300 South Main Street
Greensburg, PA 15601-3112
(724) 832-0150

Worship: 9:30 & 11 am

Sunday School: 9:30 am

Click here for pictures of the 2008 FPC Christmas Pageant

OPPORTUNITIES IN MUSIC MINISTRY

At First Presbyterian Church, we strongly affirm the ability of music to address and engage us as a religious people. John Calvin once said that “music is a funnel into the heart through which should pour the word of God”. It is our prayer that you will be blest by your participation in the music ministry of our church whether you are a part of the congregational choir (our largest choir) or of one of the several choirs listed below.

THE CHANCEL CHOIR leads the congregational song and offers choral anthems and responses at the 11 a.m. worship services and special evening services. Soloists and ensembles from the choir offer music at both 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. worship services. Kick off picnic is on Thursday, September 4 at the home of Janet and Lynda Glover.

THE KIRK RINGERS play our Schulmerich handbells at the 11 a.m. service once a month, in addition to special and festive occasions. Kick off picnic is on Thursday, September 4 at the home of Janet and Lynda Glover.

LOGOS RINGERS is a new handbell ensemble for children in the fourth through sixth grades. The first rehearsal is on Wednesday, September 10 from 5 to 5:30 p.m.

THE ELEMENTARY MUSIC PROGRAM is a part of the LOGOS program on Wednesday evening that incorporates a meal, Bible study, worship and music, and recreation. The music curriculum guides the children in discovering their voices, and exploring the many ways we can make and respond to music. The vocabulary of worship is introduced in song and prayer. Glockenspiels, xylophones, hand chimes, and other percussion instruments are incorporated. The children sing once a month at the 11 a.m. service and occasionally at the 9:30 a.m. service. First meeting is on Wednesday, September 10 at 5 p.m.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAM includes a Cherub Choir for the very young and a Sunday School Choir for older elementary children. Traditional and contemporary hymns are sung along with Sunday School favorites. The choirs sing on occasion at the 9:30 a.m. service.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC plays an important role in the worship and musical life of First Presbyterian Church. A wide variety of organ pieces are played on our Austin chancel organ and our Moller gallery organ and on the Johannus digital organ in the chapel. Brass, woodwind, string, and percussion instruments are heard frequently in our services. For several years Karen Cole, Director of Bands at the McKeesport Senior High School, has organized instrumental ensembles at various times.

“Music at First Presbyterian Church,” a printed brochure featuring a listing of all the musical pieces used in worship in the past year, is available for your perusal. Please contact Ed Highberger if you would like one of these informative pamphlets.

Signature Preludes and Postludes: Ed Highberger has completed a compact disc of organ music titled, Signature Preludes and Postludes. Featured are eighteen service pieces, eleven of which are based on well-known hymns and carols. The compact disc is now available through the music department for $12. Proceeds from the recording will go towards the purchase of robes for the Chancel Choir.

Music Mission Statement

"The Worship of God is central to life and music has been an important element in corporate worship throughout human history. It enriches our worship celebration by reinforcing the meaning of Scripture and it opens the focus of our prayers and praise.

The music we sing or play is an expression of our faith - it is a gift from God and an offering to God. Through commitment and dedication to excellence, God's children of all ages share the gift of music with our
congregation and others in the community at large."

At First Presbyterian Church, we strongly affirm the ability of music to address and engage us as a religious people. Jolm Calvin once said that "music is a funnel into the heart through which should pour the word of God." It is our prayer that you will be blessed by your participation in the music ministry of our church whether you are a part of the congregational choir (our largest choir) or one of the choirs listed below.

The Chancel Choir leads the congregational song and provides choral anthems and responses for the 11 a.m. worship services. Soloists and ensembles from the choir offer music during the 9:30 and 11 a.m. worship service. First rehearsal is Thursday, Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the choir room. Party at the Sunset Cafe honoring Vivian Schwing follows rehearsal.

The Kirk Ringers play two sets of Schulmerich handbells at the 11 a.m. service once a month and on special and festive occasions. The first rehearsal is Thursday, Sept. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the new handbell rehearsal space next to the choir room. Party at the Sunset Cafe following rehearsal.

The Joyful Noise Singers is an ensemble for youth in grades 6 through 12 that sings at the 11 a.m. service at least once a month and on special and festive occasions. The first rehearsal is Sunday, Sept. 10 at 12:15 p.m. in the choir room.

Celebration Ringers is a handbell ensemble for youth in grades 6 through 12. Rehearsal times to be arranged.THE

Elementary Music Program is a part of the LOGOS program which incorporates a meal, Bible time, Worship and Music time, Family time and Recreation. The music curriculum guides the children in discovering their voices and exploring the many ways we can make and respond to music. The vocabulary of worship is introduced in song and prayer. Rhythm instruments, Orff instruments (glockenspiels, xylophones, etc.), handchimes, and handbells are incorporated. The children sing once a month at the 11 a.m. service. First meeting is Wed., Sept. 13 at 5 p.m.THE

Sunday School Music Program includes a Cherub Choir for the very young and a Sunday School Choir for older elementary children. Traditional and contemporary hymns are sung along with Sunday School favorites. The choirs sing on occasion at the 9:30 a.m. service.

Instrumental Music plays an important role in the worship and musical life of FPC. A wide variety of organ pieces are played on our Austin chancel and gallery organs and the Johannus digital organ in the chapel. Brass, woodwind, string and percussion instruments are frequently featured in our services. For several years, Karen Cole has organized instrumental ensembles for special occasions.

OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG SINGERS

The gift of song is the right of every child. Auditions for the Westmoreland Children's Chorus under the direction of Shirley Huls can be arranged by calling 724-830-1058 or 724-837-0847.

Please encourage your child/ children to participate in this 50voice ensemble (grades 4-10) which rehearses Tuesday evenings (6:307:30 p.m.) at First Lutheran Church. Openings in the Westmoreland Apprentice Chorus are also available for children in grades 2 and 3. Call 724-265-2234.

Take our music home with you!

Songs of the Soul, a compact disc representative of the music that is heard at the worship services at First Presbyterian Church, is now available for $15 at the coffee hour or through the church office. The compact disc is a result of the regular commitment of many participants in the music ministry and nine hours of recording the week following Easter Sunday. It features the Chancel Choir singing ten anthems such as Mack Wilberg's arrangement of the hymn-classic "Praise to the Lord" and the ever-popular "Hear Me, Redeemer" in a gospel style. Also included are duets by our soloists and selections by the Logos Choir, the Joyful Noise Singers and the Kirk Handbell Ringers. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of SONGS OF THE SOUL will be given to the Second Sunday Supper Project.

Signature Preludes and Postludes: Ed Highberger has completed a compact disc of organ music titled, Signature Preludes and Postludes. Featured are eighteen service pieces, eleven which are based on well-known hymns and carols including "God of Grace and God of Glory", "A Mighty Fortress", "It is Well With My Soul", "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly", "What Child is This?", "There is A Happy Land" and "Angels We Have Heard on High". The pieces were recorded on our sanctuary and gallery organs which contain over 3,500 pipes in 61 ranks, in addition to chimes, zimbelstern, and a 32' electronic pedal stop. Also heard on the recording is the Alan Sterner organ in St. Joseph Chapel at Seton Hill University. The organ in St. Joseph Chapel contains 82 ranks of digitally recorded pipes from the files of E. M. Skinner and AEolian Skinner. The project was made possible through the encouragement and generosity of an anonymous donor. Rick Carlins of Farmington, PA did the recording and mastering of the various tracks. The compact disc is now available through the music department for $12. Proceeds from the recording will go towards the purchase of robes for the Chancel Choir.