The joint choirs of the Morton Methodist Church and the First Baptist Church will be presenting a rousing and worshipful Easter Choral Program, “There Stands the Cross” on Sunday, March 29, at 6:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, corner of Hwy 80 and Church Street in Morton.
The choirs are directed by Melissa Harris of the Morton Methodist Church and Barbara Ott of the First Baptist Church.
“We have always had this dream to do something together. Then, Lynette Harris suggested that we do something this year!!!! An answer to prayer,” Ott said.
“Now, more than ever, there is time and need for Christians to come together and raise their voices to our Lord. Easter is the time of new beginnings with the Risen Christ, and the blessings we hope to pour out through our voices will give us pause to begin anew, she added.
“We are very excited to work together. We want to thank God for growth for our struggling churches. This music is filled with the Holy Spirit and will be an inspiration as we open our doors to all. Next year, with God’s grace we would love to see a community-wide choral presentation,” Harris said.
In this year’s presentation, there are rousing and haunting worshipful selections, including a traditional hymn at the top. “Christ Arose” will begin the program with the well-known chorus “Hallelujah, Christ Arose.”
Then, the audience will be asked to journey back over 2,000 years to the crucifixion site and “Listen to the Hammer Ring.” And once they experience the crucifixion of the Lord, the focus shifts to the cross itself, with the haunting and glorious “There Stands a Cross.”
The tempo changes once again as the audience is asked to experience not only the wonder of the cross but how now we are invited to be here through God’s glorious grace — “Your Grace Still Amazes me” and “Amazing Grace” (My Chains Are Gone”).
The program will also welcome and experience the wonder of guest artist, Ricky Dean’s signature Easter worship song, “Driving Nails”.
The program will end with a stunning and beautiful story that all Christians everywhere must declare as they sing, “Surely This Must Be the Son of God.”
Program selections are created by Dennis and Nan Allen, Randy Vader and Jay Rouse, Tom Fettke and Camp Kirkland and Dave Clark, Cliff Duren, and Mike Harland.
Ott introduces Dean as a special guest for this program. “Many in the Morton area know Dean as a talented artist in addition to his law enforcement work,” she said. “He and I sing together in the community-wide Forever Blessed Choir that blesses the area at Christmas and Easter with amazing concerts. Dean is a Major in the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. When he is not protecting and performing, he continues to perfect his talents for playing the guitar, cello, violin, and more. He is basically self-taught and continues to learn to play other instruments. We are so blessed to have Ricky join our presentation this year.”
Choir members from the Morton Methodist Church are: Joanne Keaton, Kelly Moore, Lynette Harris, Rita French, Linda Hatch, Ricky Hatch, Keeton Moore, Monte Moore, Brian Roland, Evan Derrick, Lindsley Keeton, and Bob Lyle.
Choir members from the First Baptist Church are: Martha Smith, Monica Aycock, Randy Rogers, Naomi Porter, Becky Martin, Virginia Thompson, Gail Alford, Sherrie Johnson, Pam Holman, Judy Stegall, Junior Thompson, Bennett Merchant, and special guest soprano Christy Mangum.
The program is open to the public, and there is no admission charge. Everyone is invited to attend. For group accommodation (parking and seating) or questions, please contact Judy Lewis, 601-259-9482.
