What a treat we had on Saturday 19th October. Four professional singers performed songs from the musicals covering shows such as Sister Act, West Side Story, The Phantom of the Opera and The Greatest Showman. As members of “West End has Faith” (www.westendhasfaith.com), they not only delighted us with a variety of songs but also their own testimonies of how Jesus comes first both in their lives and careers. They linked the songs to their faith or how God had worked in a particularly difficult time in their lives, so the words took on a more profound meaning. It was such an encouragement to hear that although at times they felt they had reached rock bottom, they clung to their faith, reached out to Jesus and he lifted them out of their sorrow.
Along with their testimonies, Lucy Wall (lucywallpoetry.co.uk) recited one of her poems called Seize the Day. It spoke to Christians, telling us to seize the day, taking opportunities given to us to tell others about Jesus, and being prepared to give an answer for our faith; it spoke to non-Christians to seize the day and get to know Jesus before it is too late; and finally it spoke to all people to seize the day and find out where we stand with God so that we are not lost on the day of judgement.
There were songs for everyone and songs from musicals I haven’t heard or seen – Newsies, Smash and Funny Girl. The Disney princess medley was a particular favourite as well as the three songs from Les Misérables that ended the first half – such emotive words and music. They were accompanied by an amazing pianist whose fingers seemed to fly across the keys, perfectly in tune (pun intended!) with the singers and the emotion of each song.
It was an uplifting evening. The power of music and words helping us to focus on Jesus and bring glory to him, together with the power of their own words of how Jesus has worked and continues to work in their lives in a particularly demanding career.