Category: Music

Christmas Traditions


The month of December is awash in traditions, all revolving around our preparation for and celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord. When and how do you decorate the house and the church? What foods must be part of your season and on your Christmas Day table? What family activities define the Christmas season for you?

We love our Christmas traditions, even if we are not sure sometimes how some of them got started.

There are three things that are part of our season that may have had their beginnings in the very first Christmas. On the Wednesday evenings in Advent this year, we will consider these traditions as we see Mary participate in them as recorded by St. Luke in his Gospel:

Letters
The focus of this first night (December 5) will be the custom of sending and receiving Christmas letters and announcements: a way of keeping in touch with those we know and love.

Mary, too, received an announcement as she prepared for the very first Christmas. This night, we will hear the glad tidings from the Angel about the reason for this season. In the language of the Church, it is call the Annunciation.

Visiting
The focus of this night (December 12) will be the custom of visiting during the holiday season, whether to family, friends, neighbors, or coworkers. Visiting is another way of remaining close to those we know and love, no matter how many miles may separate us.

Mary, too, visited family as she prepared for the very first Christmas. This night, we will hear of Mary’s visit to her relative, Elizabeth, and what we learn from it about the reason for this season. In the language of the Church, it is called the Visitation.

Singing
The focus of this night (December 19) will be singing and the way Christmas music enhances our celebration of the season.

Mary, too, sang out of her joy over the wonder of the very first Christmas. This night, we will ponder Mary’s Song and what it tells us about the reason for this season. In the language of the Church, it is called the Magnificat.

Pr. VanOsdol

New Choral and Handbell Director


Please welcome Mr. T. Dave Pugh to Immanuel Lutheran Church as Choral and Handbell Director.

Mr. T. Dave Pugh is a graduate of Central Michigan University where he earned both his Bachelor and Master of Music Degrees. He taught band, orchestra, and choir in Michigan for 24 years and in South Carolina for 3. While in college he served his church as the music leader and choir director. Dave has served musically in churches in Michigan for 24 years, including the LCMS denomination. Dave also enjoys teaching personal finance and has led Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University classes since 2006.  Dave is married to Anna Pugh and has 4 grown children and 3 step children.

When you see Dave, please give him a warm welcome and let him know how you can serve Immanuel with your vocal and musical talent. He can be reached by email in the contact form below or call the church office at 864-297-5815 to obtain his cell phone number.

[contact-form to=’[email protected], [email protected]’ subject=’Music Program Inquiry’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Comment’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]

A bell with the words now hiring handbell director.

Handbell Director Job Opening


Immanuel Lutheran Church & School

Simpsonville, South Carolina

Job Description: Handbell Director

Goal of the position:

Support a church music program that includes at least one offering of special music (vocal choir, handbells, instrumentalists, soloists, etc.) each Sunday from September-May.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  1. Direct a handbell choir in weekly rehearsals in preparation for participation in Sunday Services from September through May.
  2. Prepare the choir for participation in special Services throughout the Church Year, including: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday (as determined by consultation with Pastor, Organist and Choral Director).
  3. Recruit members to the choir, providing an atmosphere of community and musical learning.
  4. Cooperate with the Pastor, Organist and Choral Director to accomplish planning tasks and provide leadership to the music program.
  5. Perform these duties under the direct responsibility of the Board of Elders and in keeping with the congregation’s annual budget.

Skills and Qualifications:

  1. Experience in handbell conducting, knowledge of appropriate church music and ability to relate to others with good interpersonal skills required.
  2. Music degree and knowledge of the role of music in Lutheran worship preferred, but students and new graduates are invited to apply.

Compensation:

  1. Salary is negotiable and will be based on an expected number of hours per week (September-May) in preparation, rehearsal and performance.
  2. Compensation is paid on the 15th and last day of each month.
  3. Church musician continuing education will be reimbursed up to $250 annually.

Please copy and paste your cover letter and resume below to submit an inquiry about this position. You may be asked to email an electronic copy of your cover letter and resume once your inquiry is received. You may also contact the church office at 864-297-5815.

[contact-form to=’[email protected], [email protected]’ subject=’Handbell Director Job Inquiry’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Cover Letter’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Resume’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]

Now hiring choral director.

Choral Director Job Opening


Immanuel Lutheran Church & School
Simpsonville, South Carolina

Job description: Choral Director

Goal of the position:

Support a church music program that includes at least one offering of special music (vocal choir, handbells, instrumentalists, soloists, etc.) each Sunday from September-May.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Direct a vocal choir in weekly rehearsals in preparation for participation in Sunday Services from September through May.
2. Prepare the choir for participation in special Services throughout the Church Year, including: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday (as determined by consultation with Pastor, Organist and Handbell Director).
3. Recruit members to the choir, providing an atmosphere of community and musical learning.
4. Cooperate with the Pastor, Organist and Handbell Director to accomplish planning tasks and provide leadership to the music program.
5. Perform these duties under the direct responsibility of the Board of Elders and in keeping with the congregation’s annual budget.

Skills and Qualifications:

1. Experience in choral conducting, knowledge of appropriate church music and ability to relate to others with good interpersonal skills required.
2. Music degree and knowledge of the role of music in Lutheran worship preferred, but students and new graduates are invited to apply.

Compensation:

1. Salary is negotiable and will be based on an expected number of hours per week (September-May) in preparation, rehearsal and performance.
2. Compensation is paid on the 15th and last day of each month.
3. Church musician continuing education will be reimbursed up to $250 annually.

Please copy and paste your cover letter and resume below to submit an inquiry about this position. You may be asked to email an electronic copy of your cover letter and resume once your inquiry is received. You may also contact the church office at 864-297-5815.

[contact-form to=’[email protected], [email protected]’ subject=’Choral Director Job Inquiry’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Cover Letter’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Resume’ type=’textarea’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]