musicMINISTRY


Christmas Music Service: Dec. 12 & 13

A SERVICE OF SACRED MUSIC FOR THE TIME OF CHRISTMAS

circlerightarrow  PREREGISTER TO ATTEND


Choirs and Instrumentalists of St. Paul’s
Saturday, December 12, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. 
Sunday, December 13, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. 


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, handbell ensembles, and orchestra of St. Paul's. 


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


Our annual “Service of Sacred Music for the Time of Christmas” is offered by Music at St. Paul’s. Please join us and invite your family and friends. The event is complimentary with a free will offering. 


Allowing for COVID-19 precautions, seating will be limited, with guests required to wear masks and to preregister: link coming soon.


Alternate Map Marker    MAP & PARKING 

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

PSALM 98:4

2020-2021

music at st. Paul's

Music at St. Paul's is a vital, self-sustaining component of our congregation's music ministry. Currently in its 29th 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 some of the festival services in our congregation's regular worship life and provides enrichment for the overall music ministry of our parish.


 PREREGISTER TO ATTEND circlerightarrow  HERE

To ensure that St. Paul's can observe county ordinances on capacity limits, and offer six-foot pew distancing, all those attending on-site music events will need to preregister in advance. For further assistance with registration, please phone our church office at 314-822-0447.


Masks Required: In compliance with county safety mandates, all event guests will be required to wear a face mask while on premises, and for the duration of the event. To read more about general safety procedures in place at St. Paul's, click here. 

  • Click here to support Music at St. Paul's with your donation online here
  • Update your information or contact us here
  • Visit Music at St. Paul's on Facebook here
  • Downloadable 2020-2021 Season Poster here


Offerings during this season include:

  • SEPTEMBER: PAUL GERHARDT HYMN FESTIVAL
    Rev. Dr. Jon Vieker, Commentator
    Mr. Matthew Gerhardt, Organist
    Sunday, September 27, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. 


  • NOVEMBER: AMERICAN KANTOREI
    Dr. Maurice Boyer, Conductor
    Sunday, November 8, 2020 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 12, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
    Sunday, December 13, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. 

  • JANUARY: ART AND SONG
    Kelly Schumacher, Artist l Erin Bode, Vocalist
    Sunday, January 31, 2021
    Art Exhibit 4:00-6:45 p.m. l Concert 7:00 p.m. 

  • FEBRUARY: ORGAN CONCERT
    Mr. Nicholas Quardokus, Assistant Organist, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, New York City, New York
    Sunday, February 21, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. 

  • MAY: THE FESTIVAL OF THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD
    Choirs and Instrumentalists of St. Paul’s
    Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Divine Service

radio interviews

with St. Paul's Music Ministers

SEPT. 25, 2020 BROADCAST: Listen here

Mr. Matthew Gerhardt, St. Paul’s Associate Minister of Music, 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, 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.

  • PROMOTION OF MATTHEW GERHARDT

    2020 ANNOUNCEMENT

    St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is pleased to announce the promotion of Matthew Gerhardt to the position of Associate Minister of Music.


    “We are blessed to have Matt and his wife, Rachel, at St. Paul’s,” commented Senior Pastor Glen Thomas. “Matt is a very gifted musician and a wonderful colleague on our church staff. We look forward to what we hope will be many years of his service in our midst.”


    St. Paul’s Elders and Church Council approved the recommendation from Pastor Thomas, congregation President David Ziegler, and Mark Bender to promote Matthew Gerhardt, who first joined St. Paul’s in 2018 as Assistant Minister of Music.


    With his advancement effective July 1, Matt will assume directorship of the Adult Choir. He succeeds Mark Bender who directed St. Paul’s Adult Choir for 29 years.


    Dr. Mark Bender, Minister of Music, adds these words of commendation: “Matt has been blessed with extraordinary musical gifts. Daily he hones the skills that make him a first-class musician. Moreover, he is a student of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions. He understands and upholds worship in the Lutheran tradition. He is a man of prayer. Centered in Word and Sacraments, the divine service is a place of refreshment and reinvigoration for him.


    “Matt has a pleasant and winsome personality. He works well with people. He has endeared himself to many members of our congregation and to many of the students in our school. He has the confidence and respect of our pastors, teachers, staff, and parish leadership.

    “Challenges are upon us. The landscape for corporate worship and choral involve

    ment has changed. However, the future isn’t uncertain. Christ promised His disciples, and us, ‘I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ It is with faith-imbued confidence that Matt will lead.”

  • "UPLIFTING VOICES" CHILDREN'S CHOIR

    ON HIATUS DUE TO CORONAVIRUS MEASURES

    Practices: Wednesdays, 7:15-8:00 p.m.

    Contact: Sara Lehmann by email


    All second to eighth grade youth are invited to share the gift of music and God’s Word with St. Paul’s homebound members.


    The youth will be ministering to people that need to have their spirits lifted, their faith strengthened, and hope and joy in the Lord restored.


    Rehearsals for Uplifting Voices continue on Wednesdays evenings; please meet in the parkside narthex (east). 

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 Minister of Music, Mark Bender, or Associate Minister of Music, Matt Gerhardt, or those listed as directors below: Worship Team Director, Whitney Wade, and Handbells Director, Carol Petering.


Adult Choir   Director: Matt Gerhardt

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

Men’s Choir  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

Women’s Choir  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

Adult Handbell Choir  Director: Carol Petering

  • Men and women, high school to adult
  • Some prior music reading ability required
  • Rehearsals: Church balcony, Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m., late August through May

Women’s Handbell Choir   Director: Carol Petering

  • Adult women
  • Some prior music reading ability required
  • Rehearsals: Church balcony, Thursdays, 3:00-4:30 p.m., late August through May

Instrumentalists   Director: Mark Bender

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

Worship Team   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