INSTRUMENTALISTS WANTED

With the retirement of Scott Diettert, and the semi-retirement of Elaine Stephens, Celebrate Grace is looking for instrumentalists to play with them. If you are an experienced, creative musician, we want to talk to you. Flexibility is key. Other members will be willing to move around depending on your level of proficiency. Please contact us at: admin@celebrategrace.com.

SCOTT ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE BAND

Scott Diettert, our long time leader, has announced that he will be retiring from the band for personal reasons. The band's long time guitarist, bassist, and vocalist has been a driving force for the past decade. Our leader since 2003, Scott has been instrumental in moving the band in many new directions. He will be missed.

The band held a meeting and decided to continue playing. The search for new instrumentalists will begin immediately.

From St. Luke's Heartbeat (October 2006)

Worship Team becomes “Celebrate Grace”

Over the past year or so, your worship team has been hard at work creating a CD of worship music. Of the twelve pieces on the project, ten are completely original with one adaptation and one traditional hymn. Many of the pieces have already been presented during worship at St. Luke, but there are several new pieces as well. The resulting CD, due for release in late October, begged for band name other than “St. Luke Worship Team.” “It doesn’t exactly flow off the tongue does it?” commented band leader Scott Diettert.

In search for a better name, over forty were considered. In the end “Celebrate Grace” was selected. “It makes the most sense,” said Janna Nicholson. “It is the title of one of our songs and it describes the tradition of our church and our ministry.”

The CD project idea was hatched during the 2005 Worship and Music retreat at Lutherhaven, and preparations began shortly afterwards. Twenty songs were considered at the start and were eventually pared down to a dozen. Rehearsals began in January and recording in April. Each individual came in over the following six months and overdubbed their parts. “I never knew the recording process was so involved,” said Perry Wise.

“For me it is amazing to watch the creative process and how everyone feeds off each other,” commented Tom Whalen, who acted as engineer on the project. “For example on one piece, “Shout Hallelujah,” we had a pretty boring song. Then Tom Wichman comes in and lays down a very traditional country vocal, Jim Scollard adds a guitar solo that would be the envy of Nashville, and Scott Diettert adds a funky bass line. In three recording sessions the piece is transformed into something that is fun and interesting.”

All the various band members have been involved. For Peggy Larson, who flew in from South Dakota to add her drumming skills, this has been a very special experience. Two Novembers ago she was at death’s door. “I am blessed to be a part of this,” she says. “Blessed to know each person, blessed to be making music, blessed beyond belief!”

In addition to those already mentioned, the entire band contributed to the effort. Newer band members Teresa Blankenship (violin) and Tyler Strom (keyboard) made significant contributions. Jack Strand stepped in and completed the drum work that Peggy was unable to complete. Elaine Stephens performed her magic on the piano; and Monica Zhang, Judy Ottoson, and Dale Fitch added their vocal talents to the mix. The result is an enjoyable mix of pop, Gospel, blues, Celtic and choral music. You can check out and order the CD at the band’s website: celebrategrace.com.

“There is hope that we can use the CD as a stepping stone to reach out to the broader community and expand our ministry,” said Tom Whalen. All profits will go towards either the band’s ministry or charity.

“We’ve been talking about reaching out for a few years now, this should help get us moving,” said Scott Diettert. “The council, staff and congregation here at St. Luke have been so supportive. We hope we can represent the church and our faith in a way that will make them proud.”

Celebrate Grace Makes Internet Station Playlist

Three of our songs have just been placed in the regular rotation at IndiePraise.com. IndiePraise is an internet Christian radio station offering "a variety of differant types of independent Christian and unsigned Christian artist selections from Pop, Rock, Rap, and Praise and Worship." Thanks to our friends at IndiePraise for picking us up.