St John’s Advent concerts great entertainment

Pastor Marc McDonald welcomes the guests.

Pastor Marc McDonald welcomes the guests.

WILLIAMS — The celebration of the lighting of the tree in Williams did not stop on Saturday. On Sunday at 4 p.m., St. John’s Episcopal-Lutheran Church began their annual series of Advent concerts.
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The series started with the choir from St. John’s led by George Albers. The choir consisted of Annie Albers, Gary Arend, Natalie Arend, Nancy Danyow, Julia Glaab, Dindy Harbeson-Geyman, Gloria Job, Ken Malpas and Kristine Vasquez.

George Albers gave a solo of Ave Maria and Pastor Marc McDonald sang I Wonder As I Wander. I was quite unprepared for the voice of Pastor McDonald.

Pastor McDonald sang a beautiful solo of I Wonder as I Wander.

Pastor McDonald sang a beautiful solo of I Wonder as I Wander.

The concert was also a worship service with Biblical reading. They included Luke 2:1-6 and 13, John 3:1-17, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 40:1-11, Exodus 19:3-7 and Luke 1:46-50.
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The Choir sang a series of holiday favorites on occasion getting the visitors to join in. The voices of the choir grew since last year and they made good use of the additions.

Afterward there was a reception hosted by the Director of Social Gatherings Sally Burcham.64015-11-29-22There are three more concerts scheduled on Sunday December 6, 13 and 20 beginning at 4 p.m. at St. John’s at 202 W. Grant next to the Christmas tree. The upcoming entertainment includes the Andrew Hamby Family, the Choirs of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church along with the choir from St. John’s, and flutist Anthony Flesch with guitarist Joel Rieck.

The concerts are free so they should make a welcome addition for your Polar Express, Bearizona Wild Wonderland or other holiday plans.

St. Johns’ Episcopal Church rummage sale this weekend

Tuesday Television 2015-04-28 018WILLIAMS — St. Johns’ Episcopal Lutheran Church will hold their annual rummage sale this weekend. The sale will be held at the Church on the corner of 2nd and Grant.

The sale will be held on Friday, May 15 from noon to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday May 16 from 8 a.m. to noon.

St. John’s Shrove Tuesday dinner a success

640150217-050WILLIAMS – St. John’s Episcopal-Lutheran Church in Williams held a successful Shrove Tuesday pancake dinner to kick off the season of Lent. There were problems with the electrical, but volunteers successfully maneuvered around the difficulty.

If you missed it, Shrove Tuesday will be on February 9 in 2016.

This leads to the first day of Lent known as Ash Wednesday. Today is a day of fasting for those who hold this season faithful. On this day there will be services for the faithful in which they will have an ash cross placed on their forehead. If your organization is holding a service for Ash Wednesday, make sure you get your ash in Church.
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St. John’s Shrove Tuesday pancake dinner tomorrow

st-johns-02WILLIAMS – St. John’s Episcopal-Lutheran church will hold their annual Shrove Tuesday pancake dinner tomorrow from 5 to 7 p.m. The event is free, but donations are gratefully accepted.

St John’s is located at 202 W. Grant street; the corner of Grant and Second Street.

This event precedes Ash Wednesday which is the first day of Lent.

St. John’s Advent Concert: A Blue Grass Christmas

The St. John’s Episcopal-Lutheran Church Advent concert series continues this Sunday at 4 p.m.

This concert features blue grass music from Julie and Roger Sullivan and friends.

Beautiful Advent concert held at St. John’s

advent141214-8WILLIAMS – Guest harpist Corelia Tom performed a beautiful series of Advent music at St. John’s Episcopal-Lutheran church Sunday Afternoon. She also took the time to educate about the Christmas history of some of the pieces.

Unfortunately my audio recording was clipped.

The last of the series of Advent music takes place on December 19 at 4 p.m. and features Blue Grass music.

St. John’s Advent Concert: Traditional Lessons and Carols

300px-adventThe St. John’s Episcopal-Lutheran Church Advent concert series continues this Sunday at 4 p.m.

On Sunday, December 7 the concert features lectors and the music of the Choristers of St. John’s Church.

St. John’s holds first Advent concert for the season

St. John's Choristers led the first concert.

St. John’s Choristers led the first concert.

WILLIAMS – St. John’s Episcopal-Lutheran church held the first of the Advent Concerts on Sunday. There are three more concerts upcoming each of the next three Sundays at 4 p.m. There is a reception afterward. The concerts are free, but donations are accepted.

The St. John’s Choristers led the concert with the processional hymn O, Come, All Ye Faithful in which the crowd participated. They then sang a series of traditional Christmas songs from around the world. They also added a song from the musical Mame called We Need a Little Christmas. George Albers sang The Christmas Song.

The Choristers did an amazing job with only eight voices.
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Steve Bingell added the Harmonica voice to the piano playing of Susan Kerley to play What A Friend We Have in Jesus and Amazing Grace. Susan played the music for the presentation of the Choristers.

Charles Spining

Charles Spining

Pianist Charles Spining played a great selection of classical pieces from Johann Pachelbel, Paul Manz, Johann Sebastian Bach and others.

This concert will be followed by three more.

December 7 at 4 p.m. will feature traditional lessons and carols with speakers and the St. John’s Choristers.

On December 14 at 4, Corelia Tom will perform The Celtic Harp portion of the series.

The last concert on the 21st will feature Julie and Roger Sullivan & friends performing A Blue Grass Christmas.