Unique instrument accompaniment in music service?

The more traditional American instruments in music service is the piano, or piano and organ. Larger churches may use classical orchestration. "Contemporary" churches utilize the traditional rock band instrumentation.

What are some of the more unique instrumental accompaniment you have seen in regular use at a church? Maybe it is an instrument that is uncommon, or an uncommon usage of an instrument. What are your thoughts on what you have seen?

While not my preferred style, I have enjoyed the music service at some churches that used a bluegrass setup (banjo, fiddle, mandolin). The participation in those services seems very enthusiastic and genuine, and it really fits into a simple approach to a worship service.

My previous church had a young woman who regularly played the cello.
What a wonderful instrument!
She was usually accompanied beside electric organs, guitar, bass guitar, and drums.

Rob

Handbell ensembles are common in church services.

In the 1830′s, the Peake Family Ringers introduced English handbells to America. In the 1840′s a group of Swiss bell ringers toured America, ringing bells as a novel stunt. Entrepreneur P.T. Barnum sponsored a group of men from Lancashire, England, billing them as – of all things – “The Swiss Bell Ringers.” Barnum had them grow long mustaches, dress in Swiss mountain clothes, and forbade them to speak a word, lest their secret be discovered!

In 1923, Margaret Shurcliff of Boston founded The Beacon Hill Ringers, the first indigenous handbell choir in America. This led in 1937 to her founding the New England Guild of Handbell Ringers. The American Guild of English Handbell Ringers (AGEHR) was formed in 1954, with Ms. Shurcliff as President. In 2004, AGEHR celebrated 50 years of organization.

I've heard played in church: accordion, theremin, a saw, water glasses.

I draw the line at bagpipes.

Violin

Jerome said:

I draw the line at bagpipes.

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It takes Amazing Grace to put up with that.