The first time Pat Fluhrer played the organ was when she was a newly married 19-year-old who knew she could contribute to the West St. Charles United Methodist Church’s Sunday service through her music. Now, 66 years later, she has played the organ for the Sunday services and countless weddings, funerals, adult and children’s choirs, and Christmas Eve services.
On September 25, 2022, Rev. Dr. Moody Colorado, Pictured Rocks District Superintendent, honored Fluhrer’s dedication by presenting her with a certificate for being a good and faithful servant of God.
To see an album of images from the service,
click here.
“I started playing the organ when I first came to West St. Charles. Before that, I had never played,” said Fluhrer. “At first, there were probably four people who played the organ. So, I only played once a month. And then, pretty soon, there were three, and then there were two, and for the last 20 years, there’s been me.”
The first Sunday Fluhrer played, she was very nervous. After church that day, George Koehler told her she did a good job and to keep playing. She listened and has been a dedicated church musician for 66 years.
“You weave your music into folks’ hearts, their joys, griefs, and celebrations, and that touches them. I don’t have a beautiful voice, but I know how to play the organ. So why would I not play it?” said Fluhrer.
Fluhrer and her husband Bill raised their family at West St. Charles UMC. Their love of music was handed down to them by their parents, and they passed it down to their five children and now to their nine grandchildren.
“My mom was our church’s pianist, so I always sat with my dad. And one day, I asked my mother, do you sometimes wish you could sit with dad and me? And she said, ‘No, because I can play the piano and give to God.’” said Fluhrer. “I never forgot that.”
Fluhrer was given the gift of music and has always used it to serve God. She doesn’t play for recognition because she knows music touches people and has used her gift to bring joy and peace to others.
“When I first started, I did it because I could play, and that was something I should do. But as the years have gone by, I just realized, you know, when someone comes up to me and tells me that my music touched their soul, that’s what it’s all about,” said Fluhrer. “If you can play and contribute to the worship service, just play and think of giving to God.”
