What is a cantor? Or a kantor? And, just what, exactly, is a Director of Parish Music? Rev. Sean Daenzer, Director of LCMS Worship, talks with Cantor Paul Soulek about these various titles for church musicians, and how those serving the Church in the role of chief musician support God’s Mission Here among us through their stewardship of liturgy, music, hymnody, and song.

Bio:

Paul Soulek, a hotdish loving Minnesota native, serves as Cantor of St. John Lutheran Church and School in Seward, Nebraska, where he plays the organ, directs vocal and instrumental ensembles, and all the other things cantors usually do. He teaches courses in organ and church music at Concordia University, Nebraska, where he also directs the Male Chorus. When not making music, Paul enjoys spending time with family and friends, undertaking home renovations, and enjoying the natural wonders of Nebraska. He is a graduate of Concordia, Nebraska (bachelor’s, 2007) and Concordia Chicago (master’s, 2015).

Resources:

• https://form.jotform.com/231374845411959?utm_source=LCMS+Ministry+Resources&utm_campaign=942c15d043-email-lcms-worship-september-october-2024&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_401c8964ac-942c15d043-&ct=t(email-lcms-worship-september-october-2024)
• www.lcms.org/worship

Theme music: Hark the Voice of Jesus Calling, used by permission, TheHymnalProject.com.

God’s Mission Here spotlights the work that God is doing through His people... and this work is closer to home than you might expect! Listen as we chat with some very down-to-earth people who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty in God’s mission field. Get inspired. Be encouraged. Get involved! Learn more about LCMS National Mission lcms.org/nationalmission

Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

How does one plan an Institute? Kantor Christina Roberts joins Rev. Sean Daenzer to discuss the details and logistics that go into planning an event like the 2024 LCMS Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music, held this past July in Seward, NE and the important role that church musicians play in bringing the Word of God to the Church in music and song.

Bio:

Christina Roberts has served as the Kantor of Our Savior Lutheran Church and School in Grand Rapids, Michigan for over two decades. The product of a Nebraska one-room country schoolhouse, she braved the DFW metroplex to receive her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Texas and start her church work career at Messiah Lutheran in Keller, Texas. During her tenure at OSL-GR she completed her Master's of Church Music at Concordia University Chicago. Roberts also presents and directs ensembles at conferences, has been a contributing author to several Lutheran publications, and served on the Programmatic Committee for the 2024 LCMS Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music. She is married to OSL's seventh and eighth grade teacher, Jerry. Their days are filled with the exuberance of five children (ages 14-20), an attempt to read better books, and a healthy dose of liturgically-themed cocktails.

Resources:

• https://resources.lcms.org/worship-planning/psalm-sheets/
• www.lcms.org/worship

Theme music: Hark the Voice of Jesus Calling, used by permission, TheHymnalProject.com.

God’s Mission Here spotlights the work that God is doing through His people... and this work is closer to home than you might expect! Listen as we chat with some very down-to-earth people who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty in God’s mission field. Get inspired. Be encouraged. Get involved! Learn more about LCMS National Mission lcms.org/nationalmission

Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Join Rev. Sean Daenzer and Concordia Irvine students Shane, Noah, Joshua, and (CUI adjacent) Jacob as they reflect on their formative experiences at the 2024 LCMS Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music this past July, and as they discuss how the liturgy, psalms, and the habit of praying the daily offices has deepened and expanded their growth as young Christians as they study for future service in the Church as pastors, musicians, and artists.

Bio:

Shane Perry is a senior at Concordia University Irvine, majoring in Art/Graphic Design and minoring in Pre-Seminary studies.

Jacob Tung recently graduated from University of California – San Diego and attends University of Irvine as a graduate student, studying electrical engineering. He serves as an organist at Trinity Christo Rey Lutheran Church Santa Anna, CA.

Noah Martini is a senior at Concordia University Irvine, studying Biblical Languages. He is part of the Pre-Seminary program.

Joshua Rueter is a sophomore at Concordia University Irvine in the Pre-Seminary program. He is majoring in theology, but also is involved with the CUI music department and plays French Horn in the orchestra. He grew up in Southern California and commutes to campus.

Resources:

• www.lcms.org/worship

Theme music: Hark the Voice of Jesus Calling, used by permission, TheHymnalProject.com.

God’s Mission Here spotlights the work that God is doing through His people... and this work is closer to home than you might expect! Listen as we chat with some very down-to-earth people who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty in God’s mission field. Get inspired. Be encouraged. Get involved! Learn more about LCMS National Mission lcms.org/nationalmission

Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

LCMS Worship partnered with the Lutheran Witness for a whole series of monthly articles on worship in 2024. The series kicked off with the January issue devoted to the Divine Service, perfect for guiding new Lutherans gently into the Church’s ways of worship and veterans into the depths of its riches. Rev. Roy Askins joins Rev. Sean Daenzer to discuss these resources and how to help bring Christians into greater appreciation for the most common part of our mission in every place: Sunday morning worship.

