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Songsters minister in five venues.
by Joy Lee –
For its premiere ministry outing, the Territorial Songsters traveled to Oregon for the weekend of Oct. 26-28. The weekend revolved around the theme “Autumn Praise” reflected in John Rutter’s “Look at the World,” celebrating creation and the changing colors of the fall season.
The songsters sang at five venues, three in Portland and two in Salem, with a repertoire that included new arrangements of familiar hymns such as “Count Your Blessings,” “The Old Rugged Cross,” “When We All Get to Heaven,” “I Surrender All,” gospel-styled “Praise His Holy Name,” and the Army’s own “War on the Floor” and “A Melody in My Heart.” Two soloists, Barbara Allen and Matt Woods (both from Pasadena Tabernacle Corps), were featured, singing, “Mercy Saw Me” and “He Had to Hold to Calvary,” respectively.
The Portland Tabernacle Corps hosted the first concert on Saturday morning. That afternoon, songster members participated in and taught various workshops at the Moore Street Corps, including an adult vocal group led by Matt Woods and Steve and Barbara Allen, singing company led by Jacqui Larsson, dance led by Praise Lee, drama led by Joy Lee, brass instruction led by Major Dave Harmon and praise and worship led by Captain Lisa Smith.
For the evening concert, the Sunnyside Seventh-Day Adventist Church hosted the songsters, the second Army musical group to perform in their seasonal line-up.
On Sunday, the songsters worshipped with the Salem Corps, welcoming the congregation to the meeting with “In the Beauty of Your Holiness.”
At the conclusion of the weekend, the Territorial Songsters ministered at Capital Manor, a senior residential home. Captain Marcos Marquez (Burbank, Calif. corps) said, “It is truly an amazing experience to have the opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ through the gift and blessing of music. Hearts, including my own, were stirred as we raised to God our very best offering of vocal worship.” Seniors expressed warm appreciation to songster members with whom they interacted before and after the concerts.