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Our Music Ministry

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     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.

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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.

wrpd.gif (7656 bytes) Special guests for the Kirkin' O' the Tartans
on Sunday, October 26, was the Wolf River Pipe and Drums.
To learn more about them, visit their website  -

http://members.aol.com/wolfriverpipes/main.html
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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.

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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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Scheduled 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.

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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. 

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        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.

  
     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.