Bio:

Rev. Roy S. Askins is the managing editor of The Lutheran Witness.

Resources:

• https://witness.lcms.org/2024/the-divine-service-a-guide/

Theme music: Hark the Voice of Jesus Calling, used by permission, TheHymnalProject.com.

God’s Mission Here spotlights the work that God is doing through His people... and this work is closer to home than you might expect! Listen as we chat with some very down-to-earth people who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty in God’s mission field. Get inspired. Be encouraged. Get involved! Learn more about LCMS National Mission lcms.org/nationalmission

Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

God’s Word is a rich treasury of comfort, instruction, admonition, and truth for the Christian. Rev. Christopher Nuttelman joins Rev. Sean Daenzer, LCMS Director of Worship, to discuss our calling as Christians to dwell regularly in the scriptures through meditation, prayer, study, and devotion, and how the Holy Spirit uses the Word - especially the Psalms - to shape us in the pattern of faithful followers of Christ. Join us as we explore “moving in” to the house of God’s Word through daily meditation and prayer, and the joy of viewing all our life through the “windows” of God’s mercy to us in Christ Jesus, as proclaimed therein.

Bio:

Christopher Nuttelman is pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids, MI and Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in West Olive, MI. From Kearney, NE, he studied at the University of Nebraska and then Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN. He and his wife Amy have four daughters.

Resources:

• https://www.lcms.org/worship/memory-verse-challenge
• https://www.lcms.org/worship/one-year-series-prayers
• https://www.lcms.org/worship/three-year-series-prayers

Theme music: Hark the Voice of Jesus Calling, used by permission, TheHymnalProject.com.

God’s Mission Here spotlights the work that God is doing through His people... and this work is closer to home than you might expect! Listen as we chat with some very down-to-earth people who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty in God’s mission field. Get inspired. Be encouraged. Get involved! Learn more about LCMS National Mission lcms.org/nationalmission

Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

LCMS Worship aims to nurture a culture of confessional faithfulness, artistic excellence, and integrity in the presentation, distribution, and reception of God’s life-giving gifts in the Word and Sacraments. This ministry seeks to deepen an understanding of and love for the Lutheran heritage in Christian worship, while also identifying and encouraging the many musical treasures and gifts that the Holy Spirit continues to pour upon the church. Rev. Daniel Galchutt and Rev. Sean Daenzer discuss how LCMS Worship cultivates a deep understanding of, and appreciation for, the heart of God’s mission among us – His gift of Word and Sacraments in the Divine Service.

Bio:

Rev. Daniel Galchutt serves as the Executive Director of the LCMS Office of National Mission.

Rev. Sean Daenzer serves as the Director of LCMS Worship and as Chaplain at the LCMS International Center.

Resources:

• https://www.lcms.org/worship
• https://www.lcms.org/worship/lectionary-summaries
• https://www.lcms.org/worship/advent
• https://www.lcms.org/lent

Theme music: Hark the Voice of Jesus Calling, used by permission, TheHymnalProject.com.

God’s Mission Here spotlights the work that God is doing through His people... and this work is closer to home than you might expect! Listen as we chat with some very down-to-earth people who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty in God’s mission field. Get inspired. Be encouraged. Get involved! Learn more about LCMS National Mission lcms.org/nationalmission.

Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Rev. Dr. Brian Heller and Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Nehrt discuss all things prison ministry, including ways for both church workers and laity to get involved as well as helpful resources available for congregations.

Learn more about LCMS Specialized Spiritual Care Ministry Specialized Spiritual Care Ministry - The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (lcms.org)

Bio:

Rev. Dr. Jeffery D. Nehrt received his Divine Call to serve as pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Greenville, IL in 1993. This Call included prison ministry at the Federal Correctional Institution in Greenville. Following six months of training with Rev. Maurice Alms and Rev. Jim Rivett, he began serving the Greenville Main Institution and Work camp in 1994. He ministers to both male and female inmates. In his ministry, he leads Bible studies, gives one on one pastoral care, provides Word and Sacrament Ministry, Catechesis, and private confession and absolution. For 5 years, Pastor Nehrt served as president of the Prison Family Hospitality Group. He participates in both spring and fall prison training with other prison volunteers in the Southern Illinois District. He has supervised in training 5 deaconess candidates for prison ministry. He is currently volunteering for Concordia Seminary as a RFE Module Supervisor for the Prison Ministry. Pastor Nehrt has served as a committee member for the “LCMS Prison and Jail Ministry" conferences and is currently serving on the LCMS Prison Task Force and helping with the SID Reaching In Pilot Program.

