Ash Wednesday Service

First Presbyterian's annual Ash Wednesday service takes place on February 17th at 6 PM in the Fellowship Hall. The deacons will serve a simple meal of bread and soup. Following the meal, the service will include the sacrament of Holy Communion and the imposition of ashes (for those who choose).

Parents of children in the junior choir: please remember that the children are singing at this service. Please have your child at the church by 5:45 for a warmup in the music room.

February music list posted

Music list for choral services (11:00 unless otherwise noted)


Feb. 7 – 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Women of the Chancel Choir
Introit: Dulcis Christe (Michaelangelo Grancini, 1605-1669)
Anthem: Wir Eilen Mit Schwachen, Cantata 78 (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)
Postlude: Finale, Concerto in a minor (A. Vivaldi, 1678-1741, arr. Bach)

Feb. 14 – The Transfiguration of the Lord
Chancel Choir
Introit: Oculi Omnium (Charles Wood, 1866-1926)
Anthem: Thine, O Lord, is the Greatness (James Kent, 1700-1776)
Postlude: Te Deum Laudaumus (Dietrich Buxtehude, 1637-1707)

Feb. 17 – Ash Wednesday Communion Service (6:00 PM)
Junior Choir
Anthem: Jesus, Refuge of the Weary (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)

Feb. 21 – 1st Sunday in Lent
Chancel Choir & Liberty Bells
Introit: O Salutaris Hostia (Alexandre Guilmant, 1837-1911)
Kyrie Eleison: Mass for Four Voices (William Byrd, 1540-1623)
Offertory: Sweet Hour of Prayer (arr. Sondra Tucker)
Postlude: Prelude in g minor, BWV 535 (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)

Feb. 28 – 2nd Sunday in Lent
Junior Choir
Prelude: Improvisation, from Suite Médiévale (Jean Langlais, 1907-1991)
Anthem: Christ Went Up Into the Hills Alone (Roberta Bitgood, 1908-2007)
Postlude: Fughetta in d minor (Healey Willan, 1880-1968)

Meeting for Parents of Youth

Kevin Dill would like to invite parents of youth in grades 6-12 to a meeting to discuss ideas for reviving a music program for that age group. This meeting will be next Sunday, the 17th, in the library following the 11:00 service. Youth are welcome to attend the meeting as well. Your support is important in order for us to plan successful programs!

January music list posted

Music list for choral services (11:00 unless otherwise noted)


Jan. 3 – 2nd Sunday after Christmas
Chancel Choir
Introit: A New Year Carol (Benjamin Britten, 1913-1976)
Anthem: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)
Postlude: March (Henry Purcell, 1659-1695, arr. C.H. Trevor)

Jan. 10 – The Baptism of the Lord
Chancel Choir
Introit: Divinum Mysterium (plainsong, mode V)
Anthem: This is the Hour of Banquet and of Song (Alfred Fedak, b.1953)
Postlude: Fugue in C, BWV 545 (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)

Jan. 17 – 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Chancel Choir
Introit: Lead Me, Lord (Samuel Sebastian Wesley, 1810-1876)
Anthem: The Wings of the Morning (Alice Parker, b.1925)
Postlude: Postlude in G (Charles Villiers Stanford, 1852-1924)

Jan. 24 – 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Junior Choir & Chancel Choir
Introit: I To the Hills Lift Up Mine Eyes (Jean Berger, 1909-2002)
Anthem: Lord, Lead Us Day By Day (G.F. Handel, 1685-1759, arr.Hopson)
Postlude: Allein Gott in der Höh Sei Ehr (Georg Böhm, 1661-1733)

Jan. 31 – 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Chancel Choir & Liberty Bells
Introit: Richard de Castre’s Prayer to Jesus (R.R. Terry, 1865-1938)
Offertory: Marche Pontificale (Charles Gounod, 1818-1893, arr. Dill)
Postlude: Dum Esset Rex, from 15 Antiphons (Marcel Dupré, 1886-1971)

Christmas Organ Recital

An annual tradition continues at First Presbyterian Church as Music Director Kevin Dill presents a holiday-themed organ recital on Tuesday, December 15 at 11:45 AM. The program of about thirty minutes will offer a variety of selections sure to get the audience in the Christmas spirit, including works spanning two continents and three centuries.

This recital is presented as part of First Presbyterian’s “Lunch At First” series, which hosts speakers on a variety of topics on the third Tuesday of the month. Admission to the recital is free, with lunch available afterwards for a cost of $4.

December Music List Posted

Music list for choral services (11:00 unless otherwise noted)

Dec. 6. – 2nd Sunday in Advent: An Advent Service of Lessons & Carols
Chancel Choir & Liberty Bells
Carol: The Truth from Above (arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958)
Carol: Thou Shalt Know Him When He Comes (Kevin Dill)
Offertory: O Come, O Come Emmanuel (arr. Cynthia Dobrinski)
Canticle: Magnificat in f minor (Charles Wood, 1866-1926)
Postlude: Postlude in D (Denis Bédard, b.1950)

Dec. 13 – 3rd Sunday in Advent
Junior Choir & Chancel Choir
Introit: Thou Shalt Know Him When He Comes (Kevin Dill)
Anthem: Ding Dong! Merrily on High (arr. Sir David Willcocks, b.1919)
Postlude: Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland (J. S. Bach, 1685-1750)

Dec. 20 – 4th Sunday in Advent
Liberty Bells
Introit: Ecce Virgo Concipiet (plainsong, mode i)
Offertory: Two Polish Carols (arr. Kenneth Danchik)
Postlude: Herr Christ, der Einig Gottes Sohn (J. S. Bach, 1685-1750)

Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (11:00 PM)
Chancel Choir
Introit: I Wonder As I Wander (Appalachian Carol)
Anthem: All This Time (Sir William Walton, 1902-1983)
Anthem: Gesu Bambino (Pietro Yon, 1886-1943)
Choral Response: Gloria in Excelsis Deo (Antonio Vivaldi, 1678-1741)
Postlude: Finale from Symphony II (Charles-Marie Widor, 1844-1937)

Dec. 27 – 1st Sunday after Christmas (Combined 10:00 AM service this week)
Chancel Choir
Introit: Puer Natus in Bethlehem (plainsong, mode i)
Anthem: Unto Us a Child is Born (arr. Geoffrey Shaw, 1879-1943)
Postlude: Toccata on “Il Est Né, Le Divin Enfant” (Denis Bédard, b.1950)

Holiday Bell Concert

The third annual “Ring Those Holiday Bells” concert will take place on Friday, Dec. 4 at 7:00 PM at the Saegertown Methodist church, 620 Euclid Avenue. The Liberty Bells of First Presbyterian will be performing along with other local handbell choirs, singers, and instrumentalists. The program consists of holiday-themed music, with an opportunity for the audience to sing along. Last year's concert drew a full house, so come early to get a good seat!