Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kim Ewoldsen estimated “80 to 100” electrified luminaries and 14 bountiful crimson bows were purchased in November 2016, to add to the Christmas ambience of Morrison, IL. The decorative items were financed by a generous donation from Emmanuel Reformed Church’s Voices of Praise, a 90-voice choir. Because the 2016 Cantata is a reprise of favorite songs from the past nine years, it was unnecessary to purchase new music. Hence, the Love Offering will be donated to the City for Christmas decor.
Celebrating its tenth season, Voices of Praise, an outreach ministry in Morrison, IL, cordially invites the area to experience its tenth annual Christmas cantata, “Ten Years of Christmas with the Voices of Praise.” Three performances take place in the beautifully decorated sanctuary of Emmanuel Reformed Church, 202 E. Morris Street, Morrison. No tickets are needed for this 75-minute concert; a free-will offering will be received. All ages are welcome. The church is handicapped accessible. A fellowship hour will follow all performances, hosted by the women of Emmanuel.
Enrich your holiday time at a concert by this magnificent choir:
- Friday,December 9, 2016,at 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday, December 10, at 3:00 p.m.
- Sunday, December 11, at 7:00 p.m.
The program features the very best of the past nine cantatas. Director Rich Criss took the 118 songs sung in previous cantatas and narrowed the list to 50. Additional cuts were taken to 40, then 20, and finally 12. These songs provide what he feels were the most powerful songs performed by EVOP over those years. No matter your age or musical interest, there will be music for you, and that is guaranteed! It includes such favorites as “Mary, Did You Know?,” “O Holy Night,” “Come and See What’s Happening in the Barn,” “Glory to God in the Highest,” and wonderful arrangements of many familiar carols. Because rehearsals have taken place since early September, EVOP agrees these songs are truly the best of the past nine years!
Under direction of Ministry Coordinator Rich Criss, “Voices of Praise” is comprised of the 60-voice Sanctuary Choir of Emmanuel Reformed Church, plus members of churches in the area.