Music is Ministry

Orchestra

The Orchestra at St. John’s is a community of believers following the Lord’s call to help lead worship in the form of instrumental music and sometimes collaborating with the Choir. The orchestra also creates smaller groups that perform during services as a soloist or chamber group. The music ranges from contemporary to classics. The Orchestra is always looking for more instrumentalists to join in creating music.

Choir

The Choir at St. John’s is a community of believers following the Lord’s call to help lead worship in the form of vocal music and sometimes collaborating with the Orchestra. The music ranges from contemporary to classics. The Choir is always looking for more voices.

Want to get involved?

If you want to get involved in music at St. John's by joining the choir, participating in the Childrens' Christmas musical, playing in the orchestra, please reach out. There are always opportunities for solos and ensembles, whether vocal or instrumental.

Choir/Orchestra Director

Susan Laski

Susan moved to Lexington in 1993 and started attending St. John’s in the fall. She was raised in a Lutheran church where both of her parents sang in the adult choir. As soon as her and her brothers were old enough, they sang in the choir too. “Most parents would tell their kids ‘No reading at the table,’ but in our household, it was ‘No singing at the table!’” She continued her love of music by attending Florida State University and receiving a Bachelor of Music Education degree.

"What I love about church music is how it can connect a person to God through the lyrics and also through the melody and the accompanying arrangement. This is evident when you listen to instrumental music. There are no lyrics to inspire you; it is simply the music."

Susan started out as a choir member at St. John's, but after a vacancy opened up she stepped into the director role. She also directs the orchestra. "When you have fine musicians as I have here, that job is easy!" Susan is also responsible for the Youth Christmas musical. "Helping children witness in this way is a gift I don't take lightly." She also serves in our preschool teaching music weekly.

Susan is married to Gary, and has four children and five grandchildren, all of whom live here in Lexington. She loves to garden and spend time with her family.

Organ

Bette Stanek

Bette moved to Kentucky from Illinois in late 1999 and joined St. John’s Lutheran in early 2000. She became one of the organists shortly after joining the congregation and served as the Director of Music for four years. Prior to coming to St. John’s, she served as Minister of Music at Hope Lutheran Church in Shorewood, IL, for 15 years.

Bette received a degree in Liturgical Music from the University of St. Francis, Joliet, IL, in 1985 and continued her music education through master classes at Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN. After moving to Kentucky, she earned a Master’s of Education in Special Education and taught 7/8 grade for 16 years in Scott County Schools. She retired from teaching in June, 2023.

Bette and her husband, Roger, live in Sadieville, KY. They have two children, Jori Smith (Clint) who lives in Sewanee, TN and David Stanek, who is a business owner in Richmond, KY. They have two grandchildren, Eleanor and Lillian Smith.

Questions about music at St. John's?