(215) 855-5489 | Worship every Sunday @ 10:15 a.m.
(215) 855-5489 | Worship every Sunday @ 10:15 a.m.
Learn about our music ministry and ensembles
Music at St John’s UCC takes a variety of forms; it has been and remains a vital part of our worship life. Our 10:15 am worship service incorporates a wide variety of sacred music from classical to traditional to contemporary, including a prelude and postlude on the organ or piano, hymns from The New Century Hymnal, sung prayer responses, our doxology, and selections by our choir and instrumental ensembles. You are invited to share your talents!
Chancel Choir helps to lead worship three to four times a month and practices every Wednesday at 7:30 pm. The choir presents a diverse collection of pieces ranging from the Renaissance to the 21st century, with composers of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and women represented, along with current and classical mainstays. For those singers who cannot make a weekly rehearsal and worship service commitment, there are opportunities for “friends” of the choir to join for seasonal or specific performances. There are also many opportunities for soloists or small groups to sing during worship, especially in the summer months.
In addition to our choir, St. John’s has a variety of instrumental ensembles that are featured in our Sunday service many times throughout the year, including our United Ringers Handbell Choir, brass and wind ensembles, and others, as well as a variety of soloists. Our music ministers are eager not only to share their musical gifts but also to encourage others to develop and share their musical gifts with the congregation.
Our children’s choir is led by Abbie Lampe, our Minister of Music for Children and Youth. It rehearses Sunday mornings during Connect3, our Sunday School program. Parents are welcome to participate!
Andrew Paulson serves the congregation of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Lansdale, Pennsylvania as Minister of Music and as St. John’s Artist Series Artistic Director. He is a pastoral musician, pianist, organist, conductor, and educator, holding degrees from Augustana University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and University of St. Thomas. Andrew, a passionate leader of congregational song, is also a solo artist, performing in the American Guild of Organists Philadelphia Chapter Tuesday Noon Recital Series, the Kenneth and Evelyn Hales Memorial Organ Recital Series, and the Longwood Gardens Organ Series (upcoming) and a collaborator, working with liturgical composers Michael Burkhardt and Ralph Johnson, Minneapolis/St. Paul based choral ensembles Magnum Chorum and Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus, and members of Philadelphia Ballet Orchestra and The Philly Pops.
Abbie Lampe began as our Minister of Music for Children and Youth in January, 2018. Abbie had recently returned to St. John’s and the Lansdale area to be the Director of Nursing at the Kirkbride Center in Philadelphia. Abbie has a degree in Music Education from West Chester University and many years of experience working with church youth and children’s choirs and Sunday School. Abbie’s passion for music education was evident in her interview sessions and this quote from her application “I believe music is an exciting way to engage children in learning, and a fun way to teach them about God. I consider it an honor to assist with this part of the music program at St. John’s.” During the COVID time, Abbie worked with the Children’s Choir to learn and present Zoom virtual choir performances!
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