The Angel Choir Celebrates the New Year
After a two-week break, members of the Angel Choir gathered at the Hire home on Sunday to sight-read fresh music for the new semester, participate in the traditional gingerbread house decorating contest, and enjoy a video recounting the choir’s 2024 Summer Singing Tour. The music was great, the mood was enthusiastic, and the decibel level reached new heights. We had a ball, and we’re ready to sing this spring!
Holiday Thank you!
Many thanks to all the amazing musicians that contribute their time and talents to making music here at First Presbyterian. My heart is full as I look back at the last year. From Chancel Choir’s wonderful performance of three major choral works and weekly anthems , to the bell choirs hard work in conventions and monthly anthems.
We have so much to be joyful for this holiday season.
A very big and heartfelt thank you to all the music staff. The always wonderful Joy and Jack Hire and all the work they do with Angel Choir and keeping our live stream going as well as their incredible work teaching young singers the joy of singing in a church choir.
Along with Joy and Jack is the hard and dedicated work of Meredith Needham at the piano not only for The Angel Choir but her willingness to play for Chancel on a week when there’s a lot to conduct. Thank you.
Aaron Wilburn continues to get joyful sounds from the Children’s Choir every month through the church/school year. Looking forward to many more Sunday mornings as the kids raise their voice in song.
Ecumenical Worship Service
Sunday, December 28, 10:00 AM, Centenary United Methodist Church
On the Sunday after Christmas, First Presbyterian Church will join together with our friends across the street for a joint worship service at Centenary United Methodist Church, with their new pastor Bob Baugher preaching. Staff from our church will also be involved in the service. The service will be livestreamed.
Festivo Bells and the James Cancer Center
This past Monday, December 15, the Festivo bells packed up 5 of our 6 octaves and headed into Columbus for our third annual concert at the James Cancer Center. We played music from Walking Tour and from earlier in the fall. The folks that listened were doctors and nurses, folks getting chemotherapy in the area above where we played and all the friends and family of those patients battling cancer.
One of the highlights was to see as we looked up at the folks watching and listening over the railing above us, one of the patients held up a sign declaring: You are ALL Angels.
This brief hour of outreach has come to mean so much to us as ringers and we are looking forward to our 4th annual trip next December.
If you missed us Tuesday morning on the morning news CBS channel we did get a shout out and they played a brief clip of Festivo playing. There is a series called Heather Pick which highlights the performances at the James. Here’s a link to check it out.
“Messiah” by George Frideric Handel
10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025
Presented by the Chancel Choir and accompanied by a string orchestra, the choir is excited to present this timeless and exultant work. Hear the voice of the prophets and the choirs of angels announce the birth to the shepherds. Considered one of the great musical works of all time, this performance is a wonderful way to celebrate the season.
Angel Choir News
The Angel Choir will offer special music in worship this Sunday, December 14, presenting the timely and beautifully expressive anthem, “A Prayer for Advent” by J. Paul Williams and Douglas Nolan. Also, Joy is taking pre-orders for the choir’s new Christmas audio collection, soon to be released as both a digital download and on CD. This project serves as the primary fundraiser for the choir’s 2026 summer singing tour. To reserve your copy, please contact Joy at joyhire@gmail.com or 740-328-9696. We are grateful for your faithful support of The Angel Choir!
With thanks
A most sincere thank you to all the musicians who made the Christmas Candlelight Walking Tour the success that it was. For two hours this past Saturday evening; choral ensembles , bell choirs , string quartets and chamber groups and the always delightful Common Thread provided fantastic music of the Christmas Season. As Wallace said in his opening remarks, we had everything from George Friderick Handel to George Strait. It definitely took a village to make it all happen.
A big shout out to Chancel Choir and their always glorious rich sound; JuBellee making their first appearance at Walking Tour, the great bell quartet and always wonderful Festivo Bells. A special thank you to Sue Larson who led the Newark Granville Youth Symphony thru three beautiful Christmas tunes. Common Thread was, as always, a fantastic performance.
