🎹                Honoring Our Pianists: A Ministry of Faithfulness and Grace

 

At Abbott Methodist Church, music is more than sound — it is prayer, comfort, and the steady heartbeat of our worship. Week after week, the piano leads us into praise, quiets our spirits, and prepares our hearts to meet God. Behind that music stand two faithful servants whose gifts shape the life of our congregation: Jan Oden and LeeAnn Ewing.

Together, Jan and LeeAnn share the responsibilities of the piano ministry by alternating months, creating a rhythm of partnership that keeps our worship grounded and strong. Their styles are unique, yet their hearts are united in the same purpose — to offer their gifts with humility, devotion, and love for their church family.

 

✨ Jan — A Lifetime Shaped by Music

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Jan Oden’s love for the piano began when she was just seven years old. What started as childhood lessons grew into ten years of dedicated study — years she not only valued, but truly enjoyed. Music became a lifelong companion, something steady and expressive that stayed with her through every season.

In 1985, Jan began teaching piano in her home, sharing her gift with students for twenty years. Those lessons were more than instruction; they were ministry — patient, joyful, and rooted in her belief that music is meant to be passed on.

Jan and her husband, Ron, came to Abbott in 2012 when Ron was called to preach. Not long after, an opening arose at the piano, and Jan stepped in with her characteristic willingness to serve. She filled in several times before eventually becoming a regular at the keyboard. Today, her playing carries both her years of training and her heart for the church — warm, steady, and deeply rooted in her lifelong love of music.

 

✨ LeeAnn Ewing — A Steady Presence in Worship and Service

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LeeAnn Ewing’s love for music began early — she started learning the piano at just six years old. She and her husband, Ronnie, began attending Abbott Methodist in 2013, becoming faithful and familiar faces in the life of the congregation. Not long after they arrived, LeeAnn began substituting at the piano whenever another pianist needed someone to step in, offering her gifts with quiet willingness and a servant’s heart.

Her ministry extends far beyond music. Each week, LeeAnn prepares the church bulletins with care, shaping the words and layout that guide us through worship. It is a behind‑the‑scenes task, but one that reflects her devotion and her desire to support the church in ways many never see.

Ronnie serves right alongside her. Every Sunday, he rings the church bell — a simple, beautiful act that calls our community to worship. And every other week, he makes the trip to the church to deliver the freshly printed bulletins, ensuring everything is ready for Sunday morning. Together, they embody a spirit of service that is humble, steady, and deeply faithful.

When it is her month at the piano, LeeAnn brings the same qualities to her music — sincerity, gentleness, and a quiet devotion that lifts the room without ever seeking attention.

 

🙏 A Shared Offering

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Jan and LeeAnn bring different stories, different styles, and different paths to the piano — yet their ministry blends into one offering of worship. Through their music, they help us pray, reflect, rejoice, and draw near to God. Their faithfulness enriches our services, strengthens our community, and blesses every person who walks through the doors of Abbott Methodist Church.

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We honor them with gratitude — not only for the notes they play, but for the hearts behind them.