FAMILY TRADITION - Three generations of the Thiel family comprise the Jolly Ramblers, a band from Lester Prairie which specializes in Christian themed music played to a polka sound. Musicians at St. Paul Lutheran's polka service the evening of Nov. 7 were (from left) Noah, Ben, Jason and Chuck Thiel. Pioneer photo by Deb Bently
Polka Service finds new tunes for familiar liturgy
Thu, 11/12/2026 - 9:00am
About 75 people enjoyed a meal of sausage, sauer kraut and fried potatoes after attending a “Polka Service” at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca the evening of Saturday, Nov. 7.
There were no lederhosen or traditional German dresses, but the elements of the evening’s liturgy were sung to familiar tunes: For example, the pre-service song “It’s Time to Praise Our Savior” was to the tune of “Pennsylvania Polka.” Psalm 103 was set to the Lichtensteiner Polka. Other elements of the service, including the confession and Apostles’ Creed were sung to church-related tunes, but played on an accordion, trumpet, and keyboard accompanied by percussion.
The musicians were the Jolly Ramblers, three generations of the Thiel family based in Lester Prairie. Patriarch Chuck played the accordion, his adult son Jason played the keyboard; grandsons Noah on trumpet and Ben on drums rounded out the group. Chuck did mention his oldest grandson Jacob was not present since he is currently attending college.
As the service came to an end, Chuck also shared that Sunday, Nov. 8 would be the end of the group’s Polka Service season, and that after two months of persistent appearances, the musicians were all ready for a rest.
St. Paul Pastor Michael Grannis shared readings surrounding “the day of the Lord,” the second coming of Christ. After reading the parable of the 10 virgins–five of whom were locked out of a wedding feast because they were late after failing to bring oil for their lamps–Grannis challenged those in attendance to decipher what the oil in the story symbolizes.
He offered a clue by rereading the Old Testament lesson from Amos 5:24, which says, “Let justice rain down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
Both the offering taken during the church service and the $10 tickets for the dinner are being used to support an annual summer youth trip to “Higher Things,” a theological conference held at various university campuses across the country.
The meal was prepared and served by church members Kristi Grannis, Angie Abel, Judy Waters, and Elora, Eliana, and Kina Grannis, with assistance from Pastor Michael Grannis.
