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The newly formed Stronghurst Community Choir performed their second concert on Palm Sunday at the Stronghurst Christian Church.
The Easter Cantata Here Is Love, was directed by Pam Moore, pastor of the Stronghurst and Media Presbyterian Church.
Around 120 community members showed their support as the church was almost to capacity, plus there were 36 people singing in the choir and two narrators ranging in ages from 15 through 87.
Eight churches were represented in the choir: Carman and Stronghurst Methodist Churches, Media and Stronghurst Presbyterian Churches, Stronghurst Christian Church, Bethel Lutheran Church, Raritan Reformed Church, and Raritan Baptist Church.
Three pastors were also members of the choir: Rev. Jim Olsen from Bethel Lutheran and Raritan Reformed Churches, Pastor Gene Turner from Carman and Stronghurst Methodist Churches, and Pam Moore from Media and Stronghurst Presbyterian Churches.
As appropriate slides were shown on a big screen above the choir, The cantata included:
The Prologue: "Here Is Love"
The Processional of Jesus into the City of Jerusalem: "We Will Glorify"
Preparation: "Jesus Walked this Lonesome Valley", Delmar Jacob, soloist.
The Upper Room: "Fairest Lord Jesus/You Are My All in All"
Gethsemane: "The Garden"
The Trials: "Man of Sorrows"
Response: "I Will Sing of My Redeemer/Here is Love," Angela Myer, soloist
Resurrection: "In Christ Alone."
The group closed with an impromptu, accapella version of "Amazing Grace" as their benediction. Refreshments and social time were enjoyed afterwards.
Angela Myers provided organ music prior to the beginning of the cantata. Soloists for the cantata were Angela Myers and Delmar Jacob. Mary Lee Taylor and Terry Painter provided the narration. Steve Wisslead took care of the audio and visual effects, and Rev. Jim Olsen printed the bulletins.
Choir members are:
SOPRANO: Orma Bjork, Debbie Gillam, Phyllis Harrell, Hazel Hart, Bonnie Hensley, Kathy Jacob, Juanita Jarvis, Jeanette LaFayette, Julie Love, Angela Myer, Carol Myers, Marlo Ross, Virginia Ross, and Eleanor Ann Wisslead.
ALTO: Andy Barber, Janet Brokaw, Evelyn Davis, Olive Ford, Marlene Knutstrom, Jean Leinbach, Cindy Link, Ruth Olsen, Alicia Phillips, Phyllis Pulse, Judy Roessler.
TENOR: Jim Cook, Carol Olsen, Jim Olsen. BASS: John Brokaw, Tony Griepentrog, Delmar Jacob, Jimmy Jacob, Jack Kinslow, Russell Torrance, Gene Turner.
According to Director Pam Moore, "The choir performed their first cantata at Christmas time and had so much fun singing together that they basically decided to form a group called the Stronghurst Community Choir and sing more often. They have also performed both cantatas at Oaklane Nursing Home on the day before the cantata and the residents seem to enjoy this very much."
Plans are in the works to do a patriotic musical sometime in June. They practice on Thursday evenings at the Stronghurst Presbyterian Church.
If you are interested in singing you can contact Pam Moore at 309-337-5314 or e-mail her at pastorpam@frontiernet.net to find out when rehearsal will begin again.
Below, residents of Oaklane Nursing and Rehab in Stronghurst enjoyed a preview of the Easter Cantata on Saturday afternoon.
