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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.

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Music in “The Service of the Lord’s Day”

     In worship, we unite ourselves with others to acknowledge the holiness of God, to hear God's word, to offer prayer, and to celebrate the sacraments.  Public worship with prayer and thanksgiving is the heart of this Christian community.

     Worship is held in First Presbyterian's sanctuary with its resplendent stained-glass windows and the largest pipe organ between Jackson, MS and Memphis, TN.  Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, we welcome you, and ask you to journey with us.

      The Church Year follows the life of Christ and is made up of six seasons:  Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost.  The seasons of the Church Calendar are reflected in the colors of the clergy's and choirs vestments and the altar cloths.

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 week are:
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4:00-5:00 Sundays 4th - 5th grades
3:45-5:00 Wednesday's 1st - 3rd grades

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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

        

     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.