of these, the Wanderer, the publisher profited over 36,000 florins.

Another time, Schubert completed two movements of a symphony and dropped the project and sent the manuscript away. One of his friends retrieved the score in 1865, and as a result Shubert’s Unfinished Symphony was finally premiered. It continues to be one of the most celebrated musical fragments in history.

Schubert’s short life of 31 years passed in relative obscurity and many of his thoughts remain unknown. Yet it is evident that his personal faith in God served to strengthen his spirits against oppressive hard times. Schubert’s baptismal certificate affirms his parents were believers in the Catholic religion and they appeared to be particularly devout.

Perhaps because he was never confined by a job to a specific church, his spiritual life was individualistic and personal as his musical gifts were unique and self-taught. Through the tribulations of his tragic life, it was the combination of two elements in his nature—his faith in God and his God-given talent which enabled him to create without applause or acclaim the many masterpieces we treasure today.
Dennis Bucher
NEW HOPE 101
The next opportunity to participate in the seminar introducing you to Baptists and to New Hope church will be Sunday, November 14, 5:00 PM. The seminar is led by Dr. Mulkey and is open to anyone interested in learning more about church membership.

As a follow-up, Discovering Your Ministry, will be offered Sunday, December 5 at 5:00 PM.

WHAT’S COOKING?
The Cookbook Committee reminds us that there are a few copies of Savor the Flavors of New Hope still available at $10 per copy. Treat yourself or give a copy to a friend or family member as a Christmas gift. See Wanda Buchanan.

LADIES, PLEASE NOTE
CHANGE IN LUNCH SCHEDULE
We will not have a Ladies Lunch during November due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The December lunch will be on the second Tuesday, December 14, with a small gift exchange (between $6-8). Restaurant location will be announced in the December issue of Connections and in the Sunday bulletins.
Linda Manners

HOLIDAY POTPOURRI
Plan now to make the CBF Global Missions Offering a part of your Christmas gift giving. This offering supports Baptist field personnel (missionaries) around the world. Global Missions envelopes will be in the chair pockets after Thanksgiving and a graphic adjacent to the bulletin board will show our progress in reaching the goal of $700 set by the Missions Committee.

♫ Dennis Bucher and the choir promise special Christmas music throughout the month of December.

Mark your calendars for the Children’s Christmas musical, Sunday evening, December 19.