Holiday Concerts Have Contemporary Tradition
Bob WellsSome old and some new Christmas performances dot the West Michigan calendar in early December.Musical director Chris Hansen says the annual "Hark Up" Christmas presentation is subtitled a "Symphonic Celebration of Hope."
"We have 35 string players with us, including the (Hudsonville) Unity Christian Orchestra," he said of the student ensemble directed by Sara Jager. Other guests include violinist Susan Mora of the GR Symphony, cellist John Smith and violist Brysien Beer.
The "Hark Up" production features hundreds of singers, dancers, instrumentalists and multi-media in an original show called "Sing A New Song," and is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 and 5 and 3 p.m. Dec. 6 in DeVos Center for Arts and Worship at Grand Rapids Christian High School.
Following up last year's successful multi-artist collection, here comes "Gospel Goes Christmas Vol. 2," with songs of the holiday from an almost entirely different roster of top gospel artists.
Digital billboards are making their way into the world. Although old-fashioned billboards still dominate most major highways and thoroughfares, digital billboards can be seen locally along Interstate 196 near Holland and on U.S. 131 in Grand Rapids. They are very colorful and bright, but depending on what time you drive by, you may see a different ad than someone else. Your exposure to a certain advertisement can be hit or miss.
Gospel music fans from urban/contemporary to Southern have options during the Thanksgiving holiday week in West Michigan churches.
I just can't imagine living one day without a sense of gratitude about something or someone. Every where we look amazing things are happening. Every day is a miracle! If we are honest with ourselves and what we see and experience, the Lord has surrounded us with enough people and things that it is natural to be filled with some level of gratitude every day. Without this sense of gratitude toward something or someone life becomes dull, meaningless and we end up just going through the motions.
Singer-songwriter Francesca Battistelli says her greatest reward in life is the spiritual impact of her inspirational songs.
In January of 1956 my parents were at an evening church service when the pastor announcedEcuador. The missionaries and their families were part of Operation Acua, a mission to reach a savage tribe of indigenous people. The killings later became the subject of a feature article in Life magazine. That article did much to bring attention to missions and to advance the cause of overseas missions. Elisabeth Elliot, the wife of one of the young men that was killed, emerged as one of the more high profile members of the group. Through the Gates of Splendor, a book written by Elisabeth Elliot, gave a detailed account of the work the group did. It came out in 1957 and over time became one of the most important Christian books ever written. Elisabeth would go on to write many more books, including Shadow of the Almighty, a biography on the life of her husband Jim.
It probably was a surprise to most of the assembled crowd. Singer-songwriter-worship leader Chris Tomlin led more than 7,000 gathered in Van Andel Arena in a recitation of Psalm 100.
