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

March 28, 2024
  • March 28, 20246:30 pm - 7:15 pm

    Maundy Thursday Potluck Supper (Fellowship Hall)

    We gather as a church family to share supper together before worship.  Could you please provide a dish to feed 8-10?  Please bring your dish, including serving utensils, ready to be served, and add it directly to the serving tables in Fellowship Hall.  Please provide a list of ingredients if possible; this is helpful to anyone with allergies.  Labels for gluten-free offerings are particularly appreciated.

  • March 28, 20247:15 pm - 7:45 pm

    Maundy Thursday Communion (Fellowship Hall)

    After supper together we will transition into a communion service around shared tables that echoes the meal that Jesus shared with his friends on the night he was betrayed and arrested.  Communion will be served by intinction.  From here, we move then in silence to the Sanctuary to observe a Service of Tenebrae.

  • March 28, 20247:45 pm - 8:30 pm

    Tenebrae Service (Sanctuary)

    A Service of Tenebrae is also 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 the extinguishing of light, until the entire sanctuary is in darkness.  We depart in quiet for the vigil of loss and expectation.

  • March 28, 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.

March 29, 2024
  • March 29, 20242:00 pm - 3:00 pm

    Labyrinth Walk (begin at Garden entrance)

    You are invited this Good Friday to find some time for reflection and meditation using the ancient spiritual practice of walking a labyrinth.  This will begin with a time of gathering and centering.  The walking of the labyrinth will be in silence, after which participants are invited to meet for reflection and a blessing.  The experience will be led by Harriet Henderson, a labyrinth facilitator.

  • March 29, 2024

    Good Friday

March 30, 2024
  • March 30, 202411:00 am - 12:00 pm

    Easter choir rehearsal (Sanctuary)

    Special rehearsal in preparation for Easter Sunday!

March 31, 2024
  • March 31, 20247:00 am - 8:00 am

    Easter Worship in the Garden (Memorial Garden)

    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! 

  • March 31, 20247:45 am - 8:30 am

    Easter Breakfast (Fellowship Hall)

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

  • March 31, 20248:00 am - 8:45 am

    Choir rehearsal (Sanctuary)

    Sunday morning preparation for worship

  • March 31, 20249:00 am - 10:00 am

    Easter Worship (Sanctuary and Livestream)

    This service embodies a classic worship tradition. Biblical and faithful preaching bring God’s Word to life. Musical leadership comes through the Chancel Choir and our pipe organ and for Easter includes a brass ensemble. Bring a flower for the cross!

  • March 31, 202410:00 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!

  • March 31, 202411:00 am - 12:00 pm

    Easter Worship (Sanctuary)

    This service embodies a classic worship tradition. Biblical and faithful preaching bring God’s Word to life. Musical leadership comes through the Chancel Choir and our pipe organ and for Easter includes a brass ensemble. Bring a flower for the cross!