"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing." Psalms 100:1-2

The purpose of First Church's Music Ministry is to assist the congregation in the worship and praise of our God. Music is an integral part of both our 8:30 and 10:45 A.M. Traditional Worship Services and our 8:30 A.M. Contemporary Worship Service in the Sanctuary.

The choir year begins the Sunday after Labor Day and ends the last Sunday in June. Soloists and small musical groups provide music leadership during the 8:30 A.M. worship service each Sunday throughout the year and during the 10:45 Worship Service in the summer months.

First Church has been blessed with many musically talented members. These dedicated members form the nucleus of our Music Ministry.

Our adult choir, the Chancel Choir, consists of more than thirty singers fairly equally distributed among all sections (soprano, alto, tenor and bass). Musical selections include traditional hymns, music of classical composers and contemporary music, ranging from unison through eight-part harmony singing. Smaller groups formed from the Chancel Choir are the Men's Chorus and the Women's Chorus.

Accompaniment for the choral selections may include organ, piano, woodwind or brass instruments, as well as strings and drums.

The musicians are supported by our Choir Director, Mr. David Diehl and our Organist, Mike Baldwin. Mr. Diehl assumed his leadership responsibilities in September, 1999. He is a Music Educator in the Dallastown Area Schools and serves as their High School Orchestra Director. He also directs the York College of PA Orchestra, plays as a cellist in the York Symphony Orchestra, and teaches a number of private students. He has been directing church choirs for the past 12 years. Our Organist, Mike Baldwin, is an English teacher in the Dallastown Area School District. Collectively, he has now served for about 18 years. We also have been blessed with the gift of a new Allen Renaissance 370 Digital Organ in 1998.

Our Bell Choir, the "Jubilee Ringers" rounds out our Music Ministry. Barbara Rollman directs the twelve ringers in a variety of selections, playing bells from a Malmark 5-Octave Bell Set, as well as chimes from a 3-Octave Malmark Chime Set. The "Jubilee Ringers" also play one Sunday per month.

The Jubilee Ringers are (from left to right): Vickie Min, Bernetta Kile, Judy Deitch, Jennifer Llewellen, Dianne Hollinger, Sheryl Dierdorf, Barbara Rollman, Director, Ruth Schmidt, Jodi Yingling

and

Dan Snook, Judy Yingling, John Minnich and Roy Rollman.

Allen Organ

Malmark Bells

The American Guild of Handbell Ringers, Inc.

Menchey Music, Inc.