"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!" 

PSALM 98:4

CHRISTMAS service

A SERVICE OF SACRED MUSIC FOR THE TIME OF CHRISTMAS

Saturday, December 10 at 5:00 p.m. 

Sunday, December 11 at 4:00 p.m.  |  Video  Watch


Rest, refresh, renew, rejoice! 


Come away from the noise, the hectic pace, and the pressures of the season, and be refreshed and renewed by the message of the heavenly angels: the Savior Jesus Christ was born for you. This divine proclamation will be presented by the choirs and instrumentalists of St. Paul's.


The congregation will have opportunities to sing familiar hymns and carols of the season by shimmering candlelight. 

Please join us and invite your family and friends. A cookie and punch reception will follow. 


The event is complimentary with a free will offering.


31st season | 2022-2023

music at st. Paul's

Music at St. Paul's is a vital, self-sustaining component of our congregation's music ministry. Under the directorship of Kantor Matthew Gerhard and in its 31st season, this annual series of special services and musical events brings to St. Paul's guest ensembles and artists who, through words and music, proclaim the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. This music series benefits the members of St. Paul's and serves as an outreach to the greater St. Louis community and beyond. In addition, Music at St. Paul's sponsors the music for festival services in our congregation's regular worship life and provides enrichment for the overall music ministry of our parish.

  • Click here to support Music at St. Paul's with your donation online
  • Update your information or contact us here
  • Visit Music at St. Paul's on Facebook here
  • Downloadable 2022-2023 Season Poster here

Offerings during this season include:

  • SEPTEMBER 2022: Hymn Festival
    With Benjamin Culli, Composer
    Sunday, September 25 at 4:00 p.m. 

  • NOVEMBER 2022: American Kantorei
    Dr. Maurice Boyer, Music Director
    Sunday, November 20 at 3:00 p.m.

  • DECEMBER: A Service of Sacred Music for the Time of Christmas
    Choirs and Instrumentalists of St. Paul’s
    Saturday, December 10 at 5:00 p.m.
    Sunday, December 11 at 4:00 p.m.

  • MARCH 2023: Organ Concert
    Dr. Sunghee Kim, Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Chapel Music at Valparaiso University
    Sunday, March 12 at 4:00 p.m. 

  • MAY 2023: The Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord
    Thursday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m. Divine Service

music opportunities

Music serves a vital role in the worship life of St. Paul's. A number of opportunities are provided for people to use their talents in proclaiming the Gospel through music. Prayerfully consider serving this season in one or more of the following music ensembles


For more information, contact St. Paul's Kantor, Matt Gerhardt, or those listed as directors below: Worship Team Director, Whitney Wade, and Handbells Director, Carol Petering. Click the addme icon to read more about each choir.

  • Director: Matt Gerhardt

    • Men and women, high school to adult
    • Traditional, liturgical music, from simple unison to more complex literature
    • Rehearsals: In the Bender Music Room, Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m., late August through May

  • Director: Matt Gerhardt

    • Men, high school to adult
    • Sings several times each year
    • Rehearsals: two or three weeks before singing; contact the director for dates and times

  • Director: Matt Gerhardt

    • Women, high school to adult
    • Sings several times each year
    • Rehearsals: two or three weeks before singing; contact the director for dates and times

  • Director: Carol Petering

    • Men and women, high school to adult
    • Some prior music reading ability required
    • Rehearsals: Church balcony

  • Director: Carol Petering

    • Adult women
    • Some prior music reading ability required
    • Rehearsals: Church balcony

  • Director: Matt Gerhardt

    • Experienced instrumentalists, high school to adult
    • Brass, percussion, strings, woodwind
    • Rehearsals: Scheduled as needed

  • Director: Whitney Wade

    • Participate in our Living Stone service on Sunday mornings at 10:45am
    • Experienced instrumentalists & singers, high school to adult
    • Guitars, drums, bass, horns, strings, keyboards, woodwinds, and voices

radio interviews

with St. Paul's Music ministry

JANUARY 26, 2022 BROADCAST: Listen here

Kantor Gerhardt and St. Paul's Lutheran School students were interviewed during National Lutheran Schools Week about the importance of music ministry in our schools today. Our students shared in their own words about the blessings of Lutheran education.


JULY 29, 2021 BROADCAST: Listen here

Listen as Matt Gerhardt, St. Paul's Kantor, talks about the music of J. S. Bach, its treatment in worship, and the legacy of music education in our schools, during "Bach Week" on KFUO Radio's Coffee Hour, hosted by Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth.


SEPT. 25, 2020 BROADCAST: Listen here

Mr. Matthew Gerhardt, St. Paul’s Kantor, and the Rev. Dr. Jon Vieker talked with KFUO Radio Coffee Hour hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth about Music at St. Paul's 2020-2021 season-opening hymn festival. The pair discussed who Paul Gerhardt was and what his life was like, the influences on his hymn writing, and the wonderful hymnody presented and sung at St. Paul's in September. 


DEC. 3, 2019 BROADCAST: Listen here

Dr. Mark Bender, St. Paul's Minister of Music, and Matt Gerhart, then Associate Minister of Music, visited the KFUO 850AM studios as guests on The Coffee Hour show, with hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth, during the season of Advent. They discussed the Service of Sacred Music for the Time of Christmas, including the meaningfulness of the choral selections, and the Bible passages and liturgy behind them.