"“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” "
Ephesians 5:19-20

Music has always been an important part of worship at LaGrave Church. At LaGrave Church, we acknowledge that music is a God-given gift that uplifts and edifies the worshipper. The music included in our worship is never a “performance,” but rather, is a gift given back to God out of gratitude for his gift to us. When the gift is returned to God, he is honored and glorified as the Lord of our lives. Part of our church’s vision and goals statement reads, “LaGrave will strive to be a worshipping community committed to maintaining a tradition of formal worship which integrates articulate and intelligent preaching of God’s Word with music that glorifies God and inspires worshippers.” It is our goal that “God will be glorified by our worship and worshippers will be inspired to increased devotion to God and strengthened in their desire to serve in his kingdom.”

God has abundantly gifted many members of our congregation with musical ability and we regularly invite new members to share their gifts by joining our music ministry. Our extensive music ministry includes choral and handbell ensembles for all ages from young children to adults. The LaGrave organ, installed in 1996, is a 108-rank Austin-Allen five manual instrument of world class. Although it is the principal instrument used in worship, it is equally spectacular as a concert instrument. In addition to this marvelous instrument, we also regularly use piano, timpani, and several solo instrumentalists in worship services.

Our music ministry staff includes Dr. Larry Visser, Minister of Music and Organist, Merle Mustert, Chancel Choir Director, Marcia Pylman, Junior Choir Director, Bill VanEe, Youth Ensemble Director, and Stephanie Wiltse, Director of Handbell Choirs. To learn more about each of these individual ensembles, please click on the Ministries Menu under Music.

From week to week, music calls us to worship, leads us in praise, and sends us out into the world strengthened and equipped for service. “How often, making music, we have found a new dimension in the world of sound, as worship moved us to a more profound Alleluia!” (Fred Pratt Green, “When in Our Music God Is Glorified”).