WORSHIP SERVICES
NUMC WORSHIP AND MUSIC
What is Worship if not gathering together as a Christian community to focus our attention on our God? And what better way to do that than through Music? Continuing the practice instituted by the Wesleys within the Methodist movement, Northfield United Methodist Church uses music to enhance the liturgy in order to engage its worshipers to listen to God speak, respond with praise and thanksgiving, and go into the world to do good.
In each service, all are invited to participate by raising their voices in “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,” (Ephesians 5:19) accompanied by the Organ or Band. Northfield UMC Adult and Children’s Choirs, the Handbell Choir, and individual musicians use their gift of music to encourage others in their walk with God. On the periphery sits the Tech Team, offering their media skills to enhance the worship in the auditorium and online. Opportunities to serve are many. For more information for how you may “shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation,” (Psalm 95:1) see the following group descriptions.
ADULT CHOIR
The Northfield UMC Adult Choir sings in the worship service approximately once a month as well as leading the congregation during the song service. Rehearsals began on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 and they meet Wednesdays from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m.
They welcome new choral voices to be part of this leadership group for worship. If you would like to join the adult choir, please contact Debbie Miller choir@northfieldumc.org.
Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.—Psalm 95:1
CHILDREN'S CHOIR
During special seasons of the liturgical year, our children lead the congregation in their favorite hymns.
HANDBELL CHOIR
Like other choirs, Northfield UMC’s Handbell Choir is a musical ensemble. Unlike other choirs, they offer their praise by ringing bronze bells. Each bell is tuned to one note of the chromatic scale to produce, with the other ringers, lovely melodies and harmony. No one ringer can carry their tune alone. Handbell ringing is a team sport where everyone plays a vital role to accomplish their goal of bringing heavenly music to earth.
The NUMC Handbell Choir is in need of a few more ringers. They are looking for people who like being part of a fun, welcoming group, can read (or are willing to learn) basic music notation, and like to laugh a lot. Rehearsals are most Wednesday evenings from September through May, and they play during church services about once every month. For more information, contact Kathy Szydlo at szydlo@q.com
SPECIAL MUSIC
Worship services include special music on occasion. Musicians who wish to sing or play an instrument may contact the church office.
LIVESTREAM
The tech team serves the congregation and online viewing audience each week, managing the audio and video components of the worship service. Contact Jesse Steed with questions, jsteed@northfieldumc.org.
ORGAN
The mechanical organ in the auditorium was built by Gabriel Kney and Co. and was installed in 1993. Northfield UMC attenders often come early for the prelude and stay after for the postlude when the organ is the primary instrument for the service. It is used regularly in Sunday services to help worshippers prepare their hearts for liturgical worship, prayer, and praise.
On November 23, 2025, church organist Donna Paulsen retired after many years of ministry playing the piano and organ (see photo and video). She and fellow Northfield UMC church organist Joanne Rodland have participated in the popular summer Wednesday music festival, Northfield Noontime Organ Recitals. These recitals feature local organists and venues.
BAND
The NUMC Worship Band is a dedicated ensemble that plays in church a few times each month, leading the hymns and setting the tone through preludes, postludes, and offertory music. They play a variety of musical genres and feature a variety of instruments from strings to brass to woodwind and voice. Contact David Miller with questions.
SPECIAL EVENTS & HIGHLIGHTS
Ash Wednesday
Children's Christmas Pageant
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Easter
Hanging of the Greens
