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Association of Lutheran Church Musicians

March 20, 2026 e-newsletter

Assembly/Congregational Song Contest Winners

We are pleased to announce the results of ALCM's 40th anniversary hymn contest. Sixty worthy submissions were received and reviewed, and the judges identified two winning entries: "O God of Music, Art, and Word" by Laurie Gauger-Hested (text) and Sarah Lambrecht (music); and "Though the Mountains Quake and Tremble" by Kate Bluett (text) and David Lee (music).

Both hymns area available for use by ALCM members through December 31, 2027.

Visit the hymn contest page to learn more about the composers and to download and use these two hymns.

Laurie Gauger-Hested is a writer based in Mankato, Minnesota. Her poetry and hymn texts have been set to music by a wide range of composers and published by GIA Publications, earthsongs, Faith Alive Christian Resources, Biedenbender Music Publishing, Sarah Lambrecht Music, Concordia Publishing House, and Northwestern Publishing House.

Sarah Lambrecht is a music educator and church musician with a passion for helping others grow through music and congregational song. As a composer, she writes tunes with accessibility in mind, crafting melodies that support the text and invite strong congregational singing. Her original hymn tunes appear in publications of Northwestern Publishing House. 

Kate Bluett is a poet and lyricist from north Texas, where she lives with her husband and two children. Her lyrics have been published by OCP and GIA, and she has written for the Porter's Gate Worship Project and Paul Zach, among other artists.

David Lee (b. 1956) was brought up in Didsbury, Manchester, England. His career has been in information technology service provision for higher education at Durham University, then in national and European science research. He now lives in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England.

Visit the hymn contest page to learn more about the composers and to download and use these two hymns.

In 2026, the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (ALCM) marks its 40th anniversary. For four decades, ALCM has fostered community, learning, and vocation among those who lead the church’s song. Through conferences, publications, and networks of support, the organization has accompanied Lutheran musicians in their work of shaping worship, nurturing congregational singing, and sustaining the musical life of the church.

To commemorate this milestone, CrossAccent invites submissions for a special anniversary issue reflecting on forty years of Lutheran church music leadership, practice, and community. Authors are encouraged to consider both the history and the future of Lutheran church music, and the role ALCM has played in nurturing this vocation.

Read more…

2027 Raabe Prize

Applications are now being accepted for the 2027 Raabe Prize for Excellence in Sacred Composition. The Raabe Prize is established to recognize a recent musical work that promotes and extends the practice of church music as it is informed and shaped by Lutheran theological insight and worship practices. The composition so recognized will have been written during the five-year period prior to the year in which the prize is awarded and should be representative of a larger body of work by the composer. Preference will be given to those compositions that grow out of the heart of Lutheran worship – the song of the assembly that enables all to lift their voices in prayer, praise, and proclamation as they gather around Word and Sacrament.

Submissions for the 2027 award must be received by October 1, 2026.

2027 Raabe Prize Description & Guidelines

Part Time Remote Position Available:

ALCM Education Coordinator

The Association of Lutheran Church Musicians is seeking a high achieving and collaborative part time employee to serve as the staff coordinator of ALCM’s Hearts, Hands, Voices local workshops, it’s even year national conferences and to provide support for ALCM projects. The individual will work with ALCM’s executive director and office staff as well as planning committees to ensure tasks related to ALCM’s educational programs are executed in a timely and high-quality manner. Essential qualifications: detail oriented; excellent written and verbal communication skills; successful project management and time management track record; proven ability to meet deadlines. Click here for a detailed task list. Exceptional candidates please email a cover letter and resume to jimrindelaub@alcm.org with “EDUCATION COORDINATOR APPLICATION” in the subject line. Interviewing has begun, so be sure to apply as soon as possible.

Direct Your 2025 Thrivent Choice $$$ by March 31!

Thrivent Choice Dollars allows eligible clients with membership to choose where Thrivent distributes a portion of its funding each year. A profound thank you to those of you who have designated ALCM to receive your Thrivent Choice dollars. Last year ALCM received $1,948 in Thrivent Choice dollars! Especially for those of you who still have 2025 dollars "in the pot," remember that March 31 is the last day to direct 2025 dollars to participating organizations. After March 31, the 2025 dollars go away and 2026 dollars start to accrue. Once again, many thanks to all who choose ALCM as a recipient of Choice Dollars!