Eighth Annual Community Gospel and Christmas Evening

Eighth Annual Community Gospel and Christmas Evening

Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent

Christ really came into Christmas when Perogies and Jam co-hosted their Eight Annual Community Gospel and Christmas Evening with Rev. Laureta Blondin at St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church on November 16.

They say the heart is close to home at Christmas and this event brought it right there with local musicians who sang songs that conveyed their rich expressions of faith through good old fashioned and contemporary gospel and Christmas music to an appreciative audience of 120 citizens.

Founder of Perogies and Jam, Don Harfield and Rev. Laureta Blondin (Priest from St. Mary’s and Chair of Vegreville Ministerial Association) were the emcees.

Don said this event unifies the community churches while it generates funds for a charity of the hosting church’s choice. The Nov 16 celebration generated $1052 for the Vegreville Christmas