Zion Lutheran Church

On Mondays  we have the Ablaze praise band leading worship. The last Monday of the month we have a toned down acoustic worship time. Here are a few live recordings of our worship band.

• "How Great is Our God!"
• "God of Wonders"
• "Signature of the Divine"
  

Also here is a brief background of the Ablaze Band members.

Randy Hitts  is  the worship leader and works closely with Pastor Kenny to put these Monday night services together. He also  plays bass, acoustic guitar and sings.

He has been playing professionally since 1975. He has recorded and toured with Michigan rock legends Question Mark & the Mysterians, and Michael Quatro. He also played numerous bar bands. These bands covered everything from rock’n’roll to country and blues.He started playing for the Lord in 1995 at Trinity Church in Lansing, MI.. Where he was part of the worship design team. He received training at Willow Creek Church in Chicago IL.

Andy Stefanic plays guitar and sings. He is a song writer and recording artist with several professionally produced CD out. His band plays regularly at the BIG TICKET FESTIVAL.

Jon Archambault (Pronounced "Are-Sham-Bo") - Lead Guitar, Slide Guitar

Good natured and always looking to share a laugh, Jon is an avid reader and he watches "way too many movies". He also happens to have a reputation as one of Michigan's premier blues guitar-slingers. While he has a blues-based guitar style all his own, he has been compared to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton by fans and media alike.  "SRV and Clapton?...I don't know, I'm humbled by all this. I don't think you should compare me to those legends. To say I'm influenced by them and many others is more accurate. Freddie King is probably my biggest blues influence, and Larry McCray is my favorite contemporary blues/rock guitarist. Larry's taking the music someplace new and I think that's what it's all about...that's what legends like B.B. and Muddy did. Speaking of great guitarists, have you heard my friend and musical partner Ray Smith? I love playing music with Ray, he blows my mind everytime I hear him"  Fans will remember Jon as the co-founder/songwriter, band leader and lead guitarist of "Mojo & the Boogieman". He has also appeared with several area blues acts such as, "The Amanda Waggener Band", "Doc Woodward", and frequently lends his talent to the "Bacon & Eggs Blues Band".  He currently plays in a band called Church Hill Drive.  http://www.churchilldrive.com

 Jim Marshall is the drummer/vocalist for Ablaze! He has been performing music of all genres since he was 12. Jim a local psychologist and owner of MasterCare Institute in Petoskey. After playing in rock n’ roll bands in the 70’s, Jim’s musical focus shifted to contemporary Christian Music, and Jazz, sitting in with various combos in Northern Michigan including the River Town Jazz Band of Alanson. “It’s a rush to play rock n’ roll again, especially when the lyrics bring people hope and deepen their faith.” Jim and his wife Linda attend New Life Anglican church in Petoskey.

Linda Marshall is a vocalist who has performed vocal music most her life beginning in School and church choirs and musicals. Linda sang as a member of the music team at Family of Christ Church in Petoskey for nearly 20 years.  Linda, wife of Jim Marshall, is the mother of two grown daughters and also works with MasterCare Institute as the office manager. Of her role with the band Ablaze, Linda said: “It’s a real privilege to help create great praise music for the whole community to enjoy. I hope 7:07 continues to grow in reaching out to those who are hungry spiritually.”

Jameson Thompson is pianist extraordinaire. Even though he is still attending Concord Academy he holds his own with this group experienced (old) musicians. Jameson is a classically trained pianist and organist who is part of the Zion Sunday organist team. He comes in on Monday Night and plays with the Ablaze Band too. We are very blessed to have this amazing young man playing with us.

Brenda Pugh plays the electric keyboard and sings. A gifted musician, who was a choir director at Burt Lake Church before becoming the full time organist for Sunday worship here at Zion. She brings a great deal of passion and love for our Lord to Monday Night Worship. We are blessed to have her part of this team.