First Presbyterian Church Music Ministries
Music is a vibrant part of the life of the congregation at First Presbyterian Church. If God has gifted you in the area of music, we encourage you to use your musical gifts for God.
If you sing, please consider joining our Chancel Choir and/or contemporary Praise Team. The Chancel Choir leads the congregation in worship from September-June and also plays a key role in our Community Christmas Concert in December, our Christmas Eve Service, and our Easter Celebration Service. The Praise Team leads the congregation in worship from January-December.
If you are an instrumentalist, consider joining using your instruments during our celebration services at Christmas and Easter, as part of the Praise Team, or as a soloist during summer or other times of the year.
If you are a young person (starting in the 5th grade) to adult, consider joining one of our handbell choirs.
If you are interested in knowing about some of the key hymns and praise songs we sing regularly at First Presbyterian Church, check out our “Church Canon.”
Chancel Choir
- Chancel Choir meets for rehearsals on Wednesday nights from 7:00-8:30 pm from September through early June.
Praise Team
- The contemporary Praise Team rehearses on Sunday mornings and at other times during the year.
Bell Choirs
The Chapel Bell Ringers is a choir designed for grades 5 through 8. They rehearse Wednesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Middleton Parlor (down the long hall on the left). This is a training group that rings three octaves of bells.
The Lindsey Bell Ringers (named after our pastor emeritus, Dr. Albert J. Lindsey), is composed of grades 9 and up. They rehearse on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Middleton Parlor. This group rings 5+ octaves of bells at an advanced level.
No prior music knowledge is needed to join a bell choir (it helps, of course). We will train you to read your notes. Our bell choirs use a double set of bells so each new member is partnered with an experienced ringer. Rehearsals are planned with fun in mind and our ringers enjoy the rehearsals and ministry to our church and outside groups.
For more information please contact the Bell Choir Director Daniel Heath at danielheath7980@msn.com or Sonja West at sonja@nutley.org.
Chapel Bell Ringers 2018-2019 Schedule
- The Chapel Bell Ringers (5th- 8th grade) meet from 7-8 pm on Wednesday nights in Middleton Parlor (Room 109 on the church map).
- The first practice for the 2018-2019 school year is on September 19.
Lindsey Bell Ringers 2018-19 Schedule
- The Lindsey Bell Ringers (9th grade and up) meet from 5:30-6:30 pm on Wednesday nights in Middleton Parlor (Room 109 on the church map).
- The first practice for the 2018-2019 school year is on September 19.
News and Updates
Rehearsal Updates (dates not listed follow normal schedule above):
- Wednesday, April 3: Lindsey Bell Choir Rehearsal from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. No Chapel Bell Choir Rehearsal.
- Wednesday, April 24: No rehearsal for either bell choir.
- Wednesday, May 15: 50th Anniversary Bell Choir Rehearsal with Lindsey Bell Choir. No Chapel Bell Choir Rehearsal.
Upcoming Bell Performances:
- On Easter Sunday, April 21, the Lindsey Bell Choir will be performing in the Sunday morning service.
- On Mother’s Day, May 12, the Chapel Bell Choir will be performing in the Sunday morning service.
- On Sunday, May 19, the 50th Anniversary Bell Choir will be performing in the Sunday morning service. Anyone who has played in our bell choirs in the last 50 years is invited to join. Contact Bell Choir Director Daniel Heath at danielheath7980@msn.com for more information.
Questions?
- To get more information on how to become involved, contact our Minister of Worship, Dr. Daniel Perrin.
Music News
13
Nov '18
Veterans Day Service 2018
13
Nov '18
Thanks to Chip Van Gilder you can watch and listen to some of the wonderful music and readings at our 2018 Veterans Day worship service, which marked the 100th anniversary of the end of World War 1. Thank you to everyone who participated in this special Sunday worship service!
09
Nov '18
Sunday Worship to Mark 100th Anniversary of End of World War I
09
Nov '18
Did you know that this Sunday marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War? In addition to celebrating the sacrament of Holy Communion, we will be marking the day with special music and songs as we pray for peace and remember the many people who have died in wars over the past century. Join us for a powerful service this Sunday at 10:30 am that will include trumpeter Jared Hall, an introit by our Chancel Choir, the singing of the hymn, “Eternal Father, Strong to Save,” and the performance of the “Armed Forces Anthem.” The last piece was co-written by FPC Minister of Worship Dr. Daniel Perrin and Carl Munson and will be sung by FPC member Michael Marano, a U.S. Army Captain. Additionally, Sunday’s organ postlude will be “Epilogue on the Old 100th,” a meditation on the Doxology composed by Ernest Farrar, a British Christian composer who died during a battle in France during World War I. You won’t want to miss this powerful service!
29
Oct '18
Reformation Sunday 2018: A Mighty Fortress
29
Oct '18
On Reformation Sunday (Oct. 28), FPC’s Lindsey Bells (under the direction of Daniel Heath) presented Joel Raney’s magnificent arrangement of Martin Luther’s hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” one of the songs in the FPC Canon. The Lindsey Bells were joined by brass, piano, pipe organ, and FPC’s Chancel Choir (under the direction of Minister of Worship Dr. Daniel Perrin). If you missed this past Sunday (or if you want to experience the song again!), you can now watch the presentation on YouTube thanks to FPC member Chip Van Gilder.
12
Sep '18
Introducing the FPC Canon
12
Sep '18
Earlier this year, Pastor Eric asked our Worship Committee to come up with an “FPC Canon”—a select list of hymns and praise songs that are especially meaningful to the FPC community. After receiving more than 100 nominations from the congregation earlier this year, FPC’s Worship Committee came up with a list of 26 hymns and praise songs. Now you can explore the complete list on the new FPC Canon web page We also encourage you to listen to these songs during the week and use them in your own worship. Then they will have an even deeper meaning when you sing them in worship at FPC. These aren’t the only songs we will be singing during worship, but they are songs that for various reasons have meaning for our particular community. You can also start exploring the songs by using the YouTube playlist below. And stay tuned for future blog posts about specific songs on the list.
16
Jun '18
Reminder: Worship Mission to Guatemala Info Meeting on June 17
16
Jun '18
Do you sing or play an instrument? Interested in going on a worship mission to Guatemala in December? Musicians and singers are needed for a series of evangelistic meetings. Please join Edwin Martinez and Tim Kleefeld in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, June 17 from 9:45-10:15 am to learn about this exciting opportunity!
13
Jun '18
Informational Meeting June 17: Worship Mission to Guatemala
13
Jun '18
Do you sing or play an instrument? Interested in going on a worship mission to Guatemala in December? Musicians and singers are needed for a series of evangelistic meetings. Please join Edwin Martinez and Tim Kleefeld in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, June 17 from 9:45-10:15 am to learn about this exciting opportunity!