Mark Knickelbein

Introducing new music to your congregation is an important task that can require much patience and persistence. A little planning and coordination ahead of time can help eliminate some of the frustration that comes with it. Here are a few suggestions on how to roll out a new piece of music to your congregation.

We know many of you are getting started recruiting musicians and selecting music for this year. To help you with that, we’ve put together a list of pieces you may want to consider for Advent and Christmas. 

Last week, we interviewed composers Jonathan Kohrs and Jacob Weber and asked about their work on the new Festival Settings of Luther's Divine Service. Professor Kohrs teaches music courses at Concordia University Chicago, and Weber serves as Kantor at Emmanuel Lutheran Church and School in Dearborn, MI.

As some churches move toward high-tech services with more modern music, some may consider handbells old fashioned, out of date, or just not interesting. But handbell ensembles have specific benefits that can’t be matched by other types of ensembles. Because of their unique, irreplaceable roles, they are as important in the church as they have ever been.