Reverend Donald N. Welmer
Pastor
Favorite Verse: Revelation 2:10
Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Pastor Welmer has been serving First Lutheran Church as pastor since September of 2020. He served as Associate Pastor at Messiah Lutheran Church in Plano, Texas from 2012-2020. Pastor Welmer graduated with a Master of Divinity degree from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana in May 2012. He is an avid reader, loves all sports and recreation, and enjoys walking his dog, Elsa. He is the 14th pastor called to First Lutheran Church and is very thankful for the souls under his care.
Rev. Gilbert Pingel
Pastor Emeritus
Favorite Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:15
He died for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
Justin Hipp
Director of Music
Favorite Verse: Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love toward us,
in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Justin serves as Director of Parish Music. He holds a bachelor's degree in church music from Bryan College and a master's degree in choral conducting from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Before coming to First Lutheran in 2016, he interned at both Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church and St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Though he has an ecumenical church background, he is glad to have found a home in the Lutheran church. At First Lutheran, he is also a member of the Board of Christian Education and volunteers as teacher of the 3rd-5th grade Sunday school class.
While not wearing his music director hat, he works as an estimator for a concrete contractor and enjoys playing disc golf, being an amateur mechanic, volunteering with his sons' Trail Life troop, and spending time with his wife, Anna, and their four children. As time permits, he also enjoys singing with various local choirs, including the St. Paul's Senior Choir, Chorus Angelorum, and Voci Virili.
Amy Sandy
Administrative Assistant
Favorite Verse: Luke 1:46-49
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
Denise Topp
Church Custodian
Favorite Verse: John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Anna Hipp
Church Organist
Favorite Verse: John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Anna has been organist at First Lutheran for four years and previously served as a part time pianist beginning in 2017. Her responsibilities include playing for all weekly and special services in the church year and accompanying the adult choir. She also volunteers as a member of the Board of Christian Education and as a teacher in Pre-K Sunday School.
Anna started playing the piano at the age of 5, and began accompanying church services at the age of 10. She studied piano with Dr. Daniel Labar throughout middle and high school. She has always especially enjoyed collaborative music. She spent many early years accompanying hymns at church, vocal students during college, and continued on in church music post collegiate studies in a variety of capacities and positions. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Church Music from Bryan College. Anna has also spent many years singing with vocal ensembles, including Chattanooga Bach Choir and the Dale Warland Festival Chorale.
While the organ wasn’t her first instrument, she has developed a love and appreciation for the beauty and versatility of the instrument. She is thrilled to have the honor of playing this beautifully restored organ and looks forward to many more years of leading the church’s song.