Music Ministry

The ministry of music at SPC (Swarthmore Presbyterian Church) joyfully engages people of all ages in singing, ringing handbells, and playing an instrument. Our choirs are growing and seek to develop a collective sense of community that enables us to share God’s love with another, our congregation, and our community. We invite you to join us!

Choirs for Winter & Spring 2024

› Hosanna! Singers (Ages 5-7)

Our Hosanna! Singers gather to sing, listen, and move together while growing in faith, love, and kindness. Each class concludes with a craft that further enriches the day’s lesson and develops a sense of community as a group.

Music Class: Sundays, 4:30 – 5:00 pm / Craft 5:00 – 5:30 pm

› Alleluia! Singers (Ages 8 – 10)

Our Alleluia! Singers deepen their sense of discipleship and faith through singing and develop their capacity for strong musical leadership for worship.

Rehearsals: Sundays, 11:30 am – noon (as scheduled)

› Jubilate! Ringers (Ages 8 – 13)

Our Jubilate! Ringers love to experience the joy of ringing hand chimes and handbells together as an ensemble and delight in sharing the beauty of their music for worship.

Rehearsals: Sundays, 11:30 am – Noon (as scheduled)

› Agape Singers (Ages 11-13)

Our Agape Singers love to sing about God’s love and to share this message with our congregation for worship. They sometimes sing by themselves and other times in collaboration with one of our other choirs.

Rehearsals: Sundays, 11:30 am – Noon (as scheduled)

› Bell Choir (Adults)

Our Bell Choir loves to share handbell music for worship about once a month. The group welcomes substitutes on a regular basis who ring occasionally for rehearsals and worship.

Rehearsals: Thursdays, 10:15 – 11:15 am

› Chancel Choir (Adults)

Our Chancel Choir looks forward to leading the congregation in song on Sundays, September – June and feels joy twice a year sharing special music presentations for the greater Swarthmore community. This spring, the Choir will present Paul Winter’s “Missa Gaia” on April 28.

Rehearsals: Thursdays, 7:30 – 9:00 pm

› Roster of Instrumentalists and Singers

This is a roster of instrumentalists and singers who enjoy participating every once in a while as soloists or in a small ensemble for Worship in the Chapel or Sanctuary, for special services like Taize, and for informal music-making opportunities like the Advent Carol Sing. You are invited to add your name to the roster by contacting Meghan Meloy Ness, Minister of Music at meghan.meloy.ness@swarthmorepres.org. Music-makers in every generation are welcome!

For more information, please reach out to Meghan Meloy Ness, Minister of Music, at Meghan.meloy.ness@swarthmorepres.org.

The Value of Music for Worship

Contact Us! We Would Love to Hear From You

Upcoming Events

April 25, 2024

  • April 25, 202410:15 am - 11:15 am

    Bell Choir rehearsal (Loeffler Chapel)

    Weekly rehearsals to prepare music for sharing in worship once a month.
    Interested?  Contact Minister of Music, Meghan Meloy Ness.

  • April 25, 20247:30 pm - 9:00 pm

    Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Fellowship Hall)

    Weekly rehearsal to prepare for music for offering in worship Sunday mornings.  New singers always welcome! 
    Led by Minister of Music, Meghan Meloy Ness.

  • April 25, 20248:00 pm - 9:30 pm

    AA (McCahan Hall)

    Swarthmore Presbyterian Church welcomes AA participants to weekly meetings in McCahan Hall. Entrance is via a door on the west end of the parking lot (across from the ABC House) under a covered walkway there.
    For those who are fully vaccinated against COVID, masks are optional. For those not yet fully vaccinated, or working with children, masks are required. Seating/distancing is at the comfort level of the individuals attending.

April 27, 2024

  • April 27, 202410:00 am - 12:00 pm

    Missa Gaia concert rehearsal (Sanctuary)

    Joint rehearsal for singers and instrumentalists preparing for Sunday afternoon's concert.

April 28, 2024

  • April 28, 20248:00 am - 9:00 am

    Early Worship (Loeffler Chapel)

    This 45-minute service allows worshippers to engage with scripture through guided discussion in lieu of a sermon. Communion is served on the 1st Sunday of each month.

  • April 28, 20249:30 am - 10:00 am

    Choir rehearsal (Sanctuary)

    Sunday morning preparation for worship

  • April 28, 202410:15 am - 11:15 am

    Lord's Day Worship (Sanctuary and Livestream)

    SPC's Lord’s Day services embody a classic reformed worship tradition. The Word is proclaimed through liturgy, song, and preaching. Scriptures are generally read by lay liturgists. Music leadership is anchored by our choir. Our pastors share leadership and preaching responsibilities from week to week. Communion is offered on the 1st Sunday of each month.

    Services are livestreamed via YouTube beginning at 10:15 a.m. Sunday morning.

  • April 28, 202411:15 am - 12:00 pm

    Sunday Fellowship (Fellowship Hall)

    Our Parish Life team provides beverages and snacks every Sunday following the 10:15 worship service and invites everyone to enjoy one another's company in Fellowship Hall. Please make a point of saying hello to someone you don't yet know!

  • April 28, 202411:30 am - 12:30 pm

    Alleluia! Singers (Loeffler Chapel)

    Our Alleluia! Singers develop their capacity for strong musical leadership for worship while deepening their sense of discipleship. All children ages 8-10 are welcome here.

  • April 28, 20244:00 pm - 5:00 pm

    Missa Gaia Concert (Sanctuary)

    All are invited to this choral concert celebrating the beauty of the earth, featuring Paul Winter’s Earth Mass, or “Missa Gaia.” The Swarthmore Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir, Agape Singers, and Alleluia! Singers, under the direction of Meghan Meloy Ness, will be joined by soloist Liz Seymour, guest choristers from the community, and an instrumental ensemble made up of professional musicians and church members. 
    This concert is shared as a gift to the community, in celebration of all of creation. A free-will offering will be accepted and a reception will follow.

  • April 28, 20244:00 pm - 5:30 pm

    High School Youth Group (Sanctuary)

    High Schoolers gather Sunday afternoons for play, fellowship, service, and learning. 
    Today we are attending the Missa Gaia concert!
    All are welcome.  We will enjoy dinner, shared with middle schoolers, at 5:30.  Weekly notes about plans for the upcoming Sunday are shared by text from Rev. David Norse Thomas. The registration form is available here: Youth Registration 2023-24

  • April 28, 20244:00 pm - 5:30 pm

    Middle School Youth Group (Sanctuary)

    Middle Schoolers gather Sunday afternoons for play, fellowship, service, and learning. 
    Today we are attending the Missa Gaia concert!

     All are welcome.  We conclude with dinner, shared with high schoolers.  Suggested donation $5.00.
    Weekly notes about plans for the upcoming Sunday are shared by text from Rev. David Norse Thomas. The registration form is available here: Youth Registration 2023-24

  • April 28, 20245:00 pm - 5:30 pm

    Concert reception (Fellowship Hall)

    All who enjoyed this afternoon's concert are invited to share some light refreshments and one another's company.

April 30, 2024

  • April 30, 202412:30 pm - 5:00 pm

    Presbytery Meeting (Thompson Memorial Pres)

    Quarterly stated meeting of the Presbytery of Philadelphia. All Commissioners are invited to attend.
    Information available here: Presbytery Meeting