Greetings! This new monthly column is here to help keep you informed about what's going on in the world of MUSIC and WORSHIP at St. John. What will you see in upcoming months?

• Answers to QUESTIONS about Music & Worship.
• News about the PEOPLE who make and plan your worship.
• News about upcoming worship/music EVENTS.
• Other humorous and interesting items about Music & Worship.

POLKA MUSIC? In CHURCH?! YOU BET! The 2nd annual Oktoberfest/Polka Worship will be on Sunday September 19th at all three services. Is it PROPER to do that kind of music in church? YES! Martin Luther said that any music that glorifies God is proper, and the words to all the Polka/Waltz songs do just that. The Polka service contains all the elements of a traditional Lutheran Communion service, except that the music is set to well-known Waltz and Polka music. Luther, Bach, and other famous composers took "contemporary" music and wrote Christian words for them. That's how we got songs like "What Child is This?" (LBW 40), "Praise & Thanksgiving" (LBW 409) and many others. Even the "Star Spangled Banner" was set to an old English drinking song! So, come, enjoy, and use this service to "Restore unto me the JOY of thy Salvation" (Ps 51:12). After Worship, stick around for the Bratfest in the shelter at noon, and dance to the Kaiser Wilhelm Rathskeller Brummers from 1:30 - 3:30!

Pastor chooses the SERMON HYMN and members of the Worship Committee, which consists of the Music Staff members, alternate organists, an appointed Elder, and six appointed members of the congregation, choose the rest. Each member is assigned a Sunday, and after carefully studying the lessons for that day, hymns are chosen to accentuate the themes found in the texts. If the texts don't suggest any songs to us, we have a "Cheat Sheet" published by the national church, making suggestions for each Sunday. We then review our choices for singability. Because our members have a wide variety of musical tastes and experiences, this gives us an opportunity to try to have something for everyone over the course of several weeks.

Meet our Members - Deloris Graber. In this space, we'd like to introduce each of the Worship Committee members in upcoming months. This month, we feature DELORIS GRABER, our organist. Deloris, a life-long member of St. John, has served as organist for 40 years. She gives private music lessons on piano and organ, and works as a Mary Kay cosmetic consultant. She's married, has four children and three grandchildren, so far. Her musical tastes include everything from Country/Western, EZ Listening, Blues, Show Tunes, and Big Band, but her favorites are Gospel, Traditional Christian, and Classical. What role does music play for her? "Music plays an important role in worship. We share in God's grace and glory, using our talents for His honor and to His Holy Name. Serving as organist for 40 years has indeed been a "special blessing" to me and my family. God is so good!"

Until Next Month: Remember to "Make a Joyful Noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with singing."(Ps: 100:1-2).

Soli Deo Gloria (To God alone be the Glory)

Donald L. Bauer, Choral & Contemporary Music Director