Our Music Ministry
As the
Psalmist wrote,
"Praise God with trumpet sound;
Praise with lute and harp!
Praise God with tambourine and dance;
Praise with strings and pipe!
Praise God with clanging cymbals;
Praise with loud clashing cymbals!
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!"
Our faith is enriched and our
spiritual expression expanded by the language of music.
Music in “The Service of the
Lord’s Day”
The
diverse musical opportunities of First Presbyterian Church’s Music Ministry seek to
glorify God and to enhance the worship experience for all involved in our weekly and
seasonal services. These many expressions of music represent the variety and
freshness which contribute to the vitality of our worshiping community. Undoubtedly, the
most important “choir” in our ministry is the congregation, and we continually
seek to enliven and bring understanding to our united voices as we “Make a joyful
noise.”
In addition to regular participation of our own choirs and
instrumentalists, our services of worship often welcome visiting musicians, ranging from
touring youth and college-age choirs to professional musicians. Shown below are some
of our musical guests.
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| Members of
the Shaffer family from Memphis, TN, are annual guests who share their
musical talents using harp and percussion instruments. We were honored to host the Ntem
Choir from our sister church in Cameroon, Africa. |
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Members of Delta State
University's Brass Quartet have also shared their talents and joined with us in
worship. |
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The Westminster
Concert Bell Choir of Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton,
N.J., presented a concert here as part of its spring concert tour to Washington, D.C.,
Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia and North Carolina. |
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Directed
by Kathleen Ebling-Thorne, the Choir has been featured on national television programs and
is well-known for its use of the largest range of handbells in the world. |
Music Ministry for Children
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Children
take part in a once-a-week music, Bible, and enrichment program we call CHORISTERS. Named
for the National CHORISTERS Guild, our children learn about hymns and worship music and
they prepare anthems to share with the congregation in services, the Annual Singing
Christmas Tree, and church family gatherings. In the process of developing musical skills
and learning the scriptural and theological texts that they sing, these young children
explore their creative expressiveness, an opportunity that nurtures the whole person. |
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CHORISTERS' times each Wednesday are: |
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3:45-5:00 |
Rehearsal |
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Music Ministry for Youth
Opportunities
for youth to participate in Music Ministry at First Presbyterian Church include the Jr.
and Sr. High Handbell Choir, participation in the Annual Singing Christmas Tree,
occasional Youth Dramas and/or Musicals, the Chancel Choir (Sr. High’s only), and
musical presentations on Youth Sundays. Performances given by our youth in the past have
included: A Season to Celebrate by Allen Pote, Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and The Complete History of the Old
Testament in Twenty Minutes by Tom Long.
 
Music Ministry for Adults
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Our Chancel Choir serves by leading
congregational singing in our services of worship on a weekly basis, as well as by
providing anthems and musical offerings to inspire and enlighten our faith
journey. This group is open to High School youth through adults without
audition. The group’s weekly rehearsal time prepares them for this significant
ministry and develops a close-knit sense of fellowship. Some members of the choir
have more musical training than others, but all share a strong commitment and personal
reward from their united efforts. |
The
Annual Singing Christmas Tree / Live Nativity
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The Annual Singing Christmas Tree has
been sponsored by First Presbyterian Church for over 20 years. Approximately 100 singers
make up the living tree. The singers are church members of all ages and segments of our
church family. Each year these volunteers come together for rehearsals to prepare a
program featuring carols, narration, and instrumental music. A Live Nativity is also
presented on the nights of the Singing Christmas Tree. These two events combine to make a
blessed part of our church family’s Christmas celebration and an inspirational gift
to our community. |
| These events offer a multitude of
opportunities for involvement ranging from publicity to costume coordination, from serving
refreshments to lending technical assistance. |
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Minister
of Music
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Ray Smithee, along with his wife Allison and daughter Marielle, moved to Greenwood in
January of 2005 at which time Ray assumed the responsibilities of Director of Music and
Organist here at First Presbyterian Church. The Smithees came to Greenwood from St. Louis,
MO where Ray had served for six years as Associate Pastor for Administration and Organist
at Kirkwood Baptist Church. Ray was also Minister of Music for fives years at Overland
Baptist Church in suburban St. Louis County. |
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Ray holds a Masters in Music Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in
Fort Worth, TX, where he was Associate Minister of Music and Organist at East Meadows
Baptist Church. Prior to that he graduated summa cum laude from the University of
Missouri, St. Louis, with a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance. Mr. Smithee also
earned a Masters in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from
Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. |
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