Hits: 39

Our Love of Music     

By Pete Schrank

Most Lutherans, at least this Lutheran, love to sing. Even if we can’t sing, we like to listen to and appreciate music. Who does not love to see the little ones in their robes singing “Jesus Loves Me”, or the Saint Olaf College singing the traditional Christmas Hymns? David wrote songs of praise long ago in the Old Testament, Psalms. My voice is at best average, but singing praises to God fills my soul with the light of God’s love. As Sandy Knopp (Music Director at CELC) would say, “make a joyful noise unto the Lord”.

To quote Martin Luther “Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.” Martin Luther wrote many hymns and added more music to the order of service in his day. Christ Lutheran Orland Park will be hosting a modern music leader, Dr. Carl Schalk, of Concordia University Chicago. Dr. Schalk has written numerous books about Church Music, Lutheran Music, Luther on Music, and God’s Songs, among others. He is a composer, teacher, author, and lecturer. Dr. Schalk is an advisor to Concordia Publishing House, and was the editor of the publication Church Music for 14 years. He has written over 100 hymns and carols. He led the effort to develop the Masters in Church Music program at Concordia, Chicago. A lifetime spent in the celebration of church music has been his passion and calling. The opportunity to meet and interact with Dr. Schalk is being enabled by the CELC Endowment fund, a true blessing of the treasures we have received from God.

Dr. Schalk will present a discussion on his newly published booklet A Lutheran Catechism: Understanding Church Music in the Lutheran Tradition at Christ Lutheran Orland Park on Tuesday October 10th starting at 10 AM.Please call the Church office to pre-register at 708-349-0431.