Worship

Worship

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Welcome to our Music Ministry site! We at First Baptist believe that individuals need to worship God. As you click through these pages, I hope you’ll get a sense of our calling as church musicians to take

hold of that for which God has taken hold of us. [Philippians 3:12]

First Baptist Church, Columbiana, has a wonderful musical heritage. Currently, we share musically through our vocal music, our instrumental music and our congregational worship. The basis for everything we do

within our Music Ministry is Psalm 33:3: “Sing to the Lord a new song, play skillfully, and shout for joy.” It is exciting to know that God uses people like you and me for His eternal purposes.

If you live in Columbiana, I invite you to become a part of this ministry and lead others in their worship of God. Just call the Church Office at (205) 669-3128 and talk with us; or, you can simply click here to contact us.

If, on the other hand, you’re simply browsing these pages from another place, let me encourage you to “sing to the Lord a new song” wherever you are. And, if you’re ever in Columbiana, visit us at 208 N. Main Street.

hold of that for which God has taken hold of us. [Philippians 3:12]

within our Music Ministry is Psalm 33:3: “Sing to the Lord a new song, play skillfully, and shout for joy.” It is exciting to know that God uses people like you and me for His eternal purposes.

Morning Worship

This service occurs on Sunday mornings from 10:30-11:45 a.m. in the sanctuary. Our pastor, Dr. Michael Miller, shares the message, and Charles Powell, Minister of Music, serves as the worship leader. The worship choir is our Sanctuary Choir (adults); together with our church orchestra, they faithfully inspire us in our worship of God. These groups use a variety of musical styles, hopefully facilitating everyone’s encounter with God. Most services also feature a solo, an ensemble selection, or a handbell selection.

Congregationally, both hymns and choruses are used. An effort is made to observe the heritage of the great hymns of our faith, as well as inject the newer hymns and choruses that are of a more contemporary nature.

Accompaniment for both our congregational singing and our choral/ensemble selections range from full orchestra to a cappella. First Baptist Church is fortunate to have as supporting instruments a large organ and grand piano. Whatever the instrument, group or style, though, it’s our mission that God be honored and glorified in and through it all.

Choral

First Baptist Church, Columbiana, has used choirs in its worship of God since its inception, and today, music and worship continue to be inseparable.

The backbone of today’s music ministry continues to be the choral program, involving literally hundreds of people. All in all, there are four (4) choirs, providing praise and musical opportunities for different ages from four-year-olds to senior adults.

Joyful Sound

Our Joyful Sound choir has been going strong since January of 1995, involving some 30-plus singers. Aside from sharing at FBC, they also have participated in the Senior Adult Week at Ridgecrest, N.C., where they served in the Conference Choir. Directed by minister of music Charles Powell, and accompanied by Glenda Howell, this group regularly rehearses each Monday at 1:00 PM in the choir room. They meet from August to June.

In addition to sharing in worship at First Baptist, they have a monthly retirement home ministry where they share their musical gifts and let the retirement residents know that God loves them. Adults age 55 and above are eligible to participate in Joyful Sound.

Sanctuary Choir

This choir of adults, ages 17 & up, comprise the main service choir of First Baptist Church. With 40-plus active members, they serve faithfully each Sunday morning as worship leaders at our 10:30 AM Service. They are directed by Charles Powell, minister of music; serving as their accompanist is Katherine Powell. In addition to sharing each Sunday morning, this choir presents two to three major programs per year, typically one in the spring, summer, and then one in December.

Musical styles shared by this choir run the gamut, with everything from contemporary to classical being performed. Regular rehearsal time for this group is on Wednesdays at 6:30 to 8:00 PM.

Choir membership is open to church members and non-church members alike, with the only requirements being the ability to carry a tune, to learn a part, to be committed in attendance, and to have a passion for sharing Christ through song. There are no auditions. New members are highly encouraged, and anyone interested may call 205-669-3128 for more information.

Children’s Choirs

Without good Children’s Choirs, there could never be good adult choirs! For this reason, much effort is expended at First Baptist to assure good musical training for these younger ages.

Choirs are provided for children:

- Preschool Choir (ages 3 & 5)
- Children’s Choir (grade 1 – grade 5)

Each choir meets on Sunday evenings at 6:00 PM, with the Children’s Choir year corresponding with the school year (middle of August to middle of May). A group of 5 -6 adults serve as the leadership team for these children’s choirs.

The Children’s Choirs Ministry help support 2 big programs per year:
1) Hanging of the Green Service on the first Sunday night in December, and

2) Spring Children’s Musical on the first Sunday morning in May.

The children enroll during August each year – usually at a Back to School Bash event – and membership is open to any child; church membership by the children or their parents is not a requirement.

Instrumental

A very important part of our praise to God is our Instrumental Ministry. Psalm 150 gives exuberant encouragement for such a ministry within the life of the church.

At the top of our instruments of praise are the two standard church instruments, the piano and the organ. Certainly they provide the foundation for our entire instrumental program, and the capable and skilled contributions of Katherine Powell and Vickie Stone – as pianist and organist, respectively – are greatly appreciated.

In addition to these standard church instruments, though, First Baptist Church enjoys the musical offerings of special groups of instruments. The following links tell you more about what kinds of instrumental groups are active at First Baptist.

Sanctuary Orchestra

Our Sanctuary Orchestra began in May of 1996. Active participants of First Baptist Church, the orchestra contributes regularly in the Sunday morning worship service. In addition, they play an important role in the major music programs of our church.

The group involves instrumentalists – church members and non-church members alike – who are primarily adults, but does admit Sr. High students when their instrument is needed and they have attained a high level of playing.

This group rehearses each Wednesday night from 5:30 – 6:30, having the first half hour with the praise team, and the last 30 minutes alone.

Anyone interested in becoming a member should contact Charles Powell at (205) 669-3128.

Praise Teams

Also in May of 1996, we added a Praise Team to our service. Four teams our now in place that each lead our worship once a month. Each member of the Worship Team is keenly aware that before one can be a worship leader, one must first be a lead worshipper. Much time is spent in rehearsals talking about the awesome responsibility that is attached to this role.

The weekly rehearsal time for the Worship Team is Wednesday evenings at 5:30 pm; then, they’re at it “bright and early” on the next Sunday morning (9:00 am) to do final checks to make sure everything is ready. The Praise Team then leads our worship along with our Sanctuary Choir in the 10:30 am Worship Service.

Sanctuary Bells

A group with strong tradition at First Baptist Church is our adult English handbell choir, the Sanctuary Handbells . Now a full seven-octave bell & chime choir (85 bells), membership is determined by an audition process, with the ability to read music being pre-requisite to audition. It can have a membership from 12 to 15 ringers, depending on the complexity of the music.

Directed by Charles Powell, the group rehearses each Sunday at 4:00 PM. Typically, they share one Sunday per quarter in the Morning Service.

Anyone interested in ringing in the Sanctuary Bells should see Annette; as positions become vacated, then your name will already be on the waiting list of people who want to audition. Be aware up front, however, that total commitment to regular attendance in rehearsals is essential. It’s almost impossible to have a productive rehearsal when players are absent. But, there’s not another group that has a better fellowship and singleness of purpose than the Sanctuary Bells. It would, indeed, be a high point in your week!

Weekly Rehearsal Schedule