A New Chapter for Worship at LSTC: Changes in the Chapel Program for Fall

This fall brings exciting changes to the worship life at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC), offering a rich and dynamic spiritual experience for students, faculty, and the wider community. At the heart of these changes is a shift in leadership, as Christian Scharen steps into the role of Director of the Chapel, succeeding the Rev. Erik Christensen, who has thoughtfully led the chapel program for the past seven years.

As we look toward the fall, worship at LSTC will maintain familiar rhythms while embracing new opportunities for engagement and reflection. Regular Monday and Wednesday services will continue to serve as the backbone of LSTC’s spiritual life. Monday services, modeled on ancient patterns of daily prayer, will feature student preaching from the Intro to Preaching course in the fall and Intro to Liturgy course in the spring, creating a space for emerging voices to share the Word. These services will include scripture, song, silence, prayer, and a brief homily, all within a 30-minute timeframe.

Wednesday services, centered around Holy Communion, will provide a space for senior students, faculty, and guest preachers to preside and share in leading worship. These services will last about an hour and offer an opportunity for deeper reflection, fellowship, and engagement with the sacred.

For those looking for a more intimate and interactive experience, every other Wednesday evening will feature Dinner Church. Held in the Life Together Space in the student housing, this service provides a unique opportunity to gather around the table for worship and a shared meal, fostering community through conversation, prayer, and music.

This fall also sees the introduction of a monthly off-campus worship event, “Pray & Break Bread.” On select Fridays, participants will venture into Chicago neighborhoods and ministry sites for learning, prayer, and fellowship. The first outing, held in conjunction with the Center for Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice, will visit the American Islamic College, offering an opportunity for interfaith dialogue and reflection.

The diverse liturgical forms, musical traditions, and cultural heritages incorporated into LSTC’s worship services will honor the unique identities and backgrounds of the community, celebrating the richness of various traditions.

Supporting these services is a talented and dedicated chapel staff. Christian Scharen leads as the Director of the Chapel, while Keith “Doc” Hampton continues to serve as the Cantor to the Community. Immanuel P. Karunakaran, Senior Assistant to the Director of Chapel, will oversee the day-to-day operations of the chapel program, with Venesia Hutabarat assisting primarily with Wednesday services and Dinner Church. Jan Frando Purba will serve as Sacristan, ensuring the sacred elements of worship are prepared with care.

The LSTC chapel team invites all members of the community to engage with the chapel program this fall, whether by attending services, sharing their gifts of music or leadership, or participating in special events. As always, the aim is to foster a deep sense of connection, community, and spiritual growth. This fall’s worship offerings promise to be an enriching experience, grounded in tradition yet open to innovation and collaboration.

For more information on the schedule of services or to get involved, contact the chapel staff. All are welcome at LSTC’s chapel—where the community gathers to worship, reflect, and grow together.