LINCOLN (SNR) – North American Martyrs Parish in Lincoln will host a “Concert for Christ” with Catholic singer-songwriter Jacob Rudd Sunday, April 18 at 3 p.m. in the church, 1101 Isaac Dr., Lincoln.
Free-will offerings will be accepted and all are welcome to attend.
Rudd will share unique original music about Jesus, the saints, and family life with finger-style guitar. He plays guitar, piano, banjo, ukulele, and bass.
Rudd and his family currently live outside Green Bay, Wisc., but he has served as a foreign Catholic missionary in Nicaragua, and youth minister in Wisconsin and Minnesota. His wife, Calena, is from Omaha and attended North American Martyrs while a student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Jacob reached out to the parish with the idea of presenting a concert, and pastor Father Brian Connor said he ran it by the parish council.
“They liked the idea,” he said. “Jacob is Catholic and incorporates Sacred Scripture in his music and has an impressive website with lots of music videos.”
Rudd's first album, “Pray, Hope, and Don’t Worry” – named for a popular maxim attributed to St. Padre Pio – was released in 2017 and combines the spirituality of several saints with Sacred Scripture. His second album, “Domestic Church,” was released in 2020. Rudd said the album reflects on growing up, getting married, and growing a family.
“As a musical artist, I try to create music that pleases God before anyone else,” he writes on the website, jacobruddmusic.com. “My goal is to give you music that communicates the truth and beauty of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church He established on earth.”
Father Connor added that a “Concert for Christ” in the Easter season seemed appropriate.
“We have so much to be grateful to God for during this pandemic,” he said. “Our church is large so it accommodates a good number without being crowded,” he added.
Grace Volkmer, a high school student and member of North American Martyrs Parish, will be the opening act to lead off the 90-minute faith music session.
