Table of Contents

1. Who We Are
2. Why True Vine?
3. What is the Purpose of True Vine Music?
4. Is True Vine Music Lutheran?
5. Want to Join Us?
6. Who is Michael A. Schmid?

Who We Are

True Vine music is an outgrowth of the Worship music of Michael A. Schmid and the worship ministry of St. John's Lutheran Church in Napa, California. 

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Why True Vine?

True Vine is located in Napa, California, in the Napa Valley, one of the premier winemaking regions of the world.  The valley is filled with vineyards, producing some of the finest grapes for making the finest wines. 

The Bible contains many references to vineyards, grapes, harvests, and winemaking.  Vineyards and the resulting wine were part of the life of the people of God from the vineyards of Noah, the winepress of judgment.  But one of the most meaningful vineyard images is found in John 15.  Jesus explains to his disciples that their connection to him is as branches to a vine.  The branch draws its life from the vine, and can only be fruitful so long as it is connected.  Jesus himself is the "true vine" and his Father is the gardener who tends the vines, prunes the branches, and seeks to draw forth the fruit.

This is not only a picture of the nature of the life of a Christian, but also of worship. In worship, we who are branches, celebrate the connection we have with the vine. We draw life from the vine as He speaks to us in His Word, and feeds us at his Table.  Then we go forth to bring forth fruit for his glory.

And hence the name "True Vine Music."  Here in the Napa Valley, where we are surrounded by so many vines, bearing so much good fruit, we are mindful of the "True Vine" who is our life, and who alone brings forth in us the fruit that will last.

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What is the purpose of True Vine Music?

The purpose is to make available for the church congregational worship music that is singable, Christ-centered, Biblically based, and doctrinally sound.   The songs here have been given by God and are for the church.   Therefore it is only fitting that they should be shared -- and shared in a way that makes them readily usable.

At present, there is no fee for downloading True Vine songs.   And congregations with a CCLI license are able to download and use the songs with no further permissions needed.

We're working on quality recordings of all of the songs available here.  Some of the downloadable samples are very rough and basic, intended to get the idea of the song into the ears of church musicians.

If you are involved in contemporary worship music at a Lutheran Church, you probably know that there is not a great deal of support for the production, dissemination and use of contemporary worship resources by denominational boards.   Sometimes there is outright opposition. At other times, the best that can be hoped for is to be ignored.

While having no delusions of grandeur, True Vine Music wants to be a support where there is often no support.  In the future you will find in this space suggestions of worship songs that reflect distinctive Lutheran emphases, as well as reviews of some of the more popular contemporary worship songs.

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Is True Vine Music Lutheran?

The songs of Michael Schmid are written from a biblical Lutheran perspective and reflect the theology of the Lutheran Confessions.  Lutheran congregations that engage in contemporary worship are often frustrated in trying to locate songs that reflect a Lutheran perspective on certain teachings of the Bible.  Especially these areas:

• The sacramental presence of Jesus Christ in Holy Communion

• The work of God in Holy Communion

• The central importance of justification and the forgiveness of sin through faith alone in Jesus Christ.

• The role of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit in empowering the life of the believer.

• Finding God where He has promised to be: In His Word, in Communion, in Baptism, in the Worship of the Church,

One of the purpose of True Vine Music is to help fill that gape for Lutheran congregations.  In the future we also hope to provide suggestions and guidance for Lutheran congregations seeking worship songs in these areas.

Included on this site is a setting of the liturgy.  This setting of the liturgy preserves the familiar liturgical text but with a more contemporary feel.  There are also contemporary versions of the Te Deum and the Venite.  More liturgical texts will be contemporized in the future.

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Want to Join Us?

Do you want to be a part of this?  Have you written songs that fall into the category described above?  Would you like to share them with the church at large?  If interested in partnering with True Vine Music, please email us at info@truevinemusic.com. 

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Who is Michael A. Schmid?

I'm known as Pastor Mike at St. John's Lutheran in Napa, California, where I have served since January 1998. I was called originally as an associate pastor, and then called again as Lead Pastor in 2000.  Before coming to Napa, I served as pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Manchester, IA from 1990 to 1997.  I attended Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana where I receive an M.Div. in 1990.

I thank my Lord for the talents he has given me in piano, keyboard, and organ.  I am also thankful for the privilege of being able to create new songs for the church's use.  My songs are reflective of my faith, and frequently arise from my personal experiences of God's working in my life.  Most often I start with a biblical passage and the idea of a tune, and then it begins to flow from there.

I am also thankful for my family. My wife of 20 years, Teresa, and my three daughters, Erika, Heidi and Danika.

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Copyright © 2004  True Vine Music. All rights reserved.
Revised: 07/22/08.

Send mail to info@truevinemusic.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 03/24/06