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"I will sing and make music to the Lord" Psalms 27:6 What a wonderful gift to glorify God through music! Music helps inspire faith, and helps us to prepare for prayer, to celebrate, to commemorate, and to spread the Good News. First United Methodist Church enjoys a rich and varied music ministry with so many opportunities, there is literally something for everyone! Choral and handbell groups for every age, an outstandingly talented staff (Directed by Don Gardner and Dr. Roy Knight as Church Organist), and wonderful volunteers make First Church's music ministry truly something special. Please use the links on this page to explore everything FUMC has to offer.
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Chancel Choir is the primary adult choir of First Church. As such it helps to lead the congregation in worship throughout the year. Weekly rehearsals are held on Thursdays from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m year-round. The Chancel Choir regularly participates in special services and concerts at First Church and beyond.
The Balcony Handbells of First Church, is a 12 member handbell choir. They rehearse weekly and perform in worship every 3 to 4 weeks as well as on major holy days. Ringers in this ensemble must have basic music reading skills.
Carol Choir: Children in K-5th grades are in the Carol choir. Weekly rehearsals are on Wednesday afternoons at 3:45 p.m. Like the youth choir, the children prepare music for Sundays and also Christmas and Spring musicals. 17 kids attended the first rehearsal on September 19th, but there is always room for more -- bring your child to join the Carol Choir!
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We are there! Due to your kind generosity, we have achieved our $80,000 goal needed to refurbish our Casavant Freres pipe organ! We thank those who have made this possible.
Work will begin early this Summer, and will be completed by September 30th. Following that, we will hold a celebration in song and hymns! Watch for details later this year.
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HeartSong is our small ensemble of adults dedicated to the learning and singing of contemporary music sacred music --- folk, praise, gospel, and global. They practice twice monthly and sing in worship every 4 to 6 weeks.
New Jerusalem Singers: With members in grades 6 - 12, this is the youth choir of First Church. Anyone of those ages is invited to the Sunday rehearsal at 6:00 p.m. In addition to providing monthly Sunday music service, this choir annually prepares a sacred musical, and helps lead the Youth Service in Spring.
Voice Choir: Occasionally, male or female ensembles are assembled to sing for worship and other events, and to provide opportunity for younger singers to hear and perform with older role models. In addition, throughout the year, there are many occasions for vocal and instrumental soloists to give of their talents.
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The Music Ministry offers the chance to let music be a part of your gift to God. Indeed, there is a place for all ages to share in the joys of serving God through music. Through Music Ministry, there are great opportunities for spiritual, personal, and musical growth. Although we strive for musical excellence, the priority is for each individual to be nurtured as a Christian and as one who contributes to Christian ministry through participation in the musical leadership of First United Methodist Church.
The Music Ministry of First United Methodist is a long established means of using the spiritual gifts and talents that have been given to us, not for our own glory, but for the praise of God and the building of God's kingdom. Nearly 25% of our congregation participates in one or more of the ensembles.
The various Music Ministry programs all share these goals:
- To give of time and talent to develop our skills, that the songs we offer are our best gifts.
- To share the fruits of these efforts with both the current membership and the community beyond, not to be praised, but to direct praise to God.
- To prayerfully and intelligently explore many wonderful styles and types of sacred music, modeling the desire for diversity within our church.
- To cherish both the 'head' and the 'heart' of sacred music, acknowledging that this art has powerful ability to speak to both our intellect and our spirits. We seek to choose texts and tunes that have integrity, theologically and musically.
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MAY 14 AT 7:00 P.M.
"PSALMS, SONGS AND PRAYERS"
A SPRING VESPERS
led by our
First Church Children's Choir
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Join us at 6:00 p.m. for a casual covered-dish dinner
Stay for the 7:00 p.m. Vesper Service
led by our Carol Choir
"SING TO THE LORD"
"PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!"
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