"Praise the Lord!  How good it is to sing praises to our God;

for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting...

Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;

make melody to our

God on the lyre."

-Psalm 147:1,7

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Taizé 

A Service of Sung Prayer in the beautiful

Westminster Chapel

Next Taizé Date: Sunday, September 28th

                   

About Taizé

Across the world and our country, among varied Christian communities, the Taizé worship movement is gaining strength.  Many are seeking a deeper, more meditative type of service. Taizé often helps meet those needs for worshipers who hear the still, small voice of God in periods of silence alternated with simple songs, prayers, and scripture. 

This meditative prayer service that had its' beginnings in Taizé, France, provides the worshiper an opportunity for self-examination and an opportunity to communicate with God in a quiet, personal setting.  It was originally begun to bring people together in unity after WWII. 

The service includes songs which are "sung prayers", scripture readings, and intercessory prayers from attenders.  Candles are used symbolically to represent Christ the light of the world and the light to our path.

(Click below)

The   Taize  Community

 

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Westminster Music Ministry Opportunities

                                            

Westminster is filled with the joy of music! 

There is a place for YOU in the music ministry. 

Take advantage of the exciting opportunity to

dedicate and develop your talent

and make music for the Lord!

 

Choirs and Instrumental Ensembles

2008 - 2009 Practice Schedules

Church Mice (3 years old- Kindergarten) Directors, Stephanie Dunakey/Carolyn Weichers Wednesday 6:00 pm - 6:25 pm during Discovery Night hour Messengers (1st - 5th grade Children's Choir) Director, Rev. Carol Teare Wednesday 4:45 pm - 5:30 pm LightShine (6th - 12th grade Youth choir) Director, Charissa Siler Wednesday 5:45 pm  - 6:45 pm Chancel Choir 9th Grade - Adult Choir Director, Rev. Carol Teare Wednesday 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Men's Chorus Director, Bruce Rempe Wednesday 6:30 pm- 7:20 pm Carillon Choir Youth Handbell Choir Director, Sofie Michalicek Wednesday 4:45 pm - 5:30 pm Westminster Chimes 3rd - 5th grade Bell Choir Director, Rev. Carol Teare Wednesday 4:00 pm- 4:40 pm Meisteringers Adult HandBell Choir Director, Mabel Rempe Wednesday 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm Contemporary Worship Team Director, Charissa Siler Practice On Weeknights W.I.G. 7th Grade - Adult Westminster Instrumental Group Director, Mike Michalicek Various Scheduled Times For more information email Rev. Carol Teare or call the office at (319) 234-5501

 

  

              

Music has long been a part of the rich history and program ministry of Westminster Presbyterian Church.  In addition to supporting and enriching the services of worship of this congregation, music at Westminster is viewed as a gift to be shared with the community. 

Music at Westminster is multi-generational in its scope, with particular emphasis placed on the music and worship education of children.  We seek to teach, uphold, and preserve the highest standard of integrity within the great and diverse traditions of music in the Christian church.

Opportunities for musical education, participation, and involvement are available for ages 3 through adults in a number of church choirs, ensembles and music learning environments, a listing of which appears at the start of this page.  Auditions are not required.                                                                           

Our Casavant-Freres

Dedicated to God's Glory

October 17, 2004

Casavant Specs

(Opus 3830)

47 rank, 36 stop

-Photography by Joel Harris

On that joyous morning in October 2004, Westminster

celebrated the completion of a dream. 

The three manual, 47 rank, 36 stop pipe organ, Opus 3830

was built by Casavant Freres in St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada. 

The instrument contains nearly 3,000 pipes and features a

French Romantic movable console made of walnut. 

Below are excerpts from that worship service in which the newly renovated chapel, sanctuary and new pipe organ were dedicated:

We call to you, O God, to send your Spirit among us.  Let the chapel be a place of prayer and contemplation, for the building up of your children, so that we may go out and spread your Gospel of peace and love to a world that waits for your Good News.  With prayerful hearts, we dedicate the chapel, O God.

We give you thanks, O God, for the strengths which have brought this day into being; the vision which came to dwell on this holy ground years ago; the laborers of the past whose memories we carry in our hearts, the duteous service of today's leaders and the people of God who would cast tomorrow's church.  In gratitude, we dedicate this sancturay, O God. 

Believing that God has ordained that music be used in this house of worship as an expression of God's praise, we present this instrument to your glory and service.  We dedicate this organ, O God. 

Praying with humble hearts, we offer this instrument and this holy sanctuary and chapel for the service of your Word and the spreading of your gospel.