Samuel
J. Eatherton was born on July 15, 1974, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, son
of Lawrence and Karen Eatherton. He began his undergraduate studies at
Concordia College, Seward, Nebraska, in the fall of 1992. There, he and his
soon-to-be wife Lois participated in the band and choral programs and
studied organ under Dr. Charles Ore. They graduated in May of 1996, both
with degrees in Elementary Education (Music Concentration). After getting
married the same summer, Sam and Lois moved to their first call at Trinity
Lutheran Church and School in St. Joseph, Michigan, where they served for
four years. Having received the Call to Zion, they moved to Dallas in the
summer of 2000, where Sam was installed as Minister of Music. In the fall of
2003, Sam completed his Master of Church Music Degree at Concordia
University, River Forest, Illinois, receiving the Richard Hillert Award in
Composition. Sam and Lois's marriage has been blessed with five children:
Hannah, Rebekah, Ruth, David, and Sarah. Sam has had choral and organ
compositions published by Concordia Publishing House and is currently
studying organ literature and improvisation with Dr. Gerre Hancock at
UT—Austin. Sam teaches music to 3rd through 8th Graders at Zion, plans
worship, and directs the youth and adult choirs.