Music is a gift from God to be used to express ourselves to God, for God to express himself to us and for our enjoyment.

Purpose:
The purpose of the music ministry of First Baptist Church is to help people to encounter God in a number of ways.
1. Music helps individuals to express praise, thanks, confession and petition to God.
2. Music, as a medium, communicates the Good News God has for us through Jesus Christ.
3. Music helps to unite individuals in fellowship and corporate worship.
4. Music helps individuals to reflect and meditate during personal times of devotion.
5. Music helps to enhance biblical and theological truths.

Stewardship:
We are to be good stewards of this gift and use it to glorify God.

Congregation
The congregation has a unique opportunity to use music in corporate worship to unite our voices in praise, thanksgiving, confession and petition.  To hear the love, grace and mercy of God proclaimed through music.  To hear the testimony of others expressed through music and to learn theological truths enhanced by music.

Sanctuary Choir
The Sanctuary Choir leads regularly in corporate worship.  In addition, they participate in special worship emphases throughout the year.  One of the highlights of the year is the annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in December.

Senior Adult Choir
The Senior Adult Choir leads in corporate worship periodically.  The Senior Adult Choir also sings regularly at nursing homes and assisted living facilities.  The Senior Adult Choir also spends time together in fellowship.

Youth Choir
The youth choir leads in corporate worship periodically.  The youth choir also uses music as a medium for other ministry opportunities.

Children's Choirs
The children’s choirs are designed to help develop musical skills and learn about the use of music in worship and other ministry opportunities.  Some children’s choirs lead in corporate worship and provide music for special occasions.

Handbells
Handbells provide an opportunity for individuals of all ages to use and develop music skills.  Handbell groups provide music to enhance regular corporate worship and other special occasions.

Sunday

Sanctuary Ringers

6:00 p.m.

Music  Suite

Wednesday

Senior Adult Choir	4:30 p.m.	Music Suite
Joyful Singers	6:30 p.m.	Room 206
Chancel Choristers	6:30 p.m.	Music Suite
Sanctuary Choir	7:30 p.m.	Music Suite

Sunday

Youth Choir

5:15 p.m.

Music Suite

All choirs, except the Sanctuary Choir, meet from the Wednesday after Labor Day through May.  The Sanctuary Choir meets every month except July.

Lessons and Carols had its origin at Truro Cathedral in England on Christmas Eve 1880, when a service of scripture and supporting carols was developed by the Bishop of Truro, F.W. Benson.  Thirty-eight years later in 1918 this format was adapted for Christmas Eve at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, England.  It has grown in popularity over the years and is now celebrated in cathedrals and small churches throughout the world.  The heart of the service continues to this day -- that is, the retelling of the Christian’s story of faith from the fall of Adam to the coming of the Word Incarnate.

Nine Lessons and Carols has been a tradition at First Baptist Church for more than 30 years now and continues to be a highlight of the Christmas Season.