Music at West Richmond: Worship that Resonates

Music is a vital part of our life together—shaping our worship, deepening prayer, and bringing our community into harmony. This collection features handbell pieces and special music offered by members of our congregation and other musicians during services and concerts. We share these videos to lift spirits, celebrate the gifts God has given, and invite you to experience the beauty of worship through song.
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Below you will find our music collection
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A hymn of Thanks / A Little Quickie

The handbell choir presented the prelude to our worship service on November 17, 2024. The second piece is a practice piece, but it was so nice we chose to play it for the congregation.

The Angelus I

Our handbell choir presented this piece as the first of the new season. Sit back and enjoy!

Simple Gifts

The Handbell Choir presented another version of the classic Shaker Hymn, "Simple Gifts"

The Soul of a Man Never Dies

This week, Pastor Dave's son, Matt was visiting from the Czech Republic. He honored us with this performance, along with his dad (Pastor Dave). Enjoy this rendition of "The Soul of a Man Never Dies".

All Night, All Day

This morning, the prelude was performed by the WRCOB Handbell Choir. This arrangement of "All Night, All Day" started the service off in a beautiful way.

​Sit back and listen to the worshipful sound of this piece.

Not of The World

Our special music this week was an original piece written by our very own Minister of Music, Vanessa Morton! It embodied the theme of our service very well.

​Please take a few minutes to let this wonderful piece encourage you.

The Ashgrove/Amazing Grace

Our handbell choir presented 2 pieces for special music. Both arrangements brought joy into the worship service.

When Pain or Sorrow / Hold on

Sunday morning special music was brought to us by our minister of music, Vanessa Morton, and Pastor David Whitten. This was a beautiful and moving piece that stirs deep in your soul. 

Peace, Peace

The handbell choir presented a lovely Christmas piece entitled, "Peace, Peace" as we entered the Christmas season of 2023. Please be blessed as you listen to this restful arrangement.

Reflection

Our handbell choir blessed us with their selection called, "Reflection". If you close your eyes, you can see the reflection coming off the water.

Amazing Grace

Pastor Dave and our Minister of Music. Vanessa Morton blessed us with a beautiful "bluesy" rendition of "Amazing Grace".  A style we don't see in worship often, but hopefully more to come in the future. You too will be blessed by their version of this timeless classic.

Center of my Joy

We were blessed by Vanessa Morton's rendition of "Center of my Joy". Her own joy showed through when she sang from her heart. This is a beautiful offering to God.

Simple Gifts

A new arrangement for the hand bells. This piece, "Simple Gifts", is arranged for 6 bells, but maintains the classic sound of a congregational favorite. The bell choir performed this piece for the prelude during the  July 30, 2023 worship service.

If I Can Help Somebody

Our special music on July 9, 2023 was performed by Vanessa Morton.
​A beautiful arrangement of "If I Can Help Somebody".

Ain't Got Time to Die

Our guest pianist on June 25, 2023 was also an awesome vocalist. Vanessa Morton provided an acapella arrangement of "Ain't Got Time to Die".

Holy Manna

Our handbell choir presented “Holy Manna” for the June 18, 2023 worship service.

This was a beautiful arrangement.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

This young lady played the special music on December 18, 2022. It definitely enhanced the worship experience. While Zherina may sometimes get a little nervous, she always pulls through. We're very proud of her!

A Little Jazz for Bells

This is the piece our handbell choir played for the James River Ringers concert. JRR gave us some time to debut our music during their concert. Hope you enjoy!

James River Ringers

The James River Ringers is Richmond, Virginia’s premier auditioned community handbell ensemble. Its members are dedicated to performing quality handbell music including hymn arrangements, classical works, show tunes, popular favorites, and original compositions. 
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Visit the James River Ringer's Website

They'll Know We are Christians

This is a piece we presented a while back, but never posted on this page. The arrangement is incredibly beautiful.

Celtic Farewell

This was a fitting piece as we say goodbye to our iconic "White Building". It is believed to have been built in the mid 1800s, but time has taken its toll. The farmhouse was part of the original property when the church purchased the land. It has served us well. Thank you old friend!

How Great Thou Art

A timeless classic! On January 16th, Travis and Anna Williams presented their arrangement of "How Great Thou Art".

The First Noel

For the 2021 Christmas season, our handbell choir presented their performance of "The First Noel". Enjoy!

Jesus Loves Me

Our handbell choir presented this piece for our child dedication service on October 31, 2021. One of our best productions to date.

Candle on the Water

We recorded this video for our October 10, 2021 service. The original music was used in Disney's "Pete's Dragon".

I'd Rather have Jesus

On August 15, 2021, Pastor Dave's son Matt, visiting from the Czech Republic and sister Rhonda visiting from Ohio joined us and performed this piece for Special Music. Such a blessing for our service!

Water Music

This handbell piece was played for the July 18, 2021 worship service. Hope you enjoy it! Please share it with your friends.

We Are Called

The Christian life is a call from God. God asks us to live a life worthy of that calling. We may ask, what IS “our calling”? God created the world and called us to care for it, called us to care for others, called us to SERVE others by providing for their needs.
As a church we strive to make a difference in our local community, in our country, and in our world. God has equipped us to take on the task, if we live a life worthy of our calling.
This video represents the challenge before us and tells us not only WHO we are, but WHOSE we are.
We are called to act with justice.
We are called to love tenderly.
We are called to serve one another.
To walk humbly with God.
If we live a life worthy of our calling, we WILL change the world.

Simple Gifts

This piece was originally performed on August 30th during our worship service. We invite everyone to worship with us Sunday mornings at 11:00 am. When our doors can finally be opened, we would love to see everyone who participated online, in person.

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

Still wearing our masks as required, the handbell choir played a beautiful arrangement of "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow". We were able to present the piece in our online service on August 23, 2020.

Simple Gifts

During our August 16, 2020 worship service, this hymn was performed by Sarah Beers and Pastor David Whitten. As it name implies, "Simple Gifts" the guitar and flute combo is very simple in nature, and yet powerful in its message. It was also performed outside the front doors of the sanctuary. Wide open doors because ALL are welcome in this place. The Brethren have a long history of living very "simple" lives. Our joy is found in our God, not in our possessions.​

The Lord's Prayer

At West Richmond Church of the Brethren, this number was performed for the July 26, 2020 online service. A beautifully arranged piece, performed by some of our musicians.

Praise God From Whom

Today's special music was preformed by the Beers family. Kevin and Barbara Beers, daughter and son-in-law Anna and Travis Williams. This particular song is a Mennonite favorite! And is now being done more and more in the Church of the Brethren.

Melody

During our worship service on August 16, 2020, our handbell choir performed a song simply named "Melody". Reminiscent of a music box, it set the calming tone for the remainder of the service. Due to the pandemic, the choir was fully masked and socially distanced (I promise it has nothing to do with looks).