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First Congregational

United Church of Christ

... exploring the frontiers of faith in Jesus

Welcome to our New Music Staff!

Maggie Schatzberg is our new director of music. On her first Sunday with us, we were blessed by her singing of two powerful worship songs, one classical and one contemporary. Maggie graduated summa cum laude from Wartburg College with degrees in Church Music and Vocal Performance. She is beginning work on a master's degree this fall at the University of Northern Iowa. Maggie is a longtime member of Nazareth Lutheran Church and completed an internship there in church music leadership. She has good knowledge of both traditional and contemporary worship music and we look forward to the new energy and ideas she will bring to our music program. Maggie likes travel, reading, football, and soccer.

She writes: Music is such an important part of the worship experience because it has the power to slip through our defenses and touch our souls in ways that we frequently cannot explain or describe. Being a part of that is such an honor and a blessing. With God's help, I hope to facilitate a fulfilling, Christ-centered experience for our musicians and our congregation.

Miah Han is our new church organist. We have already been enthralled with her wonderful musicianship! Miah comes to Waterloo from South Korea via Michigan where she served churches along with her husband, Taemin Han, for the last eleven years. Taemin is currently serving as Director of Music at Westminster Presbyterian in Waterloo. Miah has a bachelor's degree in piano performance and a master's degree in organ performance and is a member of the American Guild of Organists. We look forward to hearing Miah's music and to being enriched by her Christian faith as she expresses it through music and through her life. Miah enjoys walking, gardening, and watching movies.

She says of her work: My goal as an organist is to glorify God and serve His people with one of His most precious gifts, music. I believe that music in an indispensable part of worship and feel honored to serve as a church musician.

Music is a fair and glorious gift of God

At First Congregational United Church of Christ, WE LIKE MUSIC!

Musical notes

We like classical music ... we like contemporary Christian music.
We like traditional hymns ... we like praise songs.
We like organ ... we like guitar and drums.
We like majestic anthems ... we like soulful spirituals.
We like music that sings ... we like music that swings.
We like violins and flutes and oboes and trumpets and bongos and castanettes and bells and chimes ...

We like music, good music, all kinds of good music ... and we include a variety of music in each worship service. The object is praise, but praise speaks many languages, and we do not want to limit ourselves to one language!

We have intentionally chosen not to offer different worship services with different styles -- traditional, contemporary, Gen X, etc. -- because we believe the family of God (the whole family of God!) belongs together. We need to listen to each other and learn from each other and serve each others' needs, not just our own.

Get to Know Our Section Leaders!

Eric Eichelberger
Eric Eichelberger, our bass section leader, is a junior at UNI majoring in vocal performance. He is a member of the George Walker Society and has also appeared in local musical theatre and opera.


Natalie Takes
Natalie Takes joins us as our soprano section leader. She is a sophomore at UNI and a member of both the UNI Opera Ensemble and UNI Singers. We have been delighted to have Natalie with us for a second year!


Jessica LiebJessica Lieb is our alto section leader. She is a senior at UNI majoring in music education. Jessica is an honor student and excels both in voice and choral conducting. She is also an excellent pianist.