Bethesda Presbyterian Church

Personal — Passionate — Progressive

Bethesda Presbyterian Church has long had a history of fine music for worship, concerts, operas and other settings, including voice, string, and piano competitions. This tradition continues to be upheld.  We are committed to "music for all" and encourage anyone with particular interests to come forth and offer your talents.  There is always room for extra strengths that may not be apparent in our current program offerings!  At present we have an outstanding Chancel Choir and a wonderful, if small,  Handbell Choir.

Our goal here at Bethesda Presbyterian is not for the mere performance of music, but offering up our gifts to God.  In addition to our musical offerings for worship, Christian fellowship is perhaps why many do choose to be part of this ministry.  The combination of our love for music and for sharing it with each other helps us to make worship even more meaningful for all.  The common saying "He who sings, prays twice" always leads me to rephrase it when thinking of our choir ~ "Those who sing together, pray and play together".

Please consider whether you would like to be part of this valuable ministry and Christian community.  You can reach me via the church office – just call the main office number and our wonderful secretary will forward your information to me directly. Or you could always attend one of our services and stop by after the postlude to say hi and share your interests.  I look forward to meeting you!
Soli Deo Gloria,

LeeAnna Xanthos-McQueen ~Director of Music/Organist

Chancel Choir

The Chancel Choir, under the direction of LeeAnna Xanthos-McQueen, meets Sunday mornings 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. in the choir room for rehearsals just before the worship service.


Our Music Director LeeAnna Xanthos-McQueen, Pianist, debuted at the age of 19 on National TV (PBS) performing Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No.2 with a Utah Symphony and traveled as an accompanist with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and has performed as soloist and accompanist over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Russia. She majored in piano performance at the Eastman School of Music and the University of Maryland, she did her graduate studies in accompanying and chamber music at Arizona State University. She has maintained a private teaching studio for nearly 30 years and has served as a church choral conductor and organist for several congregations She is also an accomplished marimbist. Currently, she is the music director and organist at the Bethesda Presbyterian Church and teaches 45 students in Alexandria, Virginia.

Last updated by Bethesda Presbyterian Jan 30.

Blog Posts

Chuck Booker-Hirsch

Sermon, 7/25: "Our Church: Vision Is *Everything*"

... and so it is! As we focus on God's grand framework of "Personal, Passionate, Progressive" for us, we will do so by worshiping as one in an informal summer fashion: gathering together in one of our two transepts (side sections of pews). Join us at 10!

Posted by Chuck Booker-Hirsch on July 23, 2010 at 5:46am

Chuck Booker-Hirsch

Summer Social Justice Cinema: July Fridays, 7:30p!

Our Community Theater (details: BPC Film Force More Powerful.doc) benefitting Bethesda Cares Outreach for the Homeless continues Friday, July 16, 23 & 30. Two 30-minute clips shown each week from A Force More Powerful: A Century of NonviolentContinue

Posted by Chuck Booker-Hirsch on June 23, 2010 at 11:30am

Chuck Booker-Hirsch

This Sunday's Worship (7/11): Sermon on the Mount continues!

Topics this Sunday include anger, lust, divorce, retaliation, enemies ... life's simple stuff. "Love your enemy": Oh, really?! And doesn't "Turn the other cheek" mean "Get hit with the other fist"? Scripture: Matthew 5:21-48. Come join us at 10a this Sunday!

Posted by Chuck Booker-Hirsch on July 9, 2010 at 11:30pm

Chuck Booker-Hirsch

Our New Statement of Welcome!

Opposite on this page, you will note our brief, clear Statement of Welcome approved on June 15 by our Session (church board). Most mainline Protestant churches such as our own -- never exempt from the human condition -- have played a particularly bigoted role in rejecting our lesbian, gay, bisexual, & transgender sisters & brothers from full participation in our congregations. We at BPC -- noted for our personal hospitality to all -- feel it our faithful responsibility to counter such an… Continue

Posted by Chuck Booker-Hirsch on June 16, 2010 at 6:00pm

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