All of this was followed by Angel Choir and so many friends. Joy Hire led the always heavenly sounds of the Angel Choir and prepared Denison Hilltoppers and Ladies’ Night Out to outstanding performances. Angels We Have Heard on High was majestic and beautifully accompanied by ETHEL string quartet and friends.
All in all it was a wonderful evening.
Thank you all!
Enjoy this encore performance of Rockin Around the Christmas Tree.
Christmas Carol Sing this Sunday, December 14.
This Sunday, during the morning prelude, we will have an opportunity to sing all your favorite Christmas Carols. We will begin at 9:53am and sing til we run out of carols to sing or time to sing them ! Take this time to think what your favorite Christmas Carol is that will also be in our amazing hymnal. See you Sunday morning!
2025 Poinsettia Order Form
Orders may be placed online at www.granpres.org/give or by e-mailing the information below to Patty Hussey in the church office: phussey@granpres.org
Each plant is $10.00, and orders will be accepted through Monday, December 15.
Please provide the following information EXACTLY how you would like your dedication to be printed in the Poinsettia Bulletin.
Your Name (or Group Name):
Phone Number:
Dedication:
Select one: In Memory of OR In Honor of
Thank you for helping to make our chancel beautiful for Christmas Eve!
Angel Choir Offers First New Audio Collection in 10 Years
Our Angel Choir’s new recording of Christmas music will be available soon, both on CD and as a digital download.
Joy Hire will be taking pre-order reservations for this exciting release immediately following worship on December 7 and 14 in the church sanctuary.
Angel Choir members, along with several talented friends of the group, have recorded this inspiring new collection of favorite Christmas carols and sacred anthems as a special fundraiser for next summer’s Singing Tour to New England.
The Angels are excited for you to be able to listen to their music whenever and wherever you feel like it! Also, these will make wonderful gifts for those you love.
Our young singers thank you for your continuing support, which makes their valuable and cherished experiences beyond our community possible.
Great news! Just in time for holiday listening and gift-giving, The Angel Choir is launching a special fundraising project celebrating the release of its newest recording. Donors will receive exclusive access to the choir’s inspiring new audio collection, available either as a convenient digital download or as a beautifully produced CD. Every contribution will directly help fund the choir’s 2026 summer tour. This is a perfect opportunity to enjoy an uplifting mix of favorite Christmas music and sacred anthems while supporting this cherished ensemble. Your participation in championing the voices of The Angel Choir will make their song possible. Details coming soon!
Saturday, December 6, First Presbyterian Church
6 p.m.
Chancel Choir | Festivo Bells | JuBellee Bells | Common Thread | Newark-Granville Youth Symphony
7 p.m.
Angel Choir | Denison Hilltoppers | Ladies’ Night Out | ETHEL String Quartet
During this crazy, wonderful holiday season, I hope you can carve out some time to come hear the musicians from First Presbyterian Church and the greater Licking County area as we present songs of the Christmas season.
At 6 p.m. the Chancel Choir, JuBellee and Festivo Bells will present Christmas carols and popular songs of the season. We are joined again this year by members of the Newark Granville Youth Symphony under the direction of Sue Larson. A special musical holiday gift of the awesome ensemble, Common Thread, will be singing and playing as well.
Seven o’clock will find Joy Hire and Meredith Needham leading the Angel Choir in song. Special Denison University guests include a cappella groups Ladies’ Night Out and The Denison Hilltoppers, as well as the fabulous ensemble-in-residence ETHEL string quartet. In addition, Linda Habig will offer beautiful flute accompaniment to the program.
Hope to see you there!
Philip Everingham
Angel Alums Return
This fall, First Presbyterian has celebrated All Saints Day, our church’s 220th anniversary, longtime members of our congregation, and Stewardship Sunday. With this emphasis on our church’s history, it seemed only fitting for The Angel Choir to sing one of its signature anthems — and to include alums of all generations who reside nearby.
I’m thrilled that a significant number of these adults will be participating in this unique endeavor. They have been rehearsing together with our current choir members, and the choral sound is truly amazing!
Angels, both present and past, will sing “All Creatures of Our God and King” for worship on November 23. We hope you will join us in church or online to experience this truly special collaboration.
Joy Hire, Fearless Leader
Illuminati to Sing at FPC
Sunday, November 16
Illuminati, the Sacred Music Ensemble of the Columbus Gay Men's Chorus, will sing several choral works during the 10:00 am worship service on Sunday, November 16.
Illuminati, debuted in 2001 and performing since 2009, is one of the only LGBTQ+ sacred music ensembles in the United States.
Illuminati performs monthly at various religious institutions and events throughout central Ohio, and sometimes beyond, and is proud to be a bridge between the LGBTQIA+ and religious communities. Illuminati works to demonstrate that we all have a place in sacred spaces, and are whole, holy, and loved. Illuminati’s mission is to demonstrate, through song, that all people have a place in the religious community.
The Angel Choir to Sing Enduring Reformation Hymn
In celebration of Reformation Sunday on October 26, The Angel Choir will offer Mark Patterson’s stirring arrangement of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”
Written in 1529 by German monk and theologian Martin Luther, this hymn has stood the test of time. “A Mighty Fortress” gave voice to Luther’s growing disillusionment with the Catholic Church and its widespread persecution, which led to the Reformation and creation of the Protestant Church.
Join us in person or online to experience the power and beauty of one of The Angel Choir’s favorite anthems.
Celtic Service
Many thanks to everyone who turned out for what was a meaningful and deeply spiritual service. Special thanks to Karen Bovenizer for leading the singing of the hymns; Nancy Eucker for her stirring readings of scripture and poetry; and a special thank you to Tom Martin for his thoughtful testimony about his faith journey. Your voices helped create a service rich with meaning and spirituality. Thank you!
—Philip Everingham
Sunday, November 2, 10:00 AM
On All Saints Sunday, we remember those we’ve lost from our church—and from our own lives. The Chancel Choir will sing selections from John Rutter’s melodic and shimmering Requiem. Everyone is invited to bring a framed photograph of a loved one who has died, and display it in one of the windowsills on the sides of the sanctuary. Please plan to arrive and have your photo in place by 9:45 AM.
Sunday, October 19, 3:00 PM, Sanctuary
Are you looking for a way to go deeper into your prayer and faith life? Join us for this special service, which draws from the Celtic liturgical traditions of Ireland and Scotland, particularly the communities of Iona and Northumbria. In addition to prayer, the service includes poetry and speaks of God in a common language. Music is largely instrumental—piano with a variety of other instruments. The service provides a quiet, contemplative time of prayer, song, and special music.
Special music will be provided by Jennifer Evans Kinsley playing soulful Celtic music on the hammered dulcimer. This service is led mainly by members of the congregation including folks sharing their own walk in their faith through testimony. Come worship and experience a meditative and inspiring service that will reinvigorate you and fill your soul.
Sunday, October 5, 10:00 AM, Sanctuary
Join us as we come to the Lord’s table with churches around the globe. The service will include different languages, music and liturgy from different lands, and breads from many different cultures.
World Communion Sunday is on the first Sunday of October each year. First adopted as a denominational practice in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.) in 1936, churches in other denominations were later invited to join. It wasn’t until 1940, when the National Council of Churches extended the celebration to several churches around the world, that the practice became widespread.
The idea originated with Dr. Hugh Thompson Kerr, pastor at Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, in 1933. Kerr first conceived the notion of World Communion Sunday during his year as moderator of the General Assembly in 1930. They dreamed of bringing churches together in a service of Christian unity to lift up the global Church and to remember that by virtue of our baptism, we are connected to a worldwide community. Each congregation is connected to every other congregation, united in “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5).
The Angel Choir is Back!
Last Sunday, enthusiastic high school and middle school Angel Choir members met at the home of Fearless Leader Joy Hire for the first rehearsal of the 2025-26 season.
Even though it was the first time this year’s choristers had sung with one another, the music was beautiful, and the mood was upbeat. Following rehearsal, the singers jumped into the pool or gathered under trees on a simply gorgeous afternoon, and the fun continued. Enjoy these images of their first day together!
