Northwoods is blessed with some very dedicated people who provide music for our services.  Music is the most important, beloved, inspiring and….well…criticized part of the worship service.  (Yes.  Even more than sermons!)   People are hesitant to sing in choirs because it requires time and rehearsals, it tends to obligate them to sing on Sundays, and they open themselves for criticism.   In its original state, music was another offering to God.   It was not meant for the pleasure of the people but for the pleasure of God.  Like it or not, the church choir today is almost in a performance mode.  Gone are the days of singing alternative hymns.  Anthem writers match soaring melodies with incredible harmony…stuff which requires hours of rehearsal.  People are blessed by the music and music often sets the tone for worship.

Northwoods has a praise choir for the 9am service.  It is entirely volunteer.  One electric guitar, one rhythm guitar, one bass guitar, a keyboard player, and three different drummers accompany anywhere from three to eight voices.   Practice is 7:30pm on Wednesdays.  We are always interested in others coming to sing and play with us.  The music is typically praise music with one traditional hymn for each service. 

The Chancel Choir sings at 11am.  We do upbeat and contemporary anthems along with some of the classics.  We are accompanied by Diana Evans and have a volunteer choir director.  Any choir can always use additional voices.  The rehearsals are at 6:30pm on Wednesdays.  Some very stalwart people sing in both choirs.

For the most part, music is as much a source of joy for those who sing and play as for those who hear.  Our rehearsals are sometimes hilarious…but the music is good.  We aren’t professional.  We’re faithful.  And it makes a difference.