Music

Music plays a central role in our congregational worship.  081

Four-part singing is a long-standing Mennonite tradition, especially Picture of Hymnal: A Worship Booka cappella (or unaccompanied) singing.  Song leaders assist us in making congregational singing an integral part of MCN worship.   Our primary book of worship songs is Hymnal: A Worship Book, sometimes referred to as the “blue hymnal.”  Mennonite Church of Normal also uses a two-part supplement series which gives particular attention to the gifts of the worldwide church and to the variety of religious experience within our denomination.

Picture of Songbook Sing the JourneyPicture of songbook Sing the Story.Sing the Journey (“the green book”) explores the life of the Church and its mission in the world, corresponding to the season between Pentecost and Advent.  Sing the Story (“the purple book”) uses the seasons of the church year from Advent to Pentecost to tell the story of the life, ministry, death, resurrection and reign of Jesus Christ.

Junior Choir (grades  2-5) and Youth Choir (grades 6-12)

In Junior and Youth Choirs, children and teens learn the basics of  melody, harmony, and  singing together.  They also can discover God  through music and the joy of ministering  to others through their voices.   They  rehearse once a week on Sunday evenings from October-April and regularly participate in worship services.076

Seasonal Adult Choirs

The Adult Choirs celebrate the seasons of the church year through song.  The Adult Choirs rehearse on Sunday evenings during Advent and Lent.

Instrumental music

Organ, piano, guitar and other instruments help us make a joyful “noise” to God.  Youth musicians sometimes start off our Sunday morning worship.  Ages 1-103 are encouraged to create and share music to give glory to God.