THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF A LIFE AS A
Parish Music Director
Part 1

Emily Woock, director of parish music at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elmhurst, Ill., since 2011, will be the first to admit that there is no typical day. “Every day is different, and that’s part of what I enjoy most about my job,” shared Woock.

Most weeks are a mix of prepping for and leading choir rehearsals, playing the organ for worship services, preparing the worship bulletin, meetings, practices and the inevitable administrative work.

Since Woock leads the early childhood music program at Redeemer and serves a sister congregation’s school – Immanuel Lutheran School in Elmhurst – there are also the added tasks of lesson planning, teaching, communicating with teachers and parents and other odds and ends.

“You just never know exactly what may come up in a week!” Woock added. “There are always random meetings that pop up, and sometimes I play for nursing home services or take choirs to share music there. Lately, I’ve had a few opportunities to present at conferences. Last spring, I went on tour as an organist with Kapelle from Concordia Chicago. It was enjoyable to be on a bus with college kids – many of whom are future church workers. Of course, the occasional wedding or funeral get thrown into a week from time to time.”

For better or worse, some days carry an understandable amount of stress and worry, especially considering how intertwined the life of a church worker can be with the lives of those they serve.

“I’m involved in the lives of my parishioners,” Woock explained. “I get to share in the joys of life but also some of the dark and hard parts. It is so difficult to see someone going through something terrible like cancer, divorce or losing a job, and not be able to fix it for them. I am honored to walk alongside them and pray for and with them, but I’m a fix-it kind of person and often feel helpless when tough situations come up.”

However, like all LCMS rostered church workers Woock knows and takes to heart the Gospel of our Lord. She works through her vocation to share that message with those she serves. She may be an expert steward of musical gifts in particular, but like all of the baptized, she is also a steward of every good gift of God, seeking to share those gifts with others and praying for them amidst all of life’s challenges.

“I know God is in control and that ultimately even horrible things like cancer don’t affect salvation, but it’s still hard to see people suffering in life,” said Woock. “It’s my job to be calm and reassuring in such situations, but there are times where I have pulled off the road or shut my office door or gone home and cried and prayed for a parishioner or family. I love my parishioners so much. Musicians are often sensitive people. Music is very personal.”

Still, Woock knows that, sometimes, the hits keep coming. Between recent funerals and illnesses in the congregation, Woock once again walks that fine line between calming the suffering and suffering along with the saints.

While Woock serves the people at Redeemer through music, the Church at large, including LCEF, serves faithful church workers like her through prayer and support. Please come alongside us as we lift up our church workers.