Music is a powerful and beautiful way that we can give praise to God. It can be used during the Mass to enhance the liturgy and to help parishioners enter more fully into the sacrifice that is taking place upon the altar. Here at Saint Michael Parish, the Lifeteen Youth Band offers middle school and high school students the opportunity to share their musical talents with the congregation.
The Lifeteen Youth Band currently has about seven kids involved and is directed by Jaysen Geissler. The group comes together for the 5 p.m. Mass on the fourth Sunday of the month to lead parishioners in music and worship.
“It is important for the kids in the band because it gets them excited about playing music for Mass specifically,” Jaysen says. “It encourages them to put their gifts to use for the Church. A lot of them like secular music, and this gives them an outlet to use those God-given gifts in service to the Church.”
The band plays contemporary music, including songs by Matt Maher, Phil Wickham, Chris Tomlin, and
Brooke Ligertwood. The band includes multiple instruments, typically consisting of piano, bass, violin, guitar, and drums.
“These kids work together and make something beautiful,” Jaysen says. “They lead their peers into engagement in worship. They work hard, too — learning and singing different harmonies. We are raising up worship leaders who can, in the future, serve the Church in various aspects musically.”
Band members are required to attend two rehearsals each month. The first is held a week before and the second is a couple hours prior to Mass itself.
Jaysen shares that he would love to see the band continue to grow and to see the kids continue to develop their gifts and talents. One way that Jaysen has already seen growth is when older members invite younger people to be involved.
“It is almost like a kind of discipleship,” Jaysen says. “Older members recognize the talents in younger kids and bring them in. The younger kids are encouraged to develop their skills and to use their talents to serve the Lord. I have also seen their individual leadership skills continue to develop.”
For questions about Lifeteen Youth Band or to get involved, contact Jaysen Geissler at jgeissler@saintmichaelparish.org or 360-470-4723.