Music at St. Matthias Episcopal Church
A Place Where Every Voice Matters
At St. Matthias, music is not a performance to watch—it is a shared prayer to enter into. Whether the sound comes from the organ, a solo instrument, the whole congregation, or the choir, our music is offered to God and meant to draw all present into reflection, worship, and deeper connection with the sacred.
Our congregation is a joyful tapestry of local members and seasonal visitors from across the country and around the world. Some come every Sunday; others return a few times a year. Many are drawn to the Northwoods to relax, explore, and discover new experiences. Here, music invites you not to spectate, but to participate—through singing, listening with the heart, and joining in the flow of prayer.
A Musical Welcome for All
We recognize that many have been hurt or excluded by other faith traditions—whether Catholic, Baptist, Evangelical, or otherwise. At St. Matthias, we stand firmly in the Episcopal Church’s commitment to inclusion and welcome. Here, your voice, your presence, and your story matter.
Our music ministry is open to:
• Professional musicians seeking a place where artistry serves worship.
• Enthusiastic amateurs eager to offer their voices and instruments as prayer.
• Seasonal visitors who may join us for a single Sunday or a special service.
• Those new to church music, ready to explore this spiritual language for the first time.
If you have ever been told you do not belong, know that this is a place where you do.
Our Sound: Diverse, Prayerful, and Rooted
From ancient Anglican chant to gospel and spirituals, from classical hymnody to contemporary worship songs, the music of St. Matthias reflects the wide breadth of the Episcopal and Anglican heritage.
We intentionally draw on:
• Traditional hymns-sung with all their verses, because every line tells the story.
• Contemporary worship songs that speak to today’s faith journey.
• Global sacred music, celebrating the church’s worldwide reach.
• Instrumental and vocal offerings that open space for prayerful reflection.
Our Instruments
St. Matthias is blessed with two remarkable instruments that help lead our worship:
• Our pipe organ—a beloved and versatile instrument that supports congregational singing, offers beautiful solo literature, and enriches major feast days. (Learn more about our organ here on its dedicated page.)
• A baby grand Yamaha piano, generously donated to the church specifically for use in worship. Its warm tone and expressive range make it ideal for both congregational song and special musical offerings.
These gifts are not for show—they are tools for prayer, helping us lift our voices and hearts together in praise.
The Choir at St. Matthias
Our choir is not a performance group—it is a prayerful ministry. When the choir sings, it does so to help the whole congregation lift their hearts to God, not to entertain.
The choir does not sing every Sunday. Instead, it offers music for major feast days and important moments in our church year—such as Christmas Eve, Easter Sunday, and other special occasions. This allows our singers to prepare deeply, so that their offerings are both beautiful and spiritually meaningful.
We welcome singers—whether local or seasonal—who feel called to serve in this way. No formal audition is required; the main requirement is a desire to contribute to worship through music and to join with others in prayerful preparation.
Music as Ministry
Our music team—led by organist and music minister George Ackerman-Behr—works with clergy to choose music that complements the readings, prayers, and themes of each service. Music here does not dominate worship; it is woven into it, creating a seamless flow from word to song to silence.
Special seasons like Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter bring opportunities for major choral works, Lessons & Carols, and community concerts—each approached as an extension of worship and an invitation to encounter the Holy.
Why St. Matthias Music Feels Different
Visitors often tell us our music feels alive—not because it dazzles, but because it connects. We honor the richness of the past, but we do not cling to it as if it were the only way forward. We believe God’s Spirit is still moving, inspiring new songs, and calling us to sing in ways that meet today’s hearts.
Come, Listen, Sing, Pray.
Whether you arrive as a listener or a participant, you’ll find a space where music is art and prayer, where community is formed through shared song, and where you are truly welcome.
For more information about participating in our music ministry or attending special musical services, please contact the church office.
A Place Where Every Voice Matters
At St. Matthias, music is not a performance to watch—it is a shared prayer to enter into. Whether the sound comes from the organ, a solo instrument, the whole congregation, or the choir, our music is offered to God and meant to draw all present into reflection, worship, and deeper connection with the sacred.
