Musical energy and talent a highlight at the National Worship Conference

The following summary of the recent WELS National Festival for Worship, Music, and the Arts, held July 31–Aug. 2, in Kenosha, Wis., was written by Rev. Bryan Gerlach. He has served as the director of the WELS Commission on Worship since 1996 and was involved in the development of the new WELS hymnal. He will be retiring this month. He has provided steady and solid leadership in the area of worship, emphasizing the importance of worship that is Christ-centered, focused on law and gospel, and retains the principles of faithful Lutheran worship while incorporating variety and freshness in the liturgies and hymns used in our congregations. We thank God for this gift to his church, and we thank him for his faithful service. —WELS President Mark Schroeder

After a seven-year hiatus, rather than the three-year pattern that began in 1996, it’s not surprising that this year’s conference unleashed a lot of musical energy and talent. One first-time attendee said, “I had heard it would be awesome, but it far exceeded my expectations.” Some regular past attendees said “best ever” about the caliber of the orchestra . . . and the superb cafeteria menu choices.

The conference theme was “Sing to the Lord a New Song.” While the song of the gospel is always new, this conference made extensive use of new songs from the 2021 WELS hymnal suite and beyond, accompanied by a wide variety of instruments in different styles.

Those who couldn’t attend can still enjoy concerts and services at welsworshipconference.net/media. This link also includes service folders, some presentation handouts, and photos. While the impact from these videos isn’t the same as being present with 1,000 people (like a photo of the Grand Canyon can’t compete with standing at the rim), viewers can still enjoy these events. Here are some “not to miss” items:

• Festival concert: Don’t miss the thrilling final movement of Saint Saens’ “Organ Symphony” and excellent choral music from a 115-voice choir.
• Plenary address: Jonathan Bauer presented “Lutheran Worship: What Now?” In a context of rapid change, Bauer demonstrates how, as we, confessional Lutherans, are fully equipped to answer this crucial question. It’s available in both video and print.
• Morning “Alive in Christ” sermons: Hear sermons by Prof. Aaron Christie (Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary), President Richard Gurgel (Martin Luther College), and President em. Paul Wendland (Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary).
• Closing concert: A rendition of “Amazing Grace” starts with a whisper from the children’s choir (50 voices singing with beautiful tone) accompanied by harp, handbells, and flute. It keeps building until the last stanza, a sonic roar from 1,200 people, full orchestra with lots of percussion, and a kilt-clad bagpiper. (The hymn begins at 1:15 in the video)

The conference wasn’t only for musicians and pastors. Non-musical laypeople from congregations of all sizes selected from many presentation topics. A first-time non-musical attendee said, “My wife twisted my arm to come, but I won’t miss another!”

View all the materials and presentations online.

Note: This conference marked the retirement of Rev. Bryan Gerlach, who has helped plan all nine worship conferences. Conference planning committee chair Rev. Jon Zabell presented Gerlach with a collection of organ music commissioned in thanks to God for his years of service. Gerlach said, “This conference has been quite the going away party. But, seriously, these conferences have been a highlight of my ministry.”

Attendees share their edifying experiences at the 2024 WELS National Conference on Worship, Music, and the Arts