Music

“My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.” Psalm 57:7-11

The overarching purpose of the music ministry of First Presbyterian Church is to glorify God and worship Him through the avenue of music. Throughout the history of the people of God, music has been used as an integral means of the gathered worship, and I believe it is our joy and privilege to continue in that mission. Our modern culture is becoming increasingly non-participatory, and we become spectators rather than participators in so many facets of life. It is one of the aims of our music ministry here to serve as a place whereas many as possible are given the opportunity to actively participate in public worship by presenting their offerings of praise in the gathering of the saints. Praise and worship are not passive activities, they are to be entered into in an active way and it is the pleasure and duty of us all to do so. Music inspires worship of God and supplies his people with a tool to do so.

Music in the church also acts as both a means of edification and education, and for this reason we have children's choirs and handbell groups at our church. While children are beginning to learn of God, in Sunday School and in the Wednesday Church Night program, we in the music ministry enable them to participate as leaders in worship as they rehearse and sing the words of meaningful songs and practice musical discipline offering back to God their gifts, abilities, and talents.

All of the music ensembles at our church are the tangible outworking of this philosophy.

Soli Deo Gloria, Verlyn Smoker

Join the Choir

Group	Description
Adult Music Ministry	Consisting of the Chancel Choir, Jubilate Ringers, and several vocal ensembles. These ensembles are made up of people from various walks of life all committing their time and talent to provide musical leadership of worship in our services. Yearly events include social gatherings, Christmas and Easter specials programs, and a Choral Concert at the Mesquite Arts Center in the late Summer. The choir rehearses every Wednesday evening from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. in the winter month and from 7:00 to 8:30 in the summer. The choir is open to anyone high school age through adult. The Jubilate ringers rehearse from on Monday evenings from 6:45 to 8:00 and is by audition.
Youth Choir	This is a dedicated group of youth ranging in age from 7th to 12th grades. They rehearse each Wednesday evening from 5:15 to 6:15 and they lead worship in the 11:00 service on a monthly basis. The Youth Choir emphasizes musical leadership in worship while learning scripture based and other edifying music. They sing a variety of styles and music from Unison to 3 and 4 part writing.
Praise Ringers & Presbytones	Both the Praise Ringers and Presbytones are handbell ensembles for youth where the training of earlier years are further developed. Most of the Praise Ringers (grades 6-8) are transitioning from handchimes to handbells but some are ringing for the first time. They meet on Monday evening from 6:00 to 6:45. The Presbytones are our Senior High bell choir and play more advanced music requiring a greater level of skill and concentration. They rehearse on Sunday afternoon from 1:05 to 2:00. Both groups play two to three octaves of handbells and participate in worship about every other month. Ringing techniques and musicianship are taught with emphasis on worshiping God through this medium.

Verlyn Smoker, Director of Music Ministries

Music Ministry

Group	Description
Alleluia Chimes	This group consists of children grades 3 through 5, who are learning the discipline of handchime ringing. The Alleluia Chimes group plays in worship once per semester and they are making the most of their opportunity to receive training in this unique music medium. They meet on Wednesday evenings from 5:00 - 5:30. Paula Kusewitt, Director; Greg Farr, Assistant
Alleluia Choir	This choir is made up of 3rd through 6th graders and also rehearses weekly on Wednesday evening from 5:30 to 6:15. This group builds upon the foundation taught in the Hope and Cherub Choirs. Much of the music used in the Alleluia Choir comes directly from the pages of scripture and memory of the songs is stressed, hence, worship leadership and memorization of God’s word are accomplished simultaneously. This group sings in worship 3 or 4 times per semester. Paula Nelms, Director; Nickie Wilbanks, Accompanist
Cherub Choir	The Cherub Choir is for all children ages Kindergarten through the 2nd grade. This group meets weekly from 5:30 to 6:15 just prior to the Wednesday Church Night gathering. The primary purpose of this group is to introduce the concept of music leadership in worship and offering our voices to God in song, as prescribed in the Psalms. The cherubs sing in worship on an infrequent basis and are learning hymns and simple songs which speak of God and his creation, and are learning music fundamentals. Kelli Smoker, Director
Hope Choir	The Hope Choir is composed of children ages 3 to Pre K and gives them a weekly opportunity to sing and praise. The goal is not so much the leadership of public worship, although they do participate occasionally, but the introduction of singing and music making to children at a very tender age. The enthusiasm and vigor of these children add to the excitement of this first exposure to group music making. B. J. Mauldin, Director; Martha Sheppard-Mahaffey, Assistant