​Click here to view the Grade Class Singing Schedule 2025-2026

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Why We Encourage Singing at West Portal Lutheran

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God’s grace and peace to all in Christ Jesus!

Especially to you, new parents and families of West Portal Lutheran - a wholehearted welcome. We
rejoice to have you with us and look forward to growing together with you in Christian love.
Whether you are new to the school year this year or have been around for a while, a question many
have is: Why do we encourage our students to sing in West Portal Lutheran’s worship services? By
now, you may have received the schedule for the year; if you have not, you will soon. We encourage
you to mark these Saturdays and Sundays in your calendars now. Beyond the worship service, you
can make these days special times for your families. Go out for lunch afterwards, play a board game,
spend time as a family; just a suggestion.

We encourage students of West Portal Lutheran School to sing for several reasons.

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• Singing provides opportunities to thank and praise God, and to proclaim His goodness to allwho hear. We find an example of this in Exodus 15, when God’s people sing, “Sing to the Lord,for He has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider He has thrown into the sea.” (Exodus15.21 ESV) Our theme this year is taken from a similar verse, Psalm 98:4, “Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things!”
   

• Singing provides opportunities for us to confess the good things God has done for us, as
  individuals. For example, King David sang in another psalm, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and
  forget not all His benefits, Who forgives all your iniquity.” (102:2-3)
   

• Singing helps to teach the Christian faith. God Himself encourages us in this when He said to
  Moses, “Write this song and teach it to the people.” (Deuteronomy 31:19) In the same psalm as before, King David said, “Let this [song] be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord.” St. Paul and St. Peter also cited Christian hymns in their letters.
   

• Singing, and music in general, helps to form well-rounded students. It engages the mind and the
  body and gives strength to our students as whole people.
   

• Singing is fun. As many of you do, I (Pastor Swenson) also have small children at home. When
  they are happy and having fun, they are often singing. Many adults, likewise, can be found
  humming or singing or whistling. God has given us the gift of music, also, for us to enjoy.
  We are so grateful for every West Portal family, new and old. The WPL community is a blessing from God and a true treasure. We encourage you, students and parents, to join your voices with us in song to our compassionate and loving God.

 

Yours in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Curtis Binz
Pastor Jacob Swenson