LCMS Worship Institute

About LCMS Worship Institute

The Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music is a multiday worship conference, presented by LCMS Worship, designed for musicians, pastors, teachers, artists, and Christians of all vocations engaged in the unique sphere of Lutheran worship. Thoughtful speakers draw us into the Scriptures and their proclamation. A barrage of presentations and workshops on wide ranging topics, some fresh, some perennial, help us grow in knowledge and hone our craft. Above all, we experience the inestimable value of gathering with fellow Christians for inspiring, Christ-centered worship, proclaiming the Gospel in Word and song. This podcast brings home selected recordings of the presentations, workshops and services from LCMS Worship Institutes so the Church can get a taste of the experience, benefit from excellent teaching and look forward to future Institutes. The Worship Institute gives a glimpse of what we don’t see: the One, holy, catholic and apostolic congregation that can’t fit into a single balcony or church. That vision always inspires us, and the Word of God in all its richness prompts us to bring our excellence and our effort to bear. We do it for the sake of the increase of faith and love which His Word bestows. But God’s Mission is where you live and work with your people. It happens when you invite a child to sit on the organ bench next to you, when you help the short boy reach the taper to the tall candle, when you show a young child how to fold the linen, when your preaching is directed at hearts that are known, by the bedside and in the pulpit, and whenever you gather to sing. That’s where the Word of Christ dwells richly among you as you teach and admonish one another, singing songs and hymns and spiritual songs.

Publisher

KFUO Radio

Category

religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

9 Jul 2025

Latest episode

22 Aug 2025

Latest episodes

23 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   22 Aug 2025

   S1Ep22. The Propers and the Psalter – Jonathan Wessler

   The Propers draw deep theological connections in the hearts and minds of the faithful. By placing individual verses from the Psalter into a liturgical context, the Propers enhance the liturgy with profound commentary on the readings. The relatively lengthy historic Gregorian chant melodies facilitate this contemplation, as they stretch out the Proper texts to provide adequate space for meditation. The complete role and function of the Propers is under-appreciated by many Lutheran pastors, musicians and parishioners, and all will benefit from a deep dive into the purpose of these texts and melodies. Bio: Jonathan Wessler serves as the kantor at the First Lutheran Church of Boston. He holds degrees in organ performance and sacred music from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the University of Notre Dame and the Eastman School of Music, and is a member of the Lutheran Missal Project’s editorial committee. He conducts research in liturgy, sacred music and the Lutheran use of Gregorian chant. This session recording is from the 2024 LCMS Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music held July 9–12, 2024 in Seward, Neb. For more information on the Institute, please visit https://resources.lcms.org/worship-planning/2024-institute-on-liturgy-preaching-and-church-music-resources. Morning Prayer Venite from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission. Setting by Paul Soulek. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) Worship ministry aims to nurture a culture of confessional faithfulness, artistic excellence and integrity in the presentation, distribution and reception of God’s life-giving gifts in Word and Sacraments. This ministry seeks to develop and deepen an understanding and love for the Lutheran heritage in Christian worship, and promotes the Lutheran Service Book as the core worship resource for the LCMS while also identifying and encouraging the many musical treasures and gifts that the Holy Spirit continues to pour upon the church. For more information: lcms.org/worship/institutes; lcms.org/worship. Learn more about LCMS National Mission lcms.org/nationalmission. Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

2. 

   22 Aug 2025

   S1Ep21. Improving Church Choir Tone: A Marathon, Not a Sprint – Kurt von Kampen

   Improving the quality of singing doesn’t happen overnight. This session will give practical and simple techniques that should, over time, improve the sound of your church choir. Basic concepts of breathing, support, projection, balance and tone will be addressed. Bio: Kurt von Kampen is the fourth conductor in the 87-year history of the University A Cappella Choir at Concordia University, Nebraska (CUNE), Seward, Neb. He previously served as head of the choral program at Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA), Ann Arbor, Mich., and as director of music at Lutheran high schools in the Detroit area. Von Kampen holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from CUNE, a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Oakland University and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Music from the University of Nebraska. In 2007, von Kampen received Concordia’s Outstanding Teacher Award and in November 2012 was named the Nebraska Choral Directors Association Outstanding Choral Director of the Year. This session recording is from the 2024 LCMS Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music held July 9–12, 2024 in Seward, Neb. For more information on the Institute, please visit https://resources.lcms.org/worship-planning/2024-institute-on-liturgy-preaching-and-church-music-resources. Morning Prayer Venite from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission. Setting by Paul Soulek. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) Worship ministry aims to nurture a culture of confessional faithfulness, artistic excellence and integrity in the presentation, distribution and reception of God’s life-giving gifts in Word and Sacraments. This ministry seeks to develop and deepen an understanding and love for the Lutheran heritage in Christian worship, and promotes the Lutheran Service Book as the core worship resource for the LCMS while also identifying and encouraging the many musical treasures and gifts that the Holy Spirit continues to pour upon the church. For more information: lcms.org/worship/institutes; lcms.org/worship. Learn more about LCMS National Mission lcms.org/nationalmission. Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

3. 

   22 Aug 2025

   S1Ep20. Creating New Liturgical Music for the Divine Service: You Can Do It! – Kile Smith

   Join Grammy-nominated composer Kile Smith to look at introits, psalms, alleluias and canticles that he has composed for non-professionals to offer at weekly services. Designed to serve the musical resources of a cantor, a small to medium choir and the congregation, these settings provide flexible options for churches large and small. Attendees will have fun learning and singing through each setting and will discuss technical issues of text-setting, singability, practicality, and the more general issues of liturgical appropriateness, working with the pastor, meeting people where they are, and involving and uplifting them. Bio: The music of three-time Grammy-nominated composer Kile Smith is hailed internationally for its beauty and “profoundly direct emotional appeal.” He has composed anthems, hymns, sacred vocal and service music his entire career; many of his anthems are published. Four of Kile’s hymns were accepted into the new Anglican hymnal, Sing Unto the Lord. Professional, university, church and community choirs commission him; major works of his are heard throughout the U.S. and in Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand and Latvia. He and his wife — the singer, organist and conductor Jacqueline Smith — live outside Philadelphia. This session recording is from the 2024 LCMS Institute on Liturgy, Preaching and Church Music held July 9–12, 2024 in Seward, Neb. For more information on the Institute, please visit https://resources.lcms.org/worship-planning/2024-institute-on-liturgy-preaching-and-church-music-resources. Morning Prayer Venite from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission. Setting by Paul Soulek. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) Worship ministry aims to nurture a culture of confessional faithfulness, artistic excellence and integrity in the presentation, distribution and reception of God’s life-giving gifts in Word and Sacraments. This ministry seeks to develop and deepen an understanding and love for the Lutheran heritage in Christian worship, and promotes the Lutheran Service Book as the core worship resource for the LCMS while also identifying and encouraging the many musical treasures and gifts that the Holy Spirit continues to pour upon the church. For more information: lcms.org/worship/institutes; lcms.org/worship. Learn more about LCMS National Mission lcms.org/nationalmission. Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.

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