Our Church Staff

Bridge Pastor

Rev. Jim Benzing

Pastor James Benzing is a native of the small town of Wapakoneta, Ohio. He grew up attending church services with his family at St. John United Church of Christ, Mansfield, Ohio. His call to ordained ministry was founded in his involvement in the United Church of Christ as a child, through the nurture of his devout Christian parents, William and Greta Benzing, his Sunday School classes, the Youth Fellowship program, and Sunday Morning Worship.

James’ call to the Lord’s teachings brought him to Heidelberg University (Tiffin, Ohio), where he studied Sociology and Religion, earning his Bachelor of Arts in 1982. James went on to continue his theological studies at Eden Theological Seminary (Webster Groves, MO), earning his Master of Divinity and was ordained as a United Church of Christ Pastor in 1987.

After numerous years of service to Christ’s followers, the community, and the word of God, James officially retired in 2015, but his love for service and fellowship has continued on. Since 2015, he has been an actively sought-after supply preacher in the United Church of Christ ministry and has served numerous congregations around the Chicagoland area in need of pastoral leadership. In this role he has been both a source of wisdom and guidance on Sunday mornings, and a support system to the congregation as they work to find the correct leader for their community. James also occupies his weekdays serving his local community school district. as a substitute teacher.

When not working, James enjoys baseball (Go St. Louis Cardinals!), reading books of all genres and spending time with his family and dogs.

Church Office Manager

Lena Vocalino

Before joining St. Paul’s, Lena worked in a variety of administrative, support and business management positions in the hospitality and other industries.


She is a mom to a 32 year old daughter named Savanah.

 

One of Lena’s passions is continual Learning. This led her to obtain a certificate as Professional Wedding Destination Planner, which became an interest of hers in a prior position. She also operates a side business as a Wedding Consultant.


More recently, she became interested in learning more about social media and has taken several classes in that arena. She completed her Master Digital Marketing Certification, which will assist in improving our online presence and allow us to reach more of the community with the message of Jesus Christ.


In Lena’s role, she coordinates virtually all church communications and functions and ensures that services, events, and activities run smoothly.

Church Organist, Pianist, Bell Choir Director

Kristin Lundine-Scheets

Kristin joined the St. Paul’s musical staff in 2013 as our Bell Choir Director. Since then she has expanded her musical talents to become our church organist and pianist as well as worship vocalist.


Kristin holds a Bachelor degree in Musical Theory and Composition from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana as well as a k-12 Teaching Certification from Vandercook College of Music Education.


Prior to coming on board on our musical staff, Kristin worked as a church choir accompanist and has been teaching piano since the age of 13!


Another of her talents is playing the trombone and keyboards in the “pit” for area musicals. Her favorite way to praise God is by leading the congregation in singing Gospel-style hymns.


Her enthusiastic spirit and talents helps make the music of St. Paul’s come alive!

Adult Choir Director

Lon Schmidt

Lon has been an active member of St. Paul’s since 1967 and is our Adult Choir Director. He is a Local talent that we are blessed to have at St. Paul’s.


After graduating from CL Central high school, he headed to Milton College in Wisconsin where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree.


He then pursued further studies and received his Master’s degree in Music from Chicago Musical College at Roosevelt University.


Now retired, Lon was employed by the Cary School District for 32 years as their middle school Director of Choral Music and Classroom Guitar Instructor.


We have been very fortunate to have his talents on our musical staff where he has directed our Adult Choir since 2010.


He continues to teach guitar in his spare time.

Brass Director

George Rook

George Rook coordinates our unique church musical group, the St. Paul’s Brass. George formed this brass quintet in 1982, and the group has been providing the golden sounds of brass to St. Paul’s ever since.


George has played trombone since grade school, where he was tutored by another of our long time church members, Gordon Triefenbach. It was under the teaching and instruction of Mr. Triefenbach, who directed instrumental groups of young musicians, that George Learned much of his musical ability in playing in small ensembles.


George obtained his advanced musical training at Western Illinois University where he was the Principle Trombonist for the WIU Wind Ensemble. George also has the distinction of performing at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.


Over the years George has played with a number of Big Bands and the St. Paul’s Brass, also known as the Crystal Brass, and has performed in the area for other churches, weddings, and special occasions.

Praise Team Director

Linda Kranz

Linda Kranz has been a St. Paul’s member for over 60 years and been involved in the music programs since she was in grade school, when she sang in the youth choir.


She currently rings in the Bells of Praise handbell choir, leads the Praise Team when they participate in worship, and has served as the accompanist for the adult choir for nearly 35 years.


Linda has been involved in music her entire life, starting her piano lessons before she went to kindergarten. During grade school and high school she played oboe in the concert bands and saxophone in the jazz and marching bands.


While at the University of Illinois, she played oboe in the Symphonic Band and saxophone in the Marching lllini and University of Illinois basketball band.


Linda has a BS in Business Administration from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

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