If you’ve ever attended a Fellowship Service in our New Life Center, chances are you’ve seen and heard Daniel Schwarz and members of his family helping lead worship.

For the Schwarz family, serving is an expression of gratitude for all God has given them. “God has shown His favor in many areas of our lives that go way beyond the saving grace of knowing Jesus,” Daniel says. “We want to honor Him with our time and gifts in all things.”

That desire has shaped more than two decades of life at St. Paul for Daniel, his wife, Karen, and their sons, Caedmon, Isaac and Luke, with music becoming a special connection between generations.

A Shared Love of Music

After growing up leading music through his college years, Daniel looked for ways to stay involved when his family moved to Fort Worth and joined St. Paul in 2004. He began by helping with audio equipment and eventually joined the Praise Band.

As their sons grew older, music became something Daniel could share with them. Caedmon, Isaac and Luke all began learning instruments through St. Paul Lutheran School’s Strings Program. Caedmon and Isaac went on to explore bass guitar, electric guitar, and keyboards, eventually playing with the Middle School Worship Team.

A favorite memory of Daniel’s comes from those middle school years.

“When the boys participated in the Middle School Worship Team, they formed an awesomely talented and really sweet group,” Daniel says. “They led their classmates and others in the church powerfully and simply in worship.”

Keeping the Focus on the Why

Today, music continues to be an integral part of the family’s life at St. Paul. For Daniel and his sons, taking the stage has never been about the spotlight.

“We love creating music for the purpose of leading people straight toward God in worship,” Daniel explains. “The desire to do it simply and genuinely, without distraction or performance, keeps us focused on the real purpose we’re there—to worship our Creator!”

That desire to use their gifts to honor God reflects one of St. Paul’s core values: Living Generously—Christ’s love compels us to give ourselves for His glory.

More than 20 years after joining St. Paul, Daniel and Karen have seen their sons grow up in the church and discover gifts of their own. While the ways they serve may look different, the family’s joy in giving back is always connected to something greater—with Daniel and the boys specifically using their musical abilities to lead others in worship.

“We think that He’s given us musical ability for just that reason,” Daniel says.