TOM HOWARD (1950 - 2010)

My dear friend, associate music director at St. Bartholomew's, keyboardist, conductor/orchestrator, and composer Tom Howard died two weeks ago. He was taking a walk in a local park with his wife, Dori, and suffered a fatal heart attack.

Tom composed, with Darrell Harris, "It Is Finished" #629 in The Christian Life Hymnal. This is a Memorial Acclamation that we have used at my church in communion each week for the past 5 years. I would encourage you to consider incorporating this music into your worship.

It could be used in the communion service, or during Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday services. It would make a wonderful Call to Worship for Easter Sunday, as well as Ascension Sunday.

If you want to sing it more than once, you can do so by simply playing the last chord as a G7 rather than C chord, and repeat as often as you like.

(PHOTO: Eric (left) and Tom (right) at the piano in the choir loft at our church


You can check out Tom's music at Tom Howard's Amazon Store
A memorial site has been set up on FaceBook: FACEBOOK GROUP: In Memory of Tom Howard

In conclusion, here is the prayer we prayed at Tom's memorial service a week ago Wednesday. "Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant, Tom. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you , a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen."