West End Baptist Church

Christmas Programs Add Meaning to Advent

On December 11th and 12th, under the direction of Matt Smith, the West End Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir presented the Cantata, "Noel:  Born is the King."  In two of the ten memorized anthems, the adult choir was assisted by children and youth vocalists who contributed duet and solo pieces supported by the choir.  Other children and youth participated in dramatic elements including an angelic announcement and the nativity scene complete with shepherds and wise men.  Narrated by SanDee Moore and April Gunn, the program reminded everyone that Christ came for all people.

While the first Noel was announced to shepherds near Bethlehem over two thousand years ago, the first Noel comes for any believer on the first Christmas following their decision to trust Jesus as Lord and Savior.  We pray that this Christmas season will bring joyful Noel blessings to  everyone in our community.

Music is an important part of the WEBC experience.  Our Sunday morning worship service offers a blend of traditional hymns and piano-led praise and worship music.  The church offers opportunities for adults, youth and childdren to be part of the music program.  Here is a quick summary of our music organization:

Adult Choir--Open to adults who love to sing and are willing to work hard to learn challenging music for presentation during Sunday morning worship.  We sing a variety of musical styles, from arrangements of traditional hymns to beautiful priase and worship ballads and even the "occasional" foot-tapping, hand-clapping number.  The Adult Choir meets to practice each Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM.

Youth Choir--This choir meets on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 just before the Adult Choir.  We have a great time singing praise & worship and other upbeat worship songs as an expression of our faith.

Junior Choir--All children in first through sixth grade are encouraged to participate in the Junior Choir.  Children get a great introduction to music and musical perforemance.  This choir rehearses from 6:30 to 7:00 PM each Wednesday evening.

Preschool Praisers--This choir, especially for the wee ones in preschool and kindergarten, meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 6:30 PM to learn to express themselves through song.  If you want you child to have fun, learn to sing with others, and to develop the most basic singing skills, then this is the place for your child to be on Wednesday evenings. 

Our Handbell Choirs
We have five full octaves of handbells and three octaves of handchimes. 

The West End Ringers--This advanced handbell choir plays a variety of styles of music ranging from classical to contemporary, including traditional Christian, but don't be surprised if you even hear a Disney tune!  Practice is held every Sunday evening from 4:30 to 5:30 PM.

The West End Crescendos--This intermediate handbell choir is for anyone who wants to ring--fifth grade through age 140!  Think you might like to ring those bells?  Come give it try.  We practice on Sunday evenings from 5:30 to 6:15 PM.

Children Chimes Choir--All children, ages first grade through sixth grade are invited to join the Children Chimes Choir.  In a fun-filled half hour, they are taught the basics of music including following notes, counting, and chime ringing.  Practice is from 6:00 to 6:30 PM on Wednesday evenings.

Just for your enjoyment:  "Amazing Grace" by Judy Collins