Our congregation is a joyful tapestry of local members and seasonal visitors from across the country and around the world. Some come every Sunday; others return a few times a year. Many are drawn to the Northwoods to relax, explore, and discover new experiences. Here, music invites you not to spectate, but to participate—through singing, listening with the heart, and joining in the flow of prayer.
A Musical Welcome for All
We recognize that many have been hurt or excluded by other faith traditions—whether Catholic, Baptist, Evangelical, or otherwise. At St. Matthias, we stand firmly in the Episcopal Church’s commitment to inclusion and welcome. Here, your voice, your presence, and your story matter.
Our music ministry is open to:
• Professional musicians seeking a place where artistry serves worship.
• Enthusiastic amateurs eager to offer their voices and instruments as prayer.
• Seasonal visitors who may join us for a single Sunday or a special service.
• Those new to church music, ready to explore this spiritual language for the first time.
If you have ever been told you do not belong, know that this is a place where you do.
Our Sound: Diverse, Prayerful, and Rooted
From ancient Anglican chant to gospel and spirituals, from classical hymnody to contemporary worship songs, the music of St. Matthias reflects the wide breadth of the Episcopal and Anglican heritage.
We intentionally draw on:
• Traditional hymns-sung with all their verses, because every line tells the story.
• Contemporary worship songs that speak to today’s faith journey.
• Global sacred music, celebrating the church’s worldwide reach.
• Instrumental and vocal offerings that open space for prayerful reflection.
Our Instruments
St. Matthias is blessed with two remarkable instruments that help lead our worship:
• Our pipe organ—a beloved and versatile instrument that supports congregational singing, offers beautiful solo literature, and enriches major feast days. (Learn more about our organ here on its dedicated page.)
• A baby grand Yamaha piano, generously donated to the church specifically for use in worship. Its warm tone and expressive range make it ideal for both congregational song and special musical offerings.
These gifts are not for show—they are tools for prayer, helping us lift our voices and hearts together in praise.
The Choir at St. Matthias
Our choir is not a performance group—it is a prayerful ministry. When the choir sings, it does so to help the whole congregation lift their hearts to God, not to entertain.
The choir does not sing every Sunday. Instead, it offers music for major feast days and important moments in our church year—such as Christmas Eve, Easter Sunday, and other special occasions. This allows our singers to prepare deeply, so that their offerings are both beautiful and spiritually meaningful.
We welcome singers—whether local or seasonal—who feel called to serve in this way. No formal audition is required; the main requirement is a desire to contribute to worship through music and to join with others in prayerful preparation.
Music as Ministry
Our music team—led by organist and music minister George Ackerman-Behr—works with clergy to choose music that complements the readings, prayers, and themes of each service. Music here does not dominate worship; it is woven into it, creating a seamless flow from word to song to silence.
Special seasons like Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter bring opportunities for major choral works, Lessons & Carols, and community concerts—each approached as an extension of worship and an invitation to encounter the Holy.
Why St. Matthias Music Feels Different
Visitors often tell us our music feels alive—not because it dazzles, but because it connects. We honor the richness of the past, but we do not cling to it as if it were the only way forward. We believe God’s Spirit is still moving, inspiring new songs, and calling us to sing in ways that meet today’s hearts.
Come, Listen, Sing, Pray.
Whether you arrive as a listener or a participant, you’ll find a space where music is art and prayer, where community is formed through shared song, and where you are truly welcome.
For more information about participating in our music ministry or attending special musical services, please contact the church office.
“The pace of my spiritual journey picked up in midlife upon joining the Episcopal Church and its inclusive community. Within this new religious relationship I rediscovered an element from my early religious experience, which has become an essential part of my spirituality – the profound musical heritage of the Christian church. My spiritual journey, while still filled with more questions than answers, follows a firmer and more serene path since joining the St. Matthias’ community in the late 90’s. St. Matthias’ has nurtured my spirituality in ways which have allowed me to see and understand the simplicity and beauty of Christianity.”
– Roger Ganschow
