Music Ministries

Our mission is to:

• Glorify God through the gift of music;
• Provide worship experiences in which people sense the presence of God;
• Foster spiritual growth and help kindlethe desire to know God more intimately;
• Provide outreach to the community.

In our ministry, we strive to:

• Invite, include and involve children and adults of all ages in active worship participation;
• Use a variety of liturgies, instruments and styles of music in worship;
• Make a connection between scripture readings, the theme of the day, and words of the hymns we sing;
• Provide the opportunity for children and adults to learn and grow through participation in Adult Choir, Handbell Choir, Sunday School music time, and Prime Time Music Time;
• Invite the community into our midst by offering special music events.
  
  
  Choir Directors
  
  Jean Nelson has served as the Coordinator of Music Ministries and Director of Children's Music at First Lutheran since August 2007.  She leads music time with children during Sunday School and Prime Time Wednesdays, directs the Children's Choir, and involves the children in singing and playing rhythm instruments for worship on a regular basis.  Jean is also a substitute organist/pianist for worship and welcomes any opportunity to play flute.  She earned her certification in Youth and Family Ministry from Wartburg Theological Seminary in 2006, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Valparaiso University and  a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
  
  The adult choir is directed by John Feken, who is also a member of the hand bell choir and serves as a substitute organist/pianist for First Lutheran and Waterman United Methodist Church.  As Director of the Indian Creek Music Department, since 1993, Mr. Feken has adjudicated solo and ensemble and organizational contests and, has taught fifth - twelfth grade band and sixth - twelfth grade choir.  He received his B.A from Millikin University in Decatur, IL and his M.Ed. from Aurora University, and is a member of the Illinois Music Educators Association and the American Choral Directors Association.