Music

Music holds an important place in the worship life of the congregation. The role of music is chiefly to be servant to the Word. This means that the purpose of the music is to assist in the "telling of His salvation," that is, in the proclamation of the Gospel. The church's music is not an end to itself, but rather a means by which the Word is communicated and a vehicle for the congregation's expressions of prayer and praise in response to their Lord.

The music you are hearing was recorded during the Divine Service at Grace on the Last Sunday of the Church Year, Nov 22, 2009. This setting of Ach, bleib bei uns, Herr Jesu Christ by J. S. Bach is sung here by soprano Lauren Gray and is accompanied by 13-year-old Noah Schuster, cello, and Michael Nieminen, organ. Ach bleib bei uns, Herr Jesu Christ, Weil es nun Abend worden ist, Dein göttlich Wort, das helle Licht, Laß ja bei uns auslöschen nicht. In dieser letzt'n betrübten Zeit Verleih uns, Herr, Beständigkeit, Dass wir dein Wort und Sakrament Rein b'halten bis an unser End. Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide, For round us falls the eventide. O let Your Word, that saving light, Shine forth undimmed into the night. In these last days of great distress Grant us, dear Lord, true steadfastness That we keep pure till life is spent Your holy Word and Sacrament.

The Grace Choir sings twice a month in services from September to May, and practices each Thursday evening starting at 8:00 pm.

The Children's Choir sings during services several times each season, and practices just after the Sunday school opening devotion at 9:30am.

The Junior Choir, for ages 8-18, sings approximately once a month, and practices on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 7:10pm.

The Tone Chime choir for all ages practices on Thursday evenings from 7:15 to 7:55pm.

The String Group practices on Thursday evenings from 7:15 to 7:55pm.

Instrumentalists and guest musicians are also involved from time to time.

The congregation is blessed to have a well-equipped pipe organ. The instrument has a long history, but was most recently completely refurbished by Keates-Geissler, who also installed a new solid-state console.

The music program is led by Michael and Claudia Nieminen. Michael, who has a Colleague diploma from the Royal Canadian College of Organists, is the organist, and Claudia is the choir director.

Information about the CDs produced for our 65th anniversary year: Click here.