Holy Week music list posted

Apr. 1 – Maundy Thursday Communion Service (7:30 PM)
Chancel Choir; Audrey Slote, cello
Introit: Christus Factus Est (José Maurício Nuñes García, 1767-1830)
Communion: Andante, Gamba Sonata in D (J. S. Bach, 1685-1750)
Anthem: He Was Despised (Karl Heinrich Graun, 1704-1759)


Apr. 2 – Good Friday Tenebrae Service (12:00 noon)
Sponsored by the Meadville Area Ministerial Association
Audrey Slote, cello
Introit: Kyrie Orbis Factor (plainsong, mode I)
Interlude: Andante, from Gamba Sonata in D (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)


Apr. 4 – Easter Sunday (9:00 & 11:00 AM)
Liberty Bells & Chancel Choir; Jennifer Dearden, trumpet
Preservice Music: Toccata in C, BWV 564 (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)
Prelude: Peal for 13 Handbells (Richard Proulx, 1937-2010)
Anthem: Most Glorious Lord of Life (William H. Harris, 1883-1973)
Offertory Interlude: Festival Interlude (Kevin Dill)
Choral Response: Alleluia (Andrea Gabrieli, 1510-1586)
Postlude: Finale, from Symphony II (Charles-Marie Widor, 1844-1937)

Bach 325: an anniversary celebration

Sonatas, Suites, and other instrumental works

Juanita Shutsa, flute
Audrey Slote, cello
Jennifer Dearden, trumpet
Kevin Dill, organ and piano

Sunday, March 28, 3:00 PM
First Presbyterian Church
890 Liberty St, Meadville

free admission

March music list posted

Mar. 7 – 3rd Sunday in Lent
Chancel Choir
Introit: Try Me, O God (James Nares, 1715-1783)
Anthem: What Wondrous Love is This (arr. William Witherup, b. 1945)
Postlude: Pater Noster (Denis Bédard, b.1950)

Mar. 14 – 4th Sunday in Lent
Liberty Bells & Chancel Choir
Introit: Richard de Castre’s Prayer to Jesus (R. R. Terry, 1864-1938)
Offertory: Interlude (Eugene Butler, b.1935)
Postlude: Fugue in G (Felix Mendelssohn, 1809-1847)

Mar. 21 – 5th Sunday in Lent – music director on vacation

Mar. 28 – Palm Sunday
Junior Choir & Gentlemen of the Chancel Choir
Introit: Pueri Hebraeorum (plainsong, mode i)
Anthem: On Humble Beast Now Rides the King (Hal Hopson, b.1933)
Postlude: Valet Will Ich Dir Geben (J. S. Bach, 1685-1750)

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)