July 6

On July 6, 1957, at a small church fair in Liverpool, music history quietly changed forever. John Lennon was performing with his band, The Quarry Men, at the Woolton Parish Church Garden Fête—a modest event featuring a dog show, a brass band, and local festivities. During their afternoon set, a 15-year-old boy named Paul McCartney showed up to watch. Though John’s guitar skills were rough and he occasionally ad-libbed forgotten lyrics, his charm and stage presence caught Paul’s attention. After the show, a mutual friend introduced the two teenagers in the church hall.

There, Paul pulled out his guitar and played a few rock ’n’ roll favorites—“Twenty Flight Rock,” “Be-Bop-A-Lula,” and a medley of Little Richard songs. John was impressed, not just by Paul’s musical skill but by the shared passion he sensed in him. The two clicked almost instantly, and soon Paul was helping John tune his guitar and jotting down song chords. Later that evening, John told a bandmate he thought they should bring Paul on board. Just two weeks later, John Lennon invited Paul McCartney to join The Quarry Men—a simple decision that would evolve into one of the greatest musical partnerships of all time.

A Prayer for the Day the Music Was Born

God of wonder and surprise,

Thank You for the days we don't yet see as sacred—

the days that begin with A Hard Day’s Night

and end with a song in someone else's heart.

We remember July 6, 1957—

a moment hidden in the ordinary,

when one Day Tripper met another on a simple church field.

No fame, no spotlight—just Two of Us

sharing a love for music and dreaming of Strawberry Fields Forever.

Remind us that greatness doesn’t always arrive with trumpets.

Sometimes it walks in with Yesterday’s guitar,

mumbles forgotten lyrics, and still finds Something beautiful.

May we never miss the meaning in the moment.

May we Let It Be—and let it grow.

May we risk connection,

even if our timing isn’t perfect and our chords aren’t clean.

Because when we do, the world may just Come Together.

Bless the music that follows—

the soundtracks to revolutions, reunions, and quiet moments alone.

Use our gifts to Help! others,

to offer hope when it feels like Here Comes the Sun is a long way off.

And in the end, may we leave behind a little more light,

a little more love,

and a little more All You Need Is Love than we found.

Amen.

Reflection

Listen to your favorite Beatle songs today—and be happy.

If you don't have a favorite, let me introduce you to some:

All of those used in the prayer and

The Long and Winding Road

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

Good Day Sunshine

Octopus Garden

I Want to Hold Your Hand

And literally a ton more.