Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord
SANCTUARY CHOIR
The Sanctuary Choir is the primary choir for 10:45am worship from September through June. Adults of college age and above prepare a wide variety of music from all periods and styles of composition. No formal audition is required, but a sincere commitment to service is necessary. Rehearsal - Thursdays with a choice of morning or evening times 9:00-10:30am or 7:00-8:30pm.
During the months of July and August, we switch to our summer Men’s and Women’s Choirs - an ideal opportunity to "give choir a try" in a relaxed setting, requiring less time commitment, and open to anyone age sixth grade and above. Rehearsals take place on Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:30am. The music is tuneful and accessible, and the spirit is warm, comfortable, and encouraging. Novices and old pros are all welcome.
CHILDREN, YOUTH AND BELL CHOIRS
Both the Children and Youth Choirs seek to teach music in an enjoyable way that helps to foster an appreciation and love for the church and its music.
CHILDREN'S CHOIR
For children from K-5 through fifth grade. The children experience a delightful time learning the basics of music, emphasis on ear training, rhythm and movement, note values, and music’s unique place in worship. Children also participate monthly in the worship service. Rehearsal is held Sunday afternoons from 4:15-4:45pm.
YOUTH CHOIR
Includes children grades sixth through twelfth. Students sing a variety of styles of music throughout the school year, with particular emphasis as the music leaders for Youth Sunday, as well as participation in the special services during the Lenten/Easter and Advent/Christmas seasons. Rehearsals take place on Sunday afternoons, preceding Youth Bells and Youth Fellowship.
BELL CHOIRS
Our handbell choirs use our wonderful 4-octave handbells and 3-octave handchimes. The bells and chimes are used as hymn accompaniments, anthem descants, and as special music for preludes, postludes, or offertories.
Youth Bell Choir is open to youth from sixth grade through twelfth grade; and meets in conjunction with Youth Fellowship on Sunday afternoons/evenings. All rehearsals include pointers and practice in a variety of bell techniques as well as music of easy to medium difficulty. The ability to read music and a basic knowledge of rhythm are extremely helpful.
Special Worship Services
TAIZE' WORSHIP SERVICE - 5:30PM IN THE SANCTUARY
First Presbyterian Church offers evening prayers in the style of the Taize' community on the first Friday of every month, September-May at 5:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. This is a service of meditative song, prayer and Scripture reading, marked by an extended time of silence for personal reflection and prayer. Congregational song is accompanied by a small instrumental ensemble. If you have never attended this service before, here is a sample of the music: UBI CARITAS and JESUS REMEMBER ME.
MIDDAY PRAYER & COMMUNION WORSHIP SERVICE - 12:00PM IN THE CHAPEL
We gather in the Chapel each Wednesday afternoon at 12:00pm for a short 30-minute prayer service led by one of the pastors. We know that the middle of the week is a busy time, and we offer this as a way to slow down and remember to lift up in prayer the specific needs of our community and our world. At each service, the names of members of the congregation are lifted up in prayers of joy, thanksgiving, healing, sympathy, or gratitude so that over time, every member will have been prayed for by name. In addition to spoken prayer, we also incorporate space for prayer through Scripture, song and silence.
SEASONAL WORSHIP SERVICES
During the Advent season, we offer Advent Noonday Noels, a service of beautiful music offered by gifted artists from around the community. These services are held on three Tuesdays at noon in the Chapel. A simple lunch is offered in our gym following each service.
We begin the season of Lent with an evening service in the sanctuary on Ash Wednesday. During Holy Week, we offer a Wednesday prayer/foot washing service at noon, communion service on Maundy Thursday at 6:00pm, and a Tenebrae service on Good Friday at noon. All of these services are held in the Chapel.
