The music ministry at St. John’s Lutheran Church strives to give people access to their heart language so that they might worship more fully. Music is used to convey theological truths and magnify God’s presence in worship.

  We use diverse styles of Christian music to generate or enhance worship. Each week the congregation is invited to worship through various musical mediums from very traditional to contemporary.

  A Celtic Worship Team leads hymns, songs and service music the first Sunday of every month for an 8:00 Meditative Communion Service. This is an opportunity for more advanced instrumentalists to use their God-given talents in a Celtic style.

  A Worship Team consisting of a Praise Band and a Vocal Praise Team leads praise and worship music blended with hymns at our 8:00 Services. Instrumentation includes keyboard, guitar, bass guitar and drums.

  Rehearsals for the Celtic Worship Team are once a month on Tuesdays at 7PM and the Praise Band are held once a month on Thurdays at 6:00 PM

  The Senior Choir is a group of 25 vocalists dedicated to serving their Lord through anthems, solos and small ensembles. The Senior Choir leads worship every week from September through June. Solos and small ensembles are used during the summer months. The Senior Choir’s repertoire includes music that ranges from traditional to contemporary Christian. We seek to reach people in their every day lives through fellowship, caring for one another and worship. The Senior Choir rehearses on Thursdays at 7:00 pm.

  Handbell Ministry

The Christ Alive Ringers, founded in September 2005, is a group of handbell enthusiasts dedicated to sacred music through the use of English Handbells. The group currently rings three octaves of Schulmerich Handbells and Handchimes. Music is presented during worship once a month. Rehearsals are held weekly on Mondays from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. The group, a member of AGEHR, would like to expand their knowledge of English Handbells by attending some area festivals that are offered.

The Jr. Handbell Choir, also founded in September 2006, invites youth grades three and higher to explore God’s music through English Handbells. Youth are taught the principles of interaction in a musical team along with the ability to read music and rhythms. Rehearsals are held on Tuesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 pm. The Jr. Handbell Choir generally presents music for the 10:30 worship service once a month.

The Drama Ministry at St. John’s uses visuals and the spoken word to convey Christ’s good news to our congregation. Contemporary and biblical sketches are used throughout the Church year during worship. Seasonal monologues and small sketches enhance worship during the Christmas, Lent and Easter Seasons.

Youth Worship Team and Drama Ministry

The TCB, Keep The Faith Worship Team openly welcomes any youth grade seven or older with an interest in Christian music. Instrumentalists including guitarists, drummers, keyboard players combine their talents as young Christians with the talents of young vocalists to inspire worship through Praise and Worship music. The teenage expression is encouraged in this setting. Christian values are explored and taught as we sift through our secular world in search of Christ. TCB meets on Mondays at 5:00 pm. All teens are welcome!

Youth Drama Ministry meets on Mondays from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. We explore the many ways to spread the word through acting. Beginning and advanced principles of drama are taught. We explore what it means to be a Christian in the teen years through sketches, improvisation, pantomime and reader’s theatres. Drama is presented throughout the church year in our worship services and through community outreach. The group recently presented the dinner theatre Meet Me At Luigi’s published by Lillenas Drama. All teens are welcome!

 Seasonal musicals combining our Music and Drama Ministries and orchestra are presented. Everyone is invited to participate in this expression of worship. 

  There is a musical expression for everyone at St. John’s. Our hope for each worshipper is that your heart will be renewed and nurtured as God speaks to you through the sounds and words of His music and drama.

   Minister of Music

Teresa A Kissling was born in Reading, Pa. and graduated from Conrad Weiser High School in 1978. She began private study of the piano and later the pipe organ in 1968 under the direction of Miriam Borkert. Teresa’s early vocal studies included lessons with Helen Smith, Steven Inners and Jonathan Reinhold. Beginning in 2004 Teresa has sought to further her abilities in Sacred Music through course work currently offered at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pa. Her studies have included voice instruction with Mrs. Victoria Rose and organ instruction with Dr. Shelly Moorman-Stahlman

Teresa served as Organist and Choir Director at St. Paul’s U.C.C. in Robesonia from 1984 to 1991. While serving at St. Paul’s she directed a Senior Choir, two children’s choirs and founded a four octave Handbell Choir. Teresa became a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in 1991 and began serving as Minister of Music in January 1996. Since then she has expanded the music ministries at St. John’s to include three worship teams and two handbell choirs. A Drama Ministry consisting of adult and youth teams are currently working under her direction.

Teresa A. Kissling is married to Timothy C. Kissling and has one son, Andrew. Teresa serves as the secretary/ treasurer for her husband’s business, Kissling Dairy Consulting, Inc. She is a member of the American Guild of Organists and currently serves on the Leadership Development Team for the Northeast Pa. Synod.

 
Organ music is played on our 1973 Schlicker Pipe Organ every Sunday at both the 8:00 and 10:15 Services. A wide range of selections from classical to contemporary are used during worship. Brass and strings enhance our worship during special seasons of the church year.

 If you have any interest in participating in any of our music ministries or the drama ministry please fill out an info form or contact Teresa

Phone: (610) 678-1088
Email: tkissling@stjohnss.org

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