Music Ministry

The Chancel Choir has embarked on a campaign to increase our numbers; not just for the sake of being bigger, but to give others the wonderfully satisfying opportunity to offer back to God their talents, their time and their praise. The Choir offers a community where “everybody knows your name” and where everyone freely offers care, encouragement and support. Won’t you please consider joining us? Just follow the helpful instructions below.

Basic Instructions for Joining the Chancel Choir

Difficulty Level: Downright Easy Step One: Introduce yourself to Tom. Ask him if he is currently accepting new members. The answer will be an emphatic YES!

Step Two: Find out if he requires an audition. He will tell you NO! He will also tell you that it’s helpful if you have previous singing experience, but the most important thing is that you can match pitch and have the desire to participate.

Step Three: Attend your first rehearsal (Thursday, 7:30 p.m. in the Choir Room). Acquaint yourself with the people sitting in your section to help ease your nerves a little. They will be positively ecstatic to add another member to the choir. Sing ... and most importantly, enjoy yourself! Please repeat Step 3 weekly.

Chancel Handbells: Looking for Substitute Ringers

The Chancel Handbells are looking for a few good folks who might be interested in being substitutes. The group frequently needs one or two people to fill in at a rehearsal (Mondays from 6:00-7:00 p.m.), and occasionally for a Sunday morning worship. Music reading skills are necessary, and we’ll teach you the rest. Contact Tom Lippert (727-822-2031, ext. 17, or tlippert@fpc-stpete.org). The Handbells are currently preparing for their part in the Many Moods of Christmas concert that will take place on Sunday, December 16, at 4:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. On Sunday, November 11, they will all pile into the church bus (pray for Tom) and head for Lakeland to hear the famous Raleigh Ringers handbell choir.

Praise Team

We have a number of new members of the FPC Praise Team, the group that leads our 9:00 worship every Sunday. So this is a good time to recognize the entire team and say thanks for the good work they do every Sunday. Guitar – Vit Gulbis Bass – Phil Traynor Drums – Kent Rodehaver Singers – Gretchen Letterman, Tony McCoy, Fran Mikuta, Cathy Swanson Thanks for all your hard work!

Children's Choirs

The Word of God, set to music and sung in choir rehearsals over and over again, becomes deeply planted in the hearts and minds of children. Children who learn to use various musical skills at an early age grow up equipped to fully participate in the worship life of the church. Such children, securely rooted in God’s Word, have the best possible anchor to secure them in the midst of life’s raging storms and murky waters. We look forward to a wonderful new adventure in children’s ministry!

• Joyful Noise Choir (ages 3 thru 1st grade)

• Spirit Song Choir (grades 2-5)
Regular Rehearsals on Sundays from 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. in the Choir Room beginning on September 9th. This shared ministry of music and Christian education invites our youngest singers to discover the joy of music in a positive, upbeat atmosphere. Activities will include music, movement, Bible stories and much more. The choirs will regularly sing at both 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. worship. The Kickoff Carnival for the Joyful Noise and Spirit Song choirs will take place on Sunday, September 9, at 4:00 p.m. in the Choir Room.

PLEASE NOTE: The parents of children participating in Joyful Noise and Spirit Song Choirs are invited to join together for a time of conversation and fellowship in the Youth Center Café while the choirs rehearse.

New CELEBRATION PROJECT! for Youth

 We seek to help middle and high school students grow in their faith by providing regular opportunities to participate meaningfully in the worship life of this congregation. We believe that such worship experiences are extremely important as these young people continue the journey toward becoming mature disciples of Christ.

• Celebration Project! (middle and high school youth)
Regular Rehearsals on Sundays from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. in the Choir Room beginning on September 16th. This shared ministry of music and Christian education invites middle school and high school students to participate in creating a variety of worship experiences. Activities will include handbells, singing, drama, movement, choral reading, and a drum ensemble The group will regularly contribute to both 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. worship. A Celebration Project Praise Team will also lead worship once a month at the 9:00 a.m. worship service. The Kickoff Carnival for CELEBRATION PROJECT! will take place on Sunday, September 16, at 5:00 p.m. in the Choir Room. ADULT CHOIRS Through music and the arts, we nurture a congregational song which celebrates the redemptive love of God, models the servanthood of Christ, and awakens the transforming passion of the Holy Spirit.