J. Gordon Christensen returning for Sunday organ recital at Zion

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    In the ongoing 100th anniversary celebration at Zion Lutheran Church in Imperial, former church member and school teacher Dr. J. Gordon Christensen will perform  an organ recital this Sunday at 3 p.m. at the church.
    Dr. C was the head organist, director of music, choir director and bell choir director at Zion from 1968 to 2009. He was also an elementary vocal music teacher those years in the Imperial Grade School system.  
    A reception will follow Sunday’s concert. The public is invited.
    A birthday party will also be held for Dr. C at Broken Arrow Cellars in Imperial this Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. Cake and refreshments will be provided, and the public is invited.
    Dr. Christensen is the Director of Music at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He is also the Head Organist at St. Paul’s and the Lead Teacher of St. Paul’s Music Conservatory.
    He directs St. Paul’s Cantata Domino Choir (children’s choir), St. Paul’s English Hand Bell Choir, is accompanist for St. Paul’s Gloria Dei Choir (adult choir) and teaches music on Wednesday night’s Christ Academy.
    He also teaches music at St. Paul’s Lutheran Early Childhood Center, teaching children ranging in age from infants to five.
    He maintains a full piano/organ studio for St. Paul’s Music Conservatory.
    He is also an active member of the Omaha Chapter of the American Guild of Organist, where he has held the position of Dean for an unprecedented third term.
    One of his organ students, a 12-year-old from Manning, Iowa, has earned his Service Playing Certificate through the American Guild of Organists, and is the youngest person in the Guild history to ever earn the  certificate.
    In addition, Dr. Christensen does volunteer work weekly at several Council Bluffs nursing homes.
    His art collection continues to grow and he shares the paintings with St. Paul’s and Pinnacle Bank in Imperial. He continues to entertain at his home in Council Bluffs, which has a hospitality suite in the lower level. The suite receives guests for St. Paul’s and personal friends.
    In his spare time, Christensen enjoys local organ recitals, symphony concerts and antiquing.

 

The Imperial Republican

308-882-4453 (Phone)

622 Broadway St

PO Box 727

Imperial, NE 69033