Music

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 (To God alone be the glory),

LeeAnna Xanthos-McQueen ~Director of Music/Organist

Chancel Choir

The Chancel Choir, under the direction of Ms. 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 the Utah Symphony. She has traveled as an accompanist with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and has performed as soloist and accompanist throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Russia. She majored in piano performance at the Eastman School of Music and the University of Maryland, doing her graduate studies in accompanying and chamber music at Arizona State University.

LeeAnna 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 Chuck Booker-Hirsch Sep 4, 2010.

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This Sunday at BPC (2/12)

... at our 11 am Worship, we conclude a three-Sunday focus, "Our Healing Church", with the healing of two lepers: Naaman the Aramean warrior in 2 Kings 5 and an unnamed gentleman in Mark 1. The two-way flow of God's compassion signified by the phrase "healing church" -- the church spreads healing *and* is itself healed -- will be featured in the message, "The River of Healing: From 'Them' to Us". Click here for our colorful bulletin.

Art work on our Sanctuary Big Screen again will "signpost" the sermon -- as well as the Prelude at 10:50, an abbreviated version of an African-American History Month celebration featuring music by Sweet Honey in the Rock and Mahalia Jackson. This special month will also be celebrated in our hymns and other music this Sunday.

Oh, and don't forget our new-and-improved Valentine's Day quiz following Worship, in the Fellowship Hall! Hope to see you Sunday.

Posted by Bethesda Presbyterian on February 10, 2012 at 7:30pm

This Sunday at BPC (2/5) ...

A Lieutenant's Healing Journey! In keeping with Our Healing Church three-part series and the second of three successive healing stories from Mark 1, Marine Lt. James Byerly, who lost both his legs in an IED explosion during combat operations in Afghanistan, will join us in sharing a bit about his healing journey -- with a challenge to our church to be wounded healers, as well. Several of us have met James in his visits to our congregation, as he nears the end of a year-long recuperation at Walter Reed.

Visuals Galore this Sunday! In honor of African-American Month, I invite all to come to the Sanctuary a little early -- 10:45a -- to enjoy a Big Screen slide/song extravaganza celebrating our civil rights pioneers! Featured: Mahalia Jackson ("Precious Lord"), Sweet Honey in the Rock ("Where Are the Keys to the Kingdom?"), speech excerpts from Martin Luther King, Jr. Also, for the very first time, the sermon -- "Action Into Faith" -- will be highlighted by Big Screen visuals.

Sunday's Bulletin is attached. The first sermon of our three-part Our Healing Church series, "Jesus the Healer: A Threat to Order?", can be found here -- along with so much else through our website.

Our Healing Church: a deliberate double entendre. May our discipleship always prove such a two-way street. Come along for the journey!

Posted by Bethesda Presbyterian on February 3, 2012 at 1:00pm

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