Make Music Unto the Lord

First Church has an active music program. There are children, youth, and adult choirs, bell ringing, choir festivals, and musicals. Plan now to join the sound of music here in our church. There is a place for you and your family in our music programs. Contact our Minister of Music, Loryne Koebele.

Enjoy photos on this page of  various choir activities.

Tim who?  Timothy, our number one helper for all endeavors here at First Church…yes…he is a mouse…but never has there been one like our “Timothy”!!

Yo…hoo…hum…de…do!  This is the happiest time of the year.

Everywhere is a surprise…an extra supply of cookies in the cookie jar…packages marked “Do NOT open ‘til’ (but one can shake them!)…extra smiles of wonderment from all.  One has to promise to be real good or the smiles of wonderment will disappear.

One thing doesn’t change…Miss Koebele still wants rehearsals…so let me tell you what’s up!

I, with the singing kids, have an evening of joy prepared for each of you…a Family Christmas Party on Sunday, December 6th at 5:00 p.m.  It is really like a Carol Party.  Gives us a chance to sing our Christmas joy together.  We are preparing a “playlet” entitled “All About Christmas.”  Of course they’ll be angels and shepherds and I believe a king or two or three!  I’ve also heard there is going to be a partridge…and some geese, swans and even a bunch of drummers there…so don’t miss the party, there’s sure to be Christmas goodies and fun for all.  Mark it on your calendars.  I did.  See you there!

And don’t forget that real special Christmas connection on December 16th when at your request, the Praise Choir will bring Christmas joy in song to everybody all over the USA.  Phone-a-Carol has become a Christmas tradition here at First Church.  You have a friend you’d like us to serenade?  Give us their telephone number and pronto on Wednesday, December 16th between 5:15 and 6:30 p.m. the Praise Choir will sing a carol to them with special greetings from you to them.  What a great deal!!

Then there’s that very, very special time when I rest beside baby Jesus in the manger during the Christmas Pageant, this year entitled “Did Mary Know?” during morning worship on December 20th.

I know you and your family and friends will be there for although that moment of wonderment at the birth of Christ Jesus has been portrayed year after year, we wait for those words “For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.”  Glory to God!

A most blessed Christmastide to you all!

Happy Timothy

The Chancel Choir met on Thursday evening, September 10, 2009 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in the Vestry for a pot luck dinner.  No musical degree or high or low C’s was required to attend...Just a smile, ☺ or a laugh , and a friendly attempt to sing ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪ ♫ ♪, next to a person much like yourself.

May I assure you God will smile back at you if you join the choir. Just ask any Chancel Choir member. They’ll tell you it will make you feel good all over—especially in your heart.

P.S. No kidding! Give singing in the choir a try—“you might like it!!!?”

Allyson Printz, Katie Gerrish and Jennifer Dalrymple had the wonderful experience of attending the Bell Conference of The American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR) held at U Maine, Orono the last weekend of June. Starting Thursday afternoon, culminating with a concert on Sunday afternoon, the long weekend is a highlight in a bellringers' career. The biennial conference included classes, many "mini concerts" and three rehearsals each day to get ready for the Sunday afternoon concert of 800 ringers. The mini concerts featured individuals and choirs who prepared a special piece of music. We also took the opportunity to listen to the rehearsals of the "Bronze" bell choirs (advanced level) to hear some inspiring ringing. The event was an opportunity for the bell ringing community to come together, share and learn about "cutting edge" news in the bell ringing world. The ringers all came away refreshed and re-enthused about the art of bell ringing.

Check out this panorama of the festival: (Look on the right side of the photo. Then look for the green and blue banner from Auburn, Maine. Katie is almost directly below it. Jennifer and Allyson are to her right).

Choir Rehearsal Schedules
(Note: We take a break during the summer)