Worship and Music Ministry
The Music Ministry at Christ Our Shepherd offers a variety of opportunities for all ages. All groups help lead worship services. Those with the gift of vocal or instrumental music or leadership may be called to serve in this ministry.
ADULTS and HIGH SCHOOL
Sanctuary Choir sings for the 8:30 and 11:00 Sanctuary Services every week, August through May, as well as for Christmas Worship Concerts, Good Friday Tenebræ Service, and other special services. Rehearsals are Wednesdays, 7:30-9:00 p.m., and 20 minutes before the Sunday services. Contact David Beecher for more information.
Handbells – This choir combines for worship but rehearses in two groups. Rehearsals are Tuesdays, 1:00-2:00 p.m., or Tuesdays 5:45-7:00 p.m. Contact David Beecher for more information.
Grace Flock Worship Team leads the 11:00 Fellowship Hall service. The group includes singers, accompanied by acoustic guitars, electric bass guitar, electric violin, V-Drums, flutes, and keyboard. They practice Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m. and Sunday, 9:45-10:45 a.m. Contact Chris Pederson for more information.
Flute Choir - Led by Karl Dietmeyer, this ensemble of adults and students plays during worship, notably at bi-monthly Services for Healing. Rehearsals are Mondays, 7:00-8:00 p.m. The choir includes soprano, E flat, alto and bass flutes, and on occasion, piccolo.
Christ Our Shepherd Brass – Adults and High School students play Brass Choir music with trumpets, French horns, trombones, bass trombone, euphonium, and tuba. They also accompany the choir during special and festival services. Their leaders are Kathy Rothfusz and Lauri Gambrel, and rehearsal is Sunday, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Moravian Trombone Choir - Organized for the church’s first Moravian Love Feast, these young musicians play soprano, alto, tenor and bass trombones. Their leader is Karl Dietmeyer, and their practice schedule is announced.
Sunday Evening Praise Team leads the 6:00 p.m. service; rehearsal is at 5:00 p.m. This group includes keyboard, vocalists, and guitarists.
Clarinet Choir – This ensemble plays Eb, Bb, alto, and bass clarinets during worship and on special occasions. Contact Karl Dietmeyer for more information.
Saxophone Choir – This ensemble plays soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone during worship and on special occasions. Contact Karl Dietmeyer for more information.
Christ Our Shepherd Jazz – This ensemble of brass, woodwind, string, and rhythm players provides jazz combo and jazz orchestra music for special occasions. Contact Karl Dietmeyer for more information.
HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL
Handbells of Lutheran Youth - Ringers play in worship and at special events. They rehearse Wednesdays, 5:00-5:30 and 5:30-6:00 p.m. They are student led with adult supervision.
Shepherd’s Band - This group of woodwind, brass, strings and percussion players frequently accompanies liturgical music and prepares special music for worship. Conducted by Karl Dietmeyer and Lauri Gambrel, they practice Wednesdays, 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Moved by Grace - The church’s dance troupe interprets Christian songs for worship.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Music is part of the Youth LOGOS program for Middle School students. It includes the Handbells of Lutheran Youth, the Shepherd’s Band, as well as other groups.
CHILDREN
Music and the Master - Wednesday afternoons for all K - 5th grade students. A Bible-learning and worship class, with choral and instrumental instruction.
Shepherd’s Flock Singers - sing anthems for worship, present a musical each spring and sing in the Children’s Christmas Program. They practice in two age-level groups.
Shepherd’s Flock Bells - Fourth and fifth-grade ringers prepare anthems for worship as they learn fundamentals of music and bell ringing. They are led by David Beecher.
Shepherd’s Flock Chimers - Led by Lynn Kalinke and Lisa deFrances, these young ringers play Choir Chimes as they learn basics of music reading and ringing.
Shepherd’s Flock Orff – led by Linda Grabill and Jean Dohany, young players learn musical concepts as they play Orff instruments.
Cherub Choir - Pre-kindergarten children join K-1st graders from 4:30 until 5:00 on Wednesdays. Their curriculum emphasizes age-appropriate music and worship concepts.