Sing For Joy

Sing For Joy Sacred Music and Commentary Radio Program produced at St. Olaf College Accomplished members of the St. College Pastor Bruce Benson is writer and host.

Heard by thousands of listeners over 150 communities nationwide, Sing For Joy has a simple mission: to provide music and commentary that will support the church in evangelism and worship. Through sacred choral music and thoughtful commentary, the program prepares listeners for worship and reinforces their worship experience. A defining trait of Sing For Joy is basing each week's music on the scrip

tural lessons specified in the common lectionary. This three-year cycle of readings has become the basis for worship in the services that a majority of churchgoers in America attend. The musical performances eloquently "do the talking," while the host's concise comments illuminate the meaning of the texts. Olaf College community share chief responsibility for Sing For Joy's content. Professor of Music John Ferguson and Producer and Music Director Jeff O'Donnell oversee the selection of music. Together, this team continues the tradition and mission of Sing For Joy first established over 50 years ago.

The SFJ team is excited for Rev. Alexandra Jacob as she adds this new role to her ministry work!
09/10/2025

The SFJ team is excited for Rev. Alexandra Jacob as she adds this new role to her ministry work!

Welcome Rev. Alexandra Mauney Jacob as TCAGO Chaplain!

While we give thanks to John Setterlund for his dedication and years of service as our TCAGO Chaplain (more on this soon); we are delighted to welcome Rev. Alexandra Mauney Jacob as the new Chaplain of the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Alexandra brings a rich blend of musical excellence and pastoral care to our community, with deep roots in church music and organ performance, and a vibrant ministry at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis. Her passion for sacred music, thoughtful leadership, and joyful spirit will be a gift to our chapter. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Alexandra as she begins this meaningful role among us!

BIOGRAPHY

Rev. Alexandra Jacob serves as the Associate Pastor for Families, Youth, and Children at Westminster Presbyterian Church in downtown Minneapolis. Alexandra holds a Bachelor of Music degree, summa cm laude, in Church Music and Organ Performance from St. Olaf College, where she studied with Dr. Catherine Rodland; and a Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary. In addition to her ministry at Westminster, Alexandra is the Program Host for Sing For Joy, a lectionary-based choral music radio show produced at St. Olaf College. Alexandra and her husband Andy (a professional organist himself!) enjoy living in Richfield and spending time outdoors and at breweries around the Twin Cities.

Rev. Alexandra Mauney Jacob (she/her)
Associate Pastor for Families, Youth, & Children
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis
1200 Marquette Ave. S
Minneapolis, MN, 55403
[email protected]

Begin the season grounded in grace — Psalm 1 comes alive in music on Sing For Joy, Sep 7. This week’s playlist includes ...
09/05/2025

Begin the season grounded in grace — Psalm 1 comes alive in music on Sing For Joy, Sep 7. This week’s playlist includes and more!
Link in profile to listen 👂🏻 🎵

For Rev. Alexandra Jacob’s reflection on Psalm 1 and redwood trees, check out the September newsletter.

https://www.stolaf.edu/singforjoy/listen/2025-09-07

As a new school year begins, Sing For Joy turns to Psalm 1—a reminder to stay rooted in God’s grace, "like trees planted...
09/03/2025

As a new school year begins, Sing For Joy turns to Psalm 1—a reminder to stay rooted in God’s grace, "like trees planted by streams of water." Drawing inspiration from the towering redwoods of Muir Woods, Rev. Alexandra Jacob explores the musical settings of Psalm 1 by Bruce Neswick and Nathan Carter in her September reflection. Read this month's newsletter to ground and refresh your spirit for the season ahead.

Link in profile.

https://www.stolaf.edu/singforjoy/read/letter/2025-09

"I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light" is our opening hymn this week on Sing For Joy, with the lovely voices of ! Foll...
08/19/2025

"I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light" is our opening hymn this week on Sing For Joy, with the lovely voices of ! Follow the link in our profile to listen -- you'll also enjoy a solo by and performances by
(Photo: the ever-popular St. Olaf Natural Lands)

https://www.stolaf.edu/singforjoy/listen/2025-08-17

The Sing For Joy August Newsletter is now live! This month Rev. Alexandra Jacob shares about a camping trip she took ear...
08/01/2025

The Sing For Joy August Newsletter is now live! This month Rev. Alexandra Jacob shares about a camping trip she took earlier this summer that served as a brief pilgrimage through history, land, and faith. Join Rev. Jacob as she reflects on her time exploring Indigenous heritage sites in southeastern Minnesota and how it ties into passages we will hear this month in the book of Hebrews.

"Just as the land around us has been stewarded by diverse communities for generations, so has the story of our faith. We are surrounded by the witness of those who went before us, and we do well to remember that witness, seeking to honor it in our own time."

Link in profile.

https://www.stolaf.edu/singforjoy/read/letter/2025-08

Attention Sing For Joy listeners in the North Carolina area! Join Sing For Joy’s music director, Andrew Jacob as he lead...
07/08/2025

Attention Sing For Joy listeners in the North Carolina area! Join Sing For Joy’s music director, Andrew Jacob as he leads a hymn festival as part of the Lutheridge Music Conference. This event is free and open to the public. Come add your voice to the song!

Hymn Festival: Christ, Our Peace
Thursday, July 10 at 8:00pm
St. James Episcopal Church
Hendersonville, NC

The SFJ July newsletter is now live! This month Rev. Alexandra Jacob shares about her upcoming service trips with the yo...
07/02/2025

The SFJ July newsletter is now live! This month Rev. Alexandra Jacob shares about her upcoming service trips with the youth of her congregation, with a focus on serving neighbors and seeking justice. Link in profile.

https://www.stolaf.edu/singforjoy/read/letter/2025-07

The June newsletter is now live! This month Rev. Alexandra Jacob reflects on the upcoming summer season and how the Spir...
06/03/2025

The June newsletter is now live! This month Rev. Alexandra Jacob reflects on the upcoming summer season and how the Spirit might be revealed to us in the months ahead. How will you "pay attention" this summer? Link in profile.

https://www.stolaf.edu/singforjoy/read/letter/2025-06

It's the final week of our spring fund drive and we are on the edge of our seats here in the SFJ studios! We have a goal...
05/28/2025

It's the final week of our spring fund drive and we are on the edge of our seats here in the SFJ studios! We have a goal of raising $12,000 by May 31 and need to bring $3k in the door in the next three days — will you help us get there? This is your opportunity to support messages and music that have meant so much to you.

Thank you for listening — and supporting Sing For Joy! Link in profile.

https://stolaf.alumniq.com/giving/to/singforjoy

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1520 St. Olaf Avenue
Northfield, MN
55057

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+15077862600

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