Happy Birthday Baby Jesus Celebrated With The Community

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  • Happy Birthday Baby Jesus Celebrated With The Community
    Happy Birthday Baby Jesus Celebrated With The Community
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Some may say this is “old news”, but the messages from the talented musicians and sacred story of the birth of Jesus Christ needs to be shared and for that matter repeated throughout the year.

The annual Community Christmas program was held Sunday, December 15, in the school auditorium. The Vocal Music Department in cooperation with the ministers and churches in the area sponsored the event. It motivates and encourages the group when they are told by young and old that this program puts them in the Christmas spirit and everyone looks forward to it every year.

The festivities began with the Elementary School’s Singing Sensations under the direction of their music teacher, Denise Tulloh. They presented the traditional French Carol, “Il Est Ne”, to the delight of the packed house.

Lancee Cook, represented the First Nazarene Church with her beautiful rendition of the popular song, “Noel”.

The lovely Christmas special, “Star of Bethlehem”, was sung by Westside Baptist Church member, Ashley Hardin, and accompanied on the guitar by David Johnson, and his son, Eli Johnson, on the violin.

“Bethlehem Joy” was the choir selection performed by the First United Methodist Church under the direction of Pamela Henson.

The enchanting popular, “Mary Did You Know?”, was sung by the talented Cody Newby singing and playing his guitar with added accompaniment on the guitar by Lynn Moon. They were the representatives for the Beaver Creek Cowboy Church.

The Open Door Church was proudly represented by Kim Casteel that captivated the audience when she sang “New Kid In Town”.

Gerald Hayes from the Calvary Baptist Church graciously consented to share his poignant inspirational recitation, “If This Was the Year of Christ Birth?”.

The First Baptist Children/ Adult Choirs directed by Denise Tulloh shared “This Is Our Joy”. As always when children are involved they add to the entertainment factor of the program.

The audience was treated throughout the evening to beautiful inspirational music and celebrated the birth of Christ presented by church choirs, ensembles, solos, narrations with the special performances by the WES Singing Sensation and combined MS School Vocal Music and HS Varsity Choir.

Members of the Ministerial Alliance and representatives of other local churches read the scriptures relating to the coming of the Baby Jesus and the Christmas story. Ministers that shared the message were: Paul Metcalfe - First Nazarene, Dr. Jack Jacob First Baptist, Roger Noland - Open Door, Christy Clark - Temple Methodist, Cody Pennington - FBC Youth Director, Tara Brown - Presbyterian, and Brantley Tillery - First United Methodist. John Nease - Liticia Baptist Youth and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Liturgist - Conrad Clark.

The final portion of the Community Christmas program was the performance by the combined M.S. Choir and WHS Varsity Choir accompanied and directed by Charla Dedmon. Their selections were: “The Little Drummer Boy”, “Christmas Dreams” “Carol Medley” and the theme song - “Happy Birthday Baby Jesus” concluded the program.

Throughout the evening of sharing gifts of music from the different denominations in the community, everyone was asked to join in singing familiar carols. Pamela Henson led the audience in singing the much loved traditional Christmas carols and Denise Tulloh - flute, Bill Penn - Trumpet, Gary Wall, Roger Noland, and Paul Metcalfe - guitars, and Charla Dedmon - piano, provided festive instrumental accompaniment.

Greeters for the evening were Dylan Simon and Carter Ray from the Catholic Church. Choir members acknowledged in previous news article and commended for their dedication and commitment to this community program.

SPECIAL APPRECIATIONandACKNOWLEDGEMENTS TO:

Participating church musicians, Beth Davis - The Walters Herald, Ministerial Alliance, Phelim Jiang, Sam Morgan, Noah Collins, Susan Johnson, Pamela Henson, Kristie Smith and especially Denise Tulloh for their assistance, Superintendent, Jimmie Dedmon, and Walters Public Schools Board for the use of the facilities and to any and all others that helped or participated in the program.

This program adds much to the Christmas season for our community and also helps support and promote the music program and the Ministerial Alliance by donations accepted from those that attended. The financial support asked of the audience was greatly appreciated. Our annual Community Christmas gathering featured extraordinary, unique, and brilliant musicians that were honored to share the true meaning of Christmas with a most attentive and appreciative audience.

A Very Merry Christmas to all---Charla Dedmon - Program Director