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 2025

Hosanna! Singers (K – 2nd Grade)

beginning February 23
Weekly Rehearsals: Sundays, 4:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Sunday Rehearsals: 9:45 a.m. – when scheduled to share for worship.

Our Hosanna! Singers gather to sing and move to music while growing in faith, love, and kindness! They will share for worship in March and April.

Alleluia! Singers (3rd – 5th Grade)

beginning February 23
Weekly Rehearsals: Sundays, 11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Sunday Rehearsals: 9:45 a.m. – when scheduled to share for worship.

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

Agape Singers (6th – 8th Grade)

beginning February 23
Weekly Rehearsals: Sundays, 11:30 – 12 p.m.
Sunday Rehearsals: 9:45 a.m. – when scheduled to share for worship. Other rehearsals as scheduled.

Our Agape Singers spread God’s love through singing and share strong musical leadership for worship. They sometimes sing by themselves and other times with one of our other choirs. They will share for worship in March and April.

Bell Choir (Adults)

Beginning February 12
Wednesdays, 10:15 – 11:30 a.m.
Sunday Rehearsals: 9:00 a.m. – when scheduled to share for worship.

Our Bell Choir rings for worship about once a month. The ensemble always welcomes short- and long-term substitutes who enjoy ringing for rehearsals and worship.

Chancel Choir (Adults)

Thursdays, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Sunday Rehearsals: 9:30 a.m.

Our Chancel Choir leads the congregation in song on Sundays through the beginning of June. This spring, the choir will share an afternoon concert for the community, led by sacred music composer and organist Mark Miller.

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 17, 2025

  • April 17, 20256:30 pm - 7:15 pm

    Maundy Thursday Potluck Supper (Fellowship Hall)

    On this holy evening, we will gather in Fellowship Hall as a church family for food and fellowship. All are invited to bring a dish for the buffet and to gather around tables for a shared meal. Please click here to RSVP so that we may plan well.

  • April 17, 20257:15 pm - 7:45 pm

    Maundy Thursday Communion (Fellowship Hall)

    From our time of fellowship, we will shift to a brief service of communion, recalling the last Passover meal Jesus shared with his disciples and observing the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper at our dinner tables. Following Communion, those attending the Service of Tenebrae will process to the Sanctuary in silence.

  • April 17, 20257:45 pm - 8:45 pm

    Tenebrae Service (Sanctuary and Live Stream)

    A Service of Tenebrae is a Service of Shadows, moving methodically through the final stages of Jesus’ life and ending finally at the cross. Passages of scripture, music, and prayer are each followed by the extinguishing of light, until the entire sanctuary is in darkness. We depart in quiet for the vigil of loss and expectation.

  • April 17, 20258:00 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.

  • April 17, 2025

    Maundy Thursday

April 18, 2025

  • April 18, 20251:00 pm - 2:00 pm

    Labyrinth Walk (begin at Garden entrance/Loeffler Chapel in case of rain)

    On Good Friday we are pleased to offer a labyrinth walk led by a trained labyrinth facilitator. The session will begin with a brief introduction to this meditative practice for those who are new to praying in this way, and will be offered rain or shine, thanks to the canvas labyrinth that we are able to set up indoors.

April 20, 2025

  • April 20, 20257:00 am - 8:00 am

    Easter Worship in the Garden (Memorial Garden & Labyrinth)

    This is a joyful early morning celebration of the resurrection held in the Memorial Garden.  We come with the women to the tomb and peer in. Among the new day light, the trees, and the early morning birds, we raise our alleluias! 

  • April 20, 20257:45 am - 8:30 am

    Easter Breakfast (Fellowship Hall)

    Christ is Risen! Shout Hosanna! Celebrate this day of days over a cup of coffee or tea and a light breakfast that features communion bread pudding.

  • April 20, 20258:15 am - 9:00 am

    Choir rehearsal (Sanctuary)

    Sunday morning preparation for worship.

  • April 20, 20259:00 am - 10:00 am

    Easter Worship (Sanctuary and Livestream)

    These Easter services are joy-filled celebrations of the resurrection of our Lord. All are encouraged to bring flowers to adorn the cross! Our Easter cross is fashioned from the Chrismon tree, stripped bare for Lent, and adorned with flowers — signs of new life — on Easter morning. Musical traditions include the sounds of brass and the singing of Händel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” Those who have lost a close friend or family member this year are invited after worship to take home one of the potted lilies that adorn the Sanctuary this morning. There is festive fellowship for all in Fellowship Hall between the two services.

  • April 20, 20259:20 am - 10:00 am

    Godly Play (Godly Play room)

    Following "Time with Children" (which happens just before the Sermon) children age 3 through 5th grade are invited to attend Godly Play, a Montessori-based method that engages children through their innate meaning-making language: Play.

  • April 20, 202510:00 am - 11:00 am

    Easter Fellowship (Fellowship Hall)

    Hallelujah!  He is Risen!  Our Parish Life team provides beverages and cookies this morning in between services 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 20, 202511:00 am - 12:00 pm

    Easter Worship (Sanctuary)

    These Easter services are joy-filled celebrations of the resurrection of our Lord. All are encouraged to bring flowers to adorn the cross! Our Easter cross is fashioned from the Chrismon tree, stripped bare for Lent, and adorned with flowers — signs of new life — on Easter morning. Musical traditions include the sounds of brass and the singing of Händel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.” Those who have lost a close friend or family member this year are invited after worship to take home one of the potted lilies that adorn the Sanctuary this morning. There is festive fellowship for all in Fellowship Hall between the two services.

  • April 20, 202511:20 am - 12:00 pm

    Godly Play (Godly Play room)

    Following "Time with Children" (which happens just before the Sermon) children age 3 through 5th grade are invited to attend Godly Play, a Montessori-based method that engages children through their innate meaning-making language: Play.

BACK TO TOP