Music has long been part of the services at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills. It is used to uplift and entertain congregation members on Sunday morning.

Last year a group of church members recognized that something was missing from their worship service. That missing something was “fresher, more contemporary music.”

Church member Dan LaRock, rural Hills, made it his priority to find individuals and groups interested in sharing special music during weekly services.

“We have great families who enjoy sharing fellowship but many of us were looking for a new way to connect during service.”

LaRock started bringing in people from other churches and backgrounds. They share their music as part of the service, in addition to traditional hymns.

“Many families at church wanted to find a way to bring in the music we grew up with, yet with a spiritual theme and a worship presence — to hear the music in a new way.”

Reuben Sinnema has performed and there are plans to bring in Keith Elbers, a jazz group and possibly the Hills-Beaver Creek drum line. 

LaRock hopes that it will eventually lead to Saturday evening concerts.

The church has featured music at least every other week but this month is packed with great voices and performers.

Last Sunday Jodi Ackerman was a featured soloist on the piano and this week the church welcomes a contestant from this season of the Fox reality series American Idol.

Audri Vargas, an 18-year-old singer from Sioux Falls, qualified to attend the Hollywood audition on the American Idol show. She was not selected to be part of the final 24 contestants who appeared on the live show but hopes to continue to pursue music.

As LaRock drove to work one morning, he heard an interview she was giving on the radio, along with an acoustic performance. 

During the interview Vargas mentioned she was the worship team leader at New Life Worship in Sioux Falls. LaRock called her and gave her a brief history of Bethlehem Lutheran before inviting her out to perform.

She was thrilled to share her music and volunteered to come, accompanied by members of her worship team from church.

She writes and performs her own music, including many inspirational songs, both Christian and secular. Many churches sing her most popular song, “Because You’re Love.”

She draws her inspiration from many areas, including the Bible.

Vargas received many singing awards while in high school and intends to make music her life.

She will perform during the service at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday.

The church’s commitment to music during service continues on April 4 when Dan LaRock will sing and play guitar and on April 18 when the Singing Boys of Sioux Falls will perform.