“Sing praises to God, our strength. Sing to the God of Israel. Sing! Beat the tambourine. Play the sweet lyre and the harp. Sound the trumpet for a sacred feast when the moon is new, when the moon is full. For this is required by the laws of Israel; It is a law of the God of Jacob. Psalm 81: 2-4
Chancel Bell Choir
God continues to bless this church with many talented and gifted people who offer their service to the Lord through Music. Some of the groups sharing in services are shown on this page. We also have many who share individually or with small groups in special music and song at our services. For more about our musical groups read below. Please feel free to join our groups for rehersals at any time and to contact us for more information.
The Chancel Choir sings for the Traditional Services at 8:45 and for many special services during the school year. Practices are on Wednesday evenings at 7:15-8:15 in the Music Room located just inside the east and west entrances to the Christian Life Center. We invite all who wish to join us to come and make a joyful noise.
Praise Team consists of singers and musicians and leads the music in the Contemporary Services each Sunday throughout the year. Practices are held Wednesday at 6:00 in Room 109 just north of the Christian Life Center stage. The team performing for the upcoming Sunday service does a "Sound Check" on Saturday morning at 8:30 in the Christian Life Center and a "warm-up" at 10:00 on Sunday.
Our contemporary worship service is during the 11:00 hour every Sunday. Worship services have always been “contemporary” or at least in transition. When we use the word contemporary we imply “how it is done”, and the church continues to add new variations. But our number one objective is to glorify God, and the sacrifice of Christ is the center of our worship.
Our motivation must be to glorify God, follow God’s lead and worship and glorify Him, and I believe the Lord will bless the efforts we make to honor Him. People come to church looking for answers to questions that the world cannot answer. Therefore worship is our primary responsibility before God. It is the purpose for which we are made.
Saying all that, we must understand the process of a contemporary worship service demands more than removing your tie and stringing together the latest WOW worship songs. As church leaders we must undergo a paradigm shift. Going from an attitude that worship is a performance of a certain ritual to worship is developing a relationship with God. As Rick Warren said in The Purpose Driven Church, “Because human beings are so different no single church can possibly reach everyone. That’s why we need all kinds of churches…We should never criticize any method that God is blessing.”
In Revelation, chapter 4, God opens a doorway into heaven. John shares with us this heavenly sight. We have the opportunity with this contemporary service to enter this same throne room, commune with God and sense His presence in our lives. This presence changes people and we are never the same.
First Presbyterian Church has had adult and youth Bell Choirs since 1980, when we purchased a 4-octave set of Malmark Bells, and a 3-octave set of Malmark Handchimes.
Bell Choirs play for church services one Sunday a month throughout the school year. Adult choirs alternate months with the Youth Choir. Chancel Bells (Adult choir) practices each Wednesday at 5:30. Youth Bells practices on Wednesdays at 6:30. Both practices are in the Music room just inside the east and west CLC entrances.
The Chancel/Adult bells also play for community groups as well as some out-of-town functions. We can always use substitutes when "regulars" cannot play for a time, or if someone leaves the group. If you have played before or can read music, and would be interested in this musical opportunity, please contact us.
Children's Choir-- Contact person: Andrea Minikis Phone: 576-2091 Email: mail@firstpresfd.org
Children's choir meets on Monday's after school at 4:00 during the school year.
The Pipe Organ Services in our Sanctuary are greatly enhanced by the pipe organ. Recent renovation has brought it "up-to-date" and we continue to enjoy it's glorious sounds. Our current organist is Andrea Minikis.
