Mark your Calendars: Matt Maher coming to Truro February 15th

If you are in the Washington DC area Feb. 15, join us at Truro as we welcome singer-songwriter Matt Maher:

Born and raised in Newfoundland, Canada, Matt grew up in a strong culture comprised of two elements: music and tradition. “Music is part of the fabric of the culture there, similar to places like Louisiana or the Appalachian mountains; and over the years, not just Celtic music, but music of every kind.

“I grew up listening to American Top 40 with Casey Kasem every Saturday, rain or shine. My dad would cook while listening to Willie Nelson or Frank Sinatra. My cousins, who lived next door, listened to everything from Broadway to British Rock, like the Beatles and The Who.”

Early in life, Matt’s parents realized his talent for music and started him in piano lessons. He quickly absorbed as many musical styles as possible, playing in concert and jazz ensembles, singing in choir, and even playing in a high school garage rock band.

For singer/songwriter/worship leader Matt Maher, there is nothing more special about his call than anyone else’s, and like those before him, he is trying to live that same call, as his 11-track Essential Records debut album’s title says, to be made Empty & Beautiful.

Maher breaks open these two simple words on the project, in songs that are both corporate and reflective; driving and soft; each one telling the story from a different perspective. Empty & Beautiful was co-produced by Maher and Jeff Thomas.

Over two thousand years, men and women have responded to God’s invitation to grace, all as part of the Body of Christ; the church. To accept the revelation that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior of mankind; that He paid the price for all of humanity’s transgressions, and that this gift of reconciliation with God is made for all to receive freely through the cross.

As part of the body, each person’s response is lived in a way as unique as the individual. Yet, despite the distance of time, culture, and ethnic origins, each call is connected in common struggles and themes, chief of which is, as Jesus says in the gospel of Luke, to “pick up his cross and follow me" -- to empty oneself and be filled with that beautiful grace. To be ‘empty and beautiful.’

Another way to put it is the word relinquish. Not an easy word in these most litigious days, but it does seem to be a Gospel-imperative if we are actually going to get anywhere. It's one of those fascinating paradoxes, like in losing one's life we find it.

BabyBlueOnline will be there and we hope to do a podcast with Matt, so stay tuned. It would be great to have a meet-up, so if you plan to be there, please let us know and we'll put together some details. The event is open to all. Here's more info:

Matt Maher at Truro
Sunday, Feb. 15
8:30, 11:15 and 2:00 p.m.

Truro Church
10250 Main Street
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 273-1300