Theme music: Hark the Voice of Jesus Calling, used by permission, TheHymnalProject.com.

God’s Mission Here spotlights the work that God is doing through His people... and this work is closer to home than you might expect! Listen as we chat with some very down-to-earth people who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty in God’s mission field. Get inspired. Be encouraged. Get involved! Learn more about LCMS National Mission lcms.org/nationalmission

Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Deaconess Rojas describes the work that she does in specialized and diverse contexts and also provides insight into how LCMS church workers can productively engage clinical training programs like Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE).

Learn more about LCMS Specialized Spiritual Care Ministry Specialized Spiritual Care Ministry - The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (lcms.org)

Bio:

Deaconess Raquel A. Rojas is the Deaconess of Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in The Bronx, New York, a parish of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) where “God’s People Pray.” She is a member of the Concordia Deaconess Conference and serves on its Executive Committee, specializing in membership. She is serving her second term on the Board of Directors of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Atlantic District. Deaconess Rojas is a published author in a book of devotions for women entitled Words of Peace and Protection, published by Concordia Publishing House, having also written devotional pieces for Concordia College New York, the LCMS Atlantic District, and other organizations. Having served in other capacities previously, Deaconess Rojas currently serves as President of The Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Atlantic District since May 2022. Deaconess Rojas received a Master of Arts in Deaconess Studies from Concordia Theological Seminary (Fort Wayne, Indiana) and received her clinical pastoral education (ACPE) at Calvary Hospital in The Bronx, New York.

Theme music: Hark the Voice of Jesus Calling, used by permission, TheHymnalProject.com.

God’s Mission Here spotlights the work that God is doing through His people... and this work is closer to home than you might expect! Listen as we chat with some very down-to-earth people who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty in God’s mission field. Get inspired. Be encouraged. Get involved! Learn more about LCMS National Mission lcms.org/nationalmission

Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Pastor Grimmer describes how the relationship between the LCMS pastor and the LCMS church worker serving in a chaplaincy role at a local institution is an incredible blessing to all involved, and also provides helpful suggestions for ways that congregations can care for residents of senior living communities.

Bio:

Pastor Daniel Grimmer was raised in metro Detroit. He has been pastor of Zion Lutheran Church since 2015, where he was placed after graduating from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He's married to Christine, and together they have three children: Adam, Simeon, and Martha.

Theme music: Hark the Voice of Jesus Calling, used by permission, TheHymnalProject.com.

God’s Mission Here spotlights the work that God is doing through His people... and this work is closer to home than you might expect! Listen as we chat with some very down-to-earth people who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty in God’s mission field. Get inspired. Be encouraged. Get involved! Learn more about LCMS National Mission lcms.org/nationalmission

Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

Rev. Dr. Brian Heller and Deac. Dr. Tiffany Manor discuss the ins and outs of LCMS Specialized Spiritual Care Ministry, highlighting the joys and challenges of serving in specialized contexts, training opportunities available for church workers, resources produced for church workers serving in chaplaincy roles, and prison ministry, to name a few.

Learn more about LCMS Specialized Spiritual Care Ministry Specialized Spiritual Care Ministry - The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (lcms.org)

Bios:

Brian Heller holds a Doctor of Ministry degree in spiritual care training from Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN. With extensive experience serving as a chaplain in both trauma hospital settings and disaster response, he has completed four units of clinical pastoral education and Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) training. Brian has dedicated 13 years to the Michigan Air National Guard, currently serving as the superintendent for the 110th Wing Command Post. Currently serving as the manager of LCMS Specialized Spiritual Care Ministry, he equips, trains, and provides resources to church workers and students pursuing chaplaincy roles within the Synod. Residing in Glen Carbon, IL, Brian is married to his wife, Jennette, and they are blessed with four children.

Deaconess Tiffany Manor is the Director of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Life Ministry. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from the University of Northern Iowa, and a Master of Arts in Deaconess Studies from Concordia Theological Seminary. Manor also has served the LCMS New England District in the areas of church worker wellness, human care and school ministry. Tiffany is married to the Rev. Jonathan Manor, pastor of Lutheran Church of the Savior in Bedford, MA, and they have four children. She enjoys walking, crafts, swimming, kayaking and “all things water.”

Theme music: Hark the Voice of Jesus Calling, used by permission, TheHymnalProject.com.

God’s Mission Here spotlights the work that God is doing through His people... and this work is closer to home than you might expect! Listen as we chat with some very down-to-earth people who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty in God’s mission field. Get inspired. Be encouraged. Get involved! Learn more about LCMS National Mission lcms.org/nationalmission

Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.