Music & Worship Arts Ministry
At First United Methodist Church, our Music & Worship Arts Ministry is a way we come together to praise God, share the good news of Christ, and support one another in worship. Through music, liturgy, and the arts, we offer our gifts in service to God and to our congregation and community.
Rooted in the rich traditions of the Church and open to the movement of the Holy Spirit, our worship is both reverent and alive—honoring where we’ve been while thoughtfully engaging the present. Whether through familiar hymns, sacred choral works, or creative expressions of worship, we seek to create meaningful moments that draw people closer to God and to one another.
We believe worship is something we do together. Through scripture, song, prayer, and sacrament, we are shaped as disciples of Jesus Christ and sent into the world to love and serve. Music here is not a performance, but a shared offering—one that connects us across generations, backgrounds, and experiences. All are welcome to participate in the worship life of our church, whether by singing, ringing, playing, reading, creating, or supporting behind the scenes.
Get Involved
There are many ways to share your gifts in the worship life of our church, and people of all ages and experience levels are welcome. Whether you’ve been making music for years or are simply curious about getting involved, there is a place for you here.
Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir is our primary vocal ensemble for adults and high school youth. We rehearse weekly on Wednesdays from 6:30–7:45 p.m., September through May, and sing in worship most Sundays as well as for special services throughout the church year.
Rehearsals begin the Wednesday after Labor Day and continue through the weekend before Memorial Day. Our time together includes warm fellowship, meaningful devotionals, and a wide range of sacred music—from classical to contemporary, hymn-based to liturgical settings. No audition is required—just a love for worship and a willingness to be part of a caring, committed community.
Peals of Praise Adult Handbell Ensemble
Our Adult Handbell Ensemble offers a unique and joyful way to serve in worship through the expressive art of handbell ringing. We use up to three octaves of Schulmerich handbells and Suzuki handchimes and rehearse on Wednesdays from 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Each rehearsal includes shared prayer and devotion with the Chancel Choir, helping build strong relationships and a sense of shared purpose. Prior handbell experience or music-reading skills are helpful, but not required—we are glad to teach and encourage new ringers.
Soloists, Ensembles & Instrumentalists
Do you enjoy singing or playing an instrument? We regularly include soloists, small vocal groups, and instrumentalists of all kinds in worship. From offering special music to supporting congregational singing or enhancing seasonal services, there are many ways to share your musical gifts. Musicians of all backgrounds and experience levels are welcome.
Worship Leadership & Support Roles
Worship at FUMC is a collaborative effort that includes many visible and behind-the-scenes roles. Even if music isn’t your primary gift, there are meaningful ways to serve:
Liturgists – Lead scripture readings, prayers, and portions of the service
Altar Guild – Prepare the altar, seasonal decorations, and Communion elements
Ushers & Greeters – Offer a warm welcome, distribute bulletins, and assist worshippers
Acolytes & Crucifers – Assist with candles and processions (children and youth welcome)
Audio/Visual Technicians – Support sound, microphones, and recordings so worship is accessible
Communion Servers – Help share the Lord’s Supper in a reverent and welcoming way
Training is provided for all roles, and we are deeply grateful for those who offer their time and talents in worship leadership.
Seasonal Opportunities
We understand that year-round commitments aren’t possible for everyone. To make participation more flexible, we offer seasonal opportunities:
Summer Choir (June–August)
A relaxed, low-commitment way to stay involved! We meet 30 minutes before worship to learn a simple anthem to sing that morning. No robes, no weekday rehearsals—just come when you’re able.
Seasonal Choir (Advent–Christmas & Lent–Easter)
Join us during special seasons of the church year to help shape the worship experience during Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter—without a long-term commitment.
Join Us
Whether you’re interested in singing, ringing, reading scripture, preparing the altar, greeting worshippers, assisting with Communion, or supporting worship through technology, there is a place for you here.
The Music & Worship Arts Ministry is about more than music—it’s about community, shared faith, and offering who we are to the glory of God.
If you’d like to learn more or explore how to get involved, please contact Joshua Starnes, Director of Music & Worship Arts Ministry.
History of the Pipe Organ at FUMC
First United Methodist Church has maintained a presence in the Salisbury, North Carolina, community since its inception in 1783. In 1980, the church installed a new 3-manual and 53-rank Schantz organ (Op. 1590) in the sanctuary to replace the former organ installed when the current sanctuary was completed in 1963 (Op. 818). In 2001, Parkey Organ Builders removed all exposed pipework, covered exposed chest work, and sealed chamber openings while the sanctuary was being repainted. They also re-leathered all internal pipe valve actions and windchest primary actions.
By 2005, it was becoming clear that a recurring humidity problem was taking its toll on the organ. Chest action and pipe failures became more apparent. In 2008, the Board of Trustees signed a contract for the complete replacement of reed stops, 9 ranks in total, and an updated console. The console was returned to Parkey’s shop in Norcross, Georgia, during the summer of 2008 for complete refinishing and renovation. A new relay and capture system using Solid State Organ Systems components was installed. The capture action offered 100 levels of memory with Solid State Organ Systems’ “Any Piston Next” sequencer. The console’s internal dolly system for mobility had collapsed, rendering the console difficult for one person to move. That dolly system was restored and reinforced. New interior jambs of burled walnut housed the new drawknobs of ebony and maple woods. These complemented the new reverse color tracker touch keyboards with ebony naturals and maple sharps. Console renovations were completed in fall of 2008.
The original 1980 organ possessed a sound indicative of the 1960s and 70s neo-Baroque era. The organ favored a tone that was very bright but failed to fill the room and lead congregational singing. The fluework of the organ began showing its age in tonal regulation. Notes of inconsistent volume and slow-to-speak or off-speech pipes could be heard throughout the instrument. During the reparative regulation, we were able to foster a more fundamental bloom of tone. The exposed mixtures were relaxed and tamed as well. In a final analysis, Parkey was able to coax more color from the 8′ line of the ensemble and yet maintain a silvery clarity in sound. This project included increasing the scaling of the stops in proportion to the room. The French and German textures of sound for the reeds were maintained as originally set forth in the specification and the rebuild project was completed in the spring of 2009. (This instrument was featured on Pipedreams Episode #1041.)
In 2021, the Trustees noted some ongoing electrical issues occurring with the organ and the discovery of several leaks in some of the windchests. They began to investigate options for renovating and repairing the organ, including hybrid and digital options. By January 2023, an entire division became unreliable and after consulting a few organ firms, in the interest of stewardship, the decision was made to purchase a new Rodgers Infinity 489 from R. A. Daffer Organs, Inc. to replace the former Shantz/Parkey instrument. The new Rodgers features an antiphonal division and will allow additional versatility and customization to support the worship and music ministry for generations to come!