Graceful People
Rev. John Schleicher, Interim Pastor
Pastor John is Bishop Emeritus of the North/West Lower Michigan Synod of the ELCA and is currently serving as our interim pastor as together we discern God’s intended future for Grace. He was baptized on October 24, 1943 and ordained on January 18, 1970. He first served as pastor of a two-point parish in southeastern Ohio, then in Detroit, Imlay City, and Clare County (as pastor developer of a new congregation). John then was Mission Director for our synod before being elected as bishop. He has a B.S. in chemistry from Capital University, an M.Div. from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, and a D.Min from United Seminary, Dayton. John and his wife, Phylis, are parents of Lisa, Mara, and Nathan and grandparents of Maximillian, Caspar, Olen, and Cora. The live just east of Grand Ledge. On February 15, he began his second year on this journey of love and hope and joy as we see God’s plan unfolding before us.
Loretta Cetkovic, Music Director
Loretta Lanning Cetkovic, a native of Michigan, is a pianist, organist, and music teacher in Lansing, Mich. She manages an active studio and performs frequently in Michigan as a soloist and collaboratively with local players, such as the Con Anima Duo with cellist Igor Cetkovic.
Loretta completed her graduate studies at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Mich., studying piano performance and pedagogy with Dr. Alexandra Mascolo-David and Dr. Adrienne Wiley. While at CMU, she was awarded a graduate assistantship and inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda, the national music honors society, also serving as Co-President of the MTNA Collegiate Chapter. She completed undergraduate studies at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich., studying piano with Van Cliburn medalist Aviram Reichert and pedagogy with Dr. Helen Marlais.
Loretta, a Founding Teacher in the Music Development Program, has taught music in private schools in Grand Rapids, in Central Michigan University’s Community Music School, and the Stella Royce Piano Camp in Grand Rapids.
Currently, Loretta is director of Lansing-based Dynamics Music School, and Visiting Instructor of Group Piano at Alma College. Loretta serves as President of the Capital Area Music Teachers Association and as Chair of the Performing Arts Students of the Lansing Matinee Musicale. Loretta also serves as Music Director for Grace Lutheran Church in Lansing, Mich.
As Music Director at Grace, Loretta directs the Grace Choir, plays each worship service at Grace, and plans several musical events each year, including the 12th Night Carol Festival, the Lessons and Carols Service, Spring Concert, and the Summer Hymn Sing. Loretta also teaches the Grace Keyboard Lab and the keyboard track for the Grace Sacred Music Camp.
Pastor John is Bishop Emeritus of the North/West Lower Michigan Synod of the ELCA and is currently serving as our interim pastor as together we discern God’s intended future for Grace. He was baptized on October 24, 1943 and ordained on January 18, 1970. He first served as pastor of a two-point parish in southeastern Ohio, then in Detroit, Imlay City, and Clare County (as pastor developer of a new congregation). John then was Mission Director for our synod before being elected as bishop. He has a B.S. in chemistry from Capital University, an M.Div. from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, and a D.Min from United Seminary, Dayton. John and his wife, Phylis, are parents of Lisa, Mara, and Nathan and grandparents of Maximillian, Caspar, Olen, and Cora. The live just east of Grand Ledge. On February 15, he began his second year on this journey of love and hope and joy as we see God’s plan unfolding before us.
Loretta Cetkovic, Music Director
Loretta Lanning Cetkovic, a native of Michigan, is a pianist, organist, and music teacher in Lansing, Mich. She manages an active studio and performs frequently in Michigan as a soloist and collaboratively with local players, such as the Con Anima Duo with cellist Igor Cetkovic.
Loretta completed her graduate studies at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Mich., studying piano performance and pedagogy with Dr. Alexandra Mascolo-David and Dr. Adrienne Wiley. While at CMU, she was awarded a graduate assistantship and inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda, the national music honors society, also serving as Co-President of the MTNA Collegiate Chapter. She completed undergraduate studies at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich., studying piano with Van Cliburn medalist Aviram Reichert and pedagogy with Dr. Helen Marlais.
Loretta, a Founding Teacher in the Music Development Program, has taught music in private schools in Grand Rapids, in Central Michigan University’s Community Music School, and the Stella Royce Piano Camp in Grand Rapids.
Currently, Loretta is director of Lansing-based Dynamics Music School, and Visiting Instructor of Group Piano at Alma College. Loretta serves as President of the Capital Area Music Teachers Association and as Chair of the Performing Arts Students of the Lansing Matinee Musicale. Loretta also serves as Music Director for Grace Lutheran Church in Lansing, Mich.
As Music Director at Grace, Loretta directs the Grace Choir, plays each worship service at Grace, and plans several musical events each year, including the 12th Night Carol Festival, the Lessons and Carols Service, Spring Concert, and the Summer Hymn Sing. Loretta also teaches the Grace Keyboard Lab and the keyboard track for the Grace Sacred Music Camp.
Susan Gabel - Church Office Administrator
Sue has been in the Lansing area all her life. Sue has three daughters, Jennifer, Amanda and Heather. She has 2 wonderful son in laws and is a very proud grandma to Liam and Skylar. She likes to go to the beach, going to the gym and loves spending time with family.
