The First United Methodist Church seeks to praise and worship Jesus Christ and to minister to those in the congregation through a variety of music.
"O sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things"
- Psalm 98:1
Sanctuary Choir
The Sanctuary Choir provides music for worship every month of the church year. The Sanctuary Choir has a wide-ranging musical repertoire including spirituals, gospel, classical, and contemporary praise song anthems. They rehearse on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 pm during the school year. All are welcome to join the choir. During the year, the choir presents several special musical programs or cantatas, including an Advent service, a Christmas Eve musical program as part of the 11 pm candlelight communion Christmas Eve service and an Easter musical program on Palm Sunday. For questions on participation in the music program please contact Rev. Elizabeth Kubota at
music@firstumchurch.com.
Jubilate Deo
Jubilate Deo is a women's sextet that rehearses weekly during the school year to provide music for worship monthly, at healing services, at the Blue Christmas service and the Easter Vigil service. They represented the church at the 2013 Interfaith Good Friday service as well as the 2013 Assabet Valley Counseling Center Benefit concert. While it is a sextet all interested singers are welcome. Having a larger choir would be a most welcome change. For questions on participation in the music program please contact Rev. Elizabeth Kubota at music@firstumchurch.com.
Praise Band
IMPACT is a multi-generational praise band that rehearses weekly and plays contemporary Christian songs for worship monthly. Their debut was as the praise band for the October 2011 installation service of Rev. Rene Perez, District Superintendent of the Central Massachusetts District of the United Methodist Church New England Annual Conference. Several singers of the church serve as song leaders with IMPACT, which is made up of electric guitar, electric bass, drums, and keyboard. If you are interested in being a part of IMPACT or would like to start an additional praise band please contact Pastor Elizabeth Kubota at music@firstumchurch.com.
Adult Hand Bell Choir - Good News Ringers
The hand bell ministry at First United Methodist Church was founded in 1984. The original choir had 8 ringers who played two octaves of hand bells (25 bells). Since that time, the choir has always been committed to enhancing worship through their music. They rehearse once a week and play in church about once a month. In addition, they have played at weddings, funerals, ecumenical services and other special occasions. Every December, they offer a Christmas Concert to the church and community. Over the years, the choir has grown to 12 or 13 ringers who play five octaves of hand bells. Cynthia Hamburger is their directorand she can be reached at bells@firstumchurch.com
Youth Hand Bell Choir
The First United Methodist Church offers two opportunities for youth to ring hand bells. The Carillon Ringers is for students in grades 4-6. Joyful Sound is for students in grades 6 through high school. Both groups rehearse on Tuesday evenings and play at church services about once a month. They also participate in the annual Christmas Hand bell Concerts. Cynthia Hamburger is their director and she can be reached at bells@firstumchurch.com
Music Appreciation Sunday
Music is important in the life of the church. Psalm 150 says, "Praise God in his sanctuary; Praise him with trumpet sound; Praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; Praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with clanging cymbals; Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!." This church lives the words of the Psalmist with 3 adult hand bell choirs, 2 youth hand bell choirs directed by Cynthia Hamburger and Alice Morrison; 2 flute choirs, a saxophone choir, individual instrumentalists and vocalists who share their talents, liturgical dancers, adult mixed and women's choirs, a praise band and a seasonal Sunday school choir. Once a year we celebrate the generous musical offerings by over 100 congregational members of all these God-given musical talents on a Sunday set aside as Music Appreciation Sunday.
