Music at Third Reformed Church
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word and deed, do everything in the name of our Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.(Colossians 3:16-17 NRSV).
Music has always been an important part of worship at Third Reformed Church. At Third Church, we acknowledge that music is a God-given gift that uplifts and edifies the worshipper. The music included in our worship is never a “performance,” but rather, is a gift given back to God out of gratitude for his gift to us. When the gift is returned to God, he is honored and glorified as the Lord of our lives.
God has abundantly gifted many members of our congregation with musical ability and we regularly invite new members to share their gifts by joining our music ministry. Our extensive music ministry includes choral and handbell ensembles for all ages from young children to adults. The Robert L. Sipe organ, installed in 1982, is a 40-rank three manual mechanical action instrument. In addition to this marvelous instrument, we also regularly use piano, timpani, and solo instrumentalists in worship services.
Our music ministry staff includes Linda Kay Strouf, Minister of Music, Director of Matins and Sanctuary Choirs, Director of Handbell Choir and Organist, Mary Van Voorst, Children’s and Youth Choir Director, and Libby Skaff, High School Choir Director. To learn more about each of these individual ensembles, please click on the high-lighted ensemble name.
The entire music ministry staff encourages you to become an active part in our choirs. Whether your talent is great or small, whether your age is young or old, there is a place for you in a choir at Third Reformed Church.