Sylvia Stewart, Organist/Director of Music Ministries

First Baptist Church has long been known for its music ministry in the Laurinburg community and its primary goal is to honor and praise God. The Sanctuary Choir meets each Wednesday evening from 7:00 – 8:30 in preparation for the weekly Sunday morning services. Accompanied by an orchestra made up of local musicians, as well as a string ensemble from the Fayetteville Symphony and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke’s brass quintet, this choir also presents major inspirational worship services at Christmas and Easter, which occasionally involves the church’s Drama Team.

The music at First Baptist is diverse and includes traditional and modern anthems, hymn arrangements, spirituals, classical, gospel, and contemporary worship music.

The Sanctuary Choir also has an outreach ministry to the nursing facilities and offers consolation to families in times of sorrow.

First Baptist is pleased to have guest artists, soloists, various ensembles, college choirs, instrumentalists, and Men’s and Women’s Ensembles. Believing that music touches the hearts of all ages, it offers many varieties and styles of music.

The Children and Youth of the church give special musical presentations several times during the year.

The church has both Handbells and Handchimes, which meet on Sunday afternoons from 3:45 – 4:45.

The Austin three-manual Pipe Organ, given in memory of Maude Lee Weatherspoon by W. Herbert Weatherspoon, was installed in 1962; and the Baldwin Grand Piano, in memory of Locke T. Walters, Sr. and in honor of Kathleen W. Walters, was given in 1983.

The Music Advisory Committee is designed to represent the interests and needs of the congregation in the musical emphasis of the church. It assists the Director of Music Ministries as needed to develop, implement and coordinate musical activities and programs.

First Baptist has hosted choral clinics and concerts featuring well-known composers Philip Young, Pepper Choplin and Joseph M. Martin.