The harmony of faith: Our music program

At St Mark, our music program is a vibrant expression of our faith and community. We believe, as Martin Luther taught, that music is second only to theology in teaching our faith. It enriches our worship, inspires our spirits, and binds us together in harmony. Discover how music helps us connect, grow, and celebrate our shared journey.

“Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise”    Martin Luther 1483-1546

MUSICAL MINISTRIES

The mission of the St. Mark music program is to strengthen and empower the spiritual journeys of the musicians; the congregation; and our friends, neighbors, and visitors who come through our doors.  The robust Lutheran tradition provides ample opportunities for growth and life-changing experiences.

While musical goodness is always a priority, the music program is primarily about spiritual growth and assisting in our individual and collective walk with Jesus.  During rehearsals, we spend time reading and meditating on the Scriptures; praying for others and ourselves; and reflecting on the spiritual meaning of our anthems and musical selections.  We ground ourselves in the Liturgical Calendar to gain insight into God’s plan of salvation.  Each year we journey through expectation and hope of salvation (Advent), receiving God’s gift of a Holy Child (Christmas), enlightenment and revelation of what this Child means to us (Epiphany), journeying with Jesus through the wilderness and crucifixion (Lent and Holy Week), celebrating Resurrection and new life (Easter), and living in the Spirit (Pentecost). 

Of course, we also devote lots of energy working toward excellent musical expression and just having fun!

The musical ministries of St. Mark include the following groups:

·        St. Mark Vocal Choir: The vocal choir is composed of singers from the congregation and performs music in different styles during services throughout the year, September through early June.  

·        St. Mark Bell Choir: The bell choir is composed of folks from the congregation with varying musical abilities and experiences.  A wonderful aspect of bell ringing is that it can involve anyone willing to be open to learning and fun while making music.  We ring 4 or 5 times of year for Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost.

·        St. Mark Youth Ensemble:  The ensemble proclaims the Good News of the Gospel and learns about Jesus through songs, chimes, and instruments.

·        Congregational Singing:  Our congregation loves to sing and they do so energetically.  They embrace old favorites and new soon-to-be favorites.  They also robustly support various parts of the liturgy.

·        Special Music:  During the summer as the choirs take a seasonal vacation, singers and vocalists offer their talents to the glory of God.

·        Instruments: St. Mark is blessed with a beautiful Rogers organ that provides a large palette of colors and sounds to enhance our worship.  The 7’ concert Steinway is also a beautiful instrument that provides music for our worship services. 

 Come join us as we praise God through musical ministry!