Asbury — United Methodist Church

The chancel choir serves as an integral part of musical leadership during the traditional worship services (8:15 & 10:50am) in the sanctuary at AUMC. The choir maintains a unique variety of musical styles ranging from classical to semi-contemporary as well as maintaining a high standard of quality and musical excellence. They provide special music through choral anthems, call to prayer, and during other appropriate times of the worship service. They also provide special musical presentations during the high season times, Christmas, Easter and other various musical events hosted by Asbury. Membership is open to all adults and senior high youth who desire to praise the Lord in song and worship to the glory of God. Childcare is provided at the church during rehearsal times.

Adult praise teams provide musical leadership during the middle-contemporary worship service (10:15am) located in the Wilson Activity Center (WAC) at AUMC. The teams alternate weeks of leading worship of contemporary style of praise & worship music. They also provide special music for other various occasions hosted by Asbury. The teams consist of both vocalists and instrumentalists including, keyboard, guitars (bass, lead, acoustic), and percussion.

The youth choir is a vital part of the youth ministry at AUMC. They provide special music in all worship services (youth, traditional & contemporary) during various times of the year. They also participate in collaboration with the chancel choir and praise teams in special musical presentations during high season times, Christmas and Easter. The youth choir also presents a variety of musical styles appropriate for each worship service type.

The youth praise band at AUMC consists of senior high youth, both vocalists and instrumentalists. They do a wide variety of worship and praise music ranging from contemporary style to Christian rock. They provide special music and lead worship in the youth services both on Sundays and Wednesdays. They also provide special music and leadership in worship in the contemporary worship service every 5th Sunday of the month. The youth praise band also participates with other music ministerial groups in special presentations during the high season times, Christmas, Easter and other various musical occasions hosted by Asbury.

At AUMC, there are many exciting opportunities in music for children such as choral singing and playing Orff instruments. Both elements serve together as effective teaching tools to the musical learning process and enrichment of the child’s social, mental, aural, and most of all spiritual development. In choir, children learn what it means to praise God, and worship Him through the music they learn, while receiving quality musical education and exposure to a variety of musical styles ranging from classical to contemporary. In addition, they also have many opportunities to share their musical talents and learning in all worship services each month, high season times, and every year at the Conference Children’s Choir Festival. The children’s choirs also present a special Christmas and Easter pageant every year as well.

Every summer, there is the opportunity for children of all ages to participate in the annual music camp called, S.M.A.K. (Summer Musical Activitiy for Kids), hosted at Asbury. These musical activities include, choir, bells, Orff Instruments, liturgical movement (worship dance) and the making and usage of musical props. The children then bring a special musical presentation to the following Sunday’s worship service as a demonstration of what they learned from SMAK. The program is open to all children and families throughout the LR community, and serves as a tool of evangelism and encouragement to those who may not yet have a church home.

Music also plays an important role in the children’s Opening Assembly times each Sunday right before Sunday School and every Wednesday evening during JAM (Jesus and Me).

The children’s praise band consists of both vocalists and instrumentalists who are all led by upper elementary aged children with the special talent of playing keyboard, guitar (bass, lead) and percussion, as well as singing. The children’s praise band leads worship during Children’s Chapel once a month and also other various times such as JAM.