Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! It is with great pleasure that we congratulate the Voices of Calvary for 45 years of faithful service to the Music Ministry of Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church, Washington, DC. Thank you for remaining a relevant part of the church music experience for these years. For many of our services, on Sundays, weekends and weeknights, you serve with diligence, excellence and anointing. Your ministry, however, has not kept you in the four walls of the church. We recognize how you have been afforded the opportunity to travel local and abroad, singing the praises of the Lord wherever you travel! What a great testimony God has given you, as a choir, to remain unified for this length of time. To God be the glory for all the things He has done. Thank you for supporting our vision by offering your time and talent! May the Lord grant you favor as you enter another year of faithful service and always remind you of the true meaning behind the melodies and lyrics that you release from your souls! God bless you Voices of Calvary! We love you! Because of Calvary, Archbishop Alfred & Dr. Susie C. Owens Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church
This day marks the 45th Anniversary Celebration of the inaugural choir of the Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church, the Voices of Calvary. Throughout the years this choir has graciously served the house of worship in which it was founded, Sr. Pastor in Archbishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr. and each ministry opportunity in which it was assigned. Even during transitional times of administrative and musical leaders, God has always given this choir enough grace to come back BIGGER in spirit, BRIGHTER in it’s commitment to let it’s light shine so that men may see it’s good work and glorify the Father which is in Heaven, and BETTER at acknowledging that this is the Lord’s doing and it’s marvelous in our eyes. Monday, June 3, 2005 marked my first day at GMCHC. It was also the first rehearsal that I conducted for this fine church. It was this choir of Beginings, the Voices of Calvary, who gave me my first taste of the awesome Music Ministry of GMCHC. They continue to embrace me with the same love and care that I experienced on my first encounter with them. Though I lovingly serve all of our choirs, the Voices will always hold that special “Inaugural” place in my heart. As we look toward the future of this choir, we do so with the same Godly principles that have gotten us this far. Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding, abundantly, above all that we can ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Respectfully Yours, CorneliusYoung, Director It has been a pleasure serving as the Assistant Director of the Voices of Calvary. We are a family of singers that enjoy ministering, fellowshipping, laughing, loving and praying for one another. Serving under the leadership of our Minister of Music and Director Cornelius Young, has enriched and enhanced my ministry as I’ve gleaned from his musical expertise. Kudos to our Executive Board for their diverse but well-balanced administrative savvy all for the good of our choir. My prayer is that the Lord continues to shine down upon as we lift His name in song. I love you Voices and am honored to serve as your Assistant Director! Happy 45th Anniversary Voices! Tammy Ellard, Asst. Director
Greetings Voices of Calvary Members and Guests! I am pleased to extend a heartfelt welcome to each of you to the Voices of Calvary’s 45th anniversary! I am extremely excited that you joined us tonight as we celebrate 45 years of music ministry at Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church. The members of this choir gathered tonight represent a greater number who were the first to serve our pastor, Bishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr. and the Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church family. We feel blessed and honored to have the privilege of continuing the legacy as we look forward to what God will do through us in the years ahead. I am humbled beyond words to serve as president of this illustrious choir. There is no way to adequately express my love and appreciation for their support, dedication and unwavering love for God. Together we have overcome trials and tribulations. We have witnessed healings, breakthroughs and restoration. God is our rock, our hope of salvation, a strong deliverer and in Him we will always trust. He has opened many doors and shown us great favor. For that and so much more we give him great praise. Hallelujah! I am so grateful to the leaders of this house, Bishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr and Co-Pastor Susie C. Owens, for their exemplary leadership, unparalleled anointing and steadfast loyalty to the work of the Lord. I believe the precious oil poured on the head has run down and onto the Voices of Calvary. I hope you enjoy the Doxology of the Voices of Calvary in celebration of 45 years of music ministry. And, we invite you back on Sunday, October 14, 2018 as we continue the celebration and praise at our 10:00 a.m. service. To God be the Glory! Patrick G. Taylor, President As we look back, our good days outweigh our bad days!! It has been a great journey to 45 Voices. I have enjoyed ministering the last 17 years every second Sunday of the month and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. It amazes me how the Lord consistently uses us to minister to the masses whether it’s a Sunday morning service, an outside engagement, a rehearsal, abroad, and each other. Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to serve as a leader for the last 15 years. It’s my prayer that God continues to anoint and use us for the next 45 years. Love you all from the bottom of my heart. Let the journey continue.... Carlton Church Vice-President
HISTORY OF THE VOICES OF CALVARY The Voices of Calvary (VOC) was organized in 1973, with 10 members, their origin steeped in family history. Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church (GMCHC) emanated from the combining of Mount Calvary Holy Church, Washington, D.C., pastored by the late Mabel B. Lewis; and Christ is the Answer Chapel, pastored by a teenage Reverend Alfred A. Owens, Jr. Through the merger of the two churches, GMCHC was founded. Reverend Owens preached, played the piano, and sang with the Gospel Chorus he organized and the young adult choir he inherited from Mount Calvary. While at the Webster Street location, the choir expanded, and the VOC was established. Ministry help came from the Belcher family that included the children, Bernard, Monica and Donna. Donna Belcher (Barber) was the inaugural director of the VOC and she was assisted by her sister, Monica Belcher (Colson). Monica became the primary director when Donna left the choir on maternity leave. Bernard was the musician for the choir. In 1976, the choir was blessed with another gifted musician, Martin Powell (affectionately called ‘Junior’). In 1978, the Voices recorded their first musical project entitled: “To Tell the Truth: Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up”. The project title was so named after a sermon preached by Reverend Owens. That sermon, preached by the teenage pastor, brought recognition of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the ministry of Reverend Owens. As the GMCHC ministry grew, the church exceeded the boundaries of the Webster Street location and relocated to Park Road, N.W., Washington, D.C. The Gospel Chorus continued to sing on the first Sundays. However, the VOC was the premier choir and served GMCHC most Sundays. As the ministry grew, GMCHC was blessed to expand the music ministry. With that expansion, the Alfred Algie Owens Chorale “AAOC” (named after Reverend Owens) was formed. With the establishment of AAOC, the VOC relinquished 3rd Sunday service to the music ministry of the AAOC. The Gospel Chorus (1st Sunday), VOC (2nd & 4th Sundays) and AAOC (3rd Sunday) comprised the music department of GMCHC, and on the rare 5th Sundays the choirs combined to make a Mass Choir. While the ministry of the Mass Choir was very well received, the presentation was infrequent due to the number of 5th Sundays in a calendar year. Because of the military obligations of Thomas McKenzie, director of the Gospel Chorus, the Gospel Chorus merged with the Mass Choir. After the merger, the Mass Choir assumed responsibility for providing music ministry on the 1st Sunday of each month. As the church ministry grew, so did the music ministry, incorporating the Junior Voices of Calvary (JVOC), and then the Youth Concert Choir (YCC). The two choirs were assigned the music ministry responsibilities for 4th Sundays. The 4th Sunday assignment resulted in the VOC assuming responsibility for providing music ministry on 2nd Sundays and it stands the same to this present time. For 45 years there has been stability in the leadership of the Voices of Calvary. Over this period, there have been only four presidents, the first being Vernita Belcher. Marlene Manning served as the 2nd president, followed by Julia Chaney, serving as the 3rd president, and now, Patrick Taylor as the 4th president. Vice Presidents who have served over these 45 years are Barbara Owens, Sedrick Buck, Kevin Wilkins, Tony McNear, Patrick Taylor and Carlton Churn. The directors from the beginning to present are Donna Belcher (Barber), Monica Belcher(Colson) Timothy Warren, Tammy Ellard and currently serving, Cornelius Young, who also serves at the Minister of Music for GMCHC. Assistants were Merriman Smoot, Gail Powell, Natoshia Crockett, and Tammy Ellard. Under the nurturing, leadership and anointing of Bishop Alfred Owens, Jr., and CoPastor Susie Owens, the VOC have remained faithful. Through these many years of unwavering support by the GMCHC family and the Grace of God, the Voices of Calvary have remained strong in worship and praise to the Almighty God. To God Be the Glory for the great things He has done for the Voices of Calvary.
ORDER OF WORSHIP Call to Worship Scripture Prayer Praise & Worship Introduction of Honorees Selections: Voices of Calvary Offering Selections: Voices of Calvary Presentations Closing Remarks Benediction
OUR PATRONS CANDICE BAILEY BISHOP MATTHEW A. BARBER (IN MEMORY OF) MATISON BARBER-WISE SHER-RI BARBER-WISE DONNA BELCHER CHARMAINE BOULWARE VALERIE BOWLER JACQUELINE BOYD TAWANNA BREWINGTON BISHOP T. CEDRIC BROWN RONALD BUTTS PAMELA CARTER NOLAN GWEN CHRISTIAN MARILYN CHURCH EMPIRE CLEANERS ANDRE COLLINS CHERYL COLLINS JONATHAN COLLINS KOBE COLLINS NICOLE COLLINS PATRICE COLLINS SANDRA COLLINS BESSIE COOK KISHA CUNNINGHAM-MERHUNDREW KAITLIN DANIELS KEASIA DANIELS KELVIN DANIELS ANGEL DAWSON ISAIAH DAWSON KEITH DAWSON KENDALL DAWSON LAKEISHA DAWSON MOTHER ANN DAWSON ADRIANA & AYDEN DIXON PEARL EDMOND ANGELA ELAM
KATRINIA ELLISON AHMAD FIELDER TIFFANY FIELDER ALLAN FINET SHONTE FORD BISHOP MARK FREEMAN JACOB FREEMAN JO’EL FREEMAN LADY VALERIE FREEMAN JACKIE FRYE MERLYNE GRAVES TALIBA HARRINGTON DAMITA HEMPHILL MCRAE BERNARD HEWRINS BETTY HUMPHREY FRANK & MARIE INMAN FRANKLIN JACKSON ETHEL JACOB PATRICIA JACOB LONNIE JOHNSON CHIBUZOR JOSEPH JAMES & GLORIA KING MR. & MRS. HENRY LEE SHANNON LUCAS-WILLIS AARON MANNING ANDRE MANNING CHANNAE MANNING JOSEPH MANNING GWEN MCCALL LOY MINOTT BARBARA MURRAY CHOISE MURRAY FREDERICK MURRAY JASMINE MURRAY JEREMIAH MURRAY JORDAN MURRAY MICHELLE NELSON
MARVIN NESBITT, JR JERROD NOLAN LLOYD NOLAN BISHOP ALFRED A. OWENS, JR. KEITH PAYNE KIM PAYNE EURLENE RYOR PAULETTE SAUNDERS KEITHA SHEPHERD EUGENE SMITH RUBY SMITH GEORGE SPANN JOSEPH SPANN, S.R. SPANN SUMAR SPANN DEBORAH T. SPENCER MATTIE STEPHENS RAFFORD THOMAS TRACY THOMAS MR. & MRS. PAUL WASHINGTON ALICE E. WATSON JEFFREY T. WEBSTER EVENLYN WILLIAMS RICKY WIILIAMS ANTWONE WISE KENDALL WISE BRENDA WOODS
The Voices of Calvary greatly appreciate your support as we celebrate our 45th Anniversary!
Faith is Always in Fashion
Angela Bailey
Phyliss Cureton
Eric Brown
Sandralyn D. Bailey-Starling
Juanita Doby
Carlton Churn
Vanette Blount
Gwendolyn Ellis
DeShon Gales
Kendra Carter
Dorothy Fason
David Hicks
Julia Chaney
Iraolyn Humphreys
Rondallyn Houston
Jennifer Corbin
Judy Lee
Gene Moore
Barbara Freeman
Linda Mack
Terrance Norflis
Paula Gibbs
Beverly McClure
Keith Payne
Monica Jones
Barbara Owens
Eddie Robinson
Cassandra Lyttle
Alison Panton
Ronald Taylor, Jr.
Marlene Manning
Patrick Taylor
Collis Thomas
Kim Payne
Lisa Wells
Derrick Thompson
Betty Robinson Princess Robinson Paulette Saunders Bernita N. Simpson Sarah Spann Natalie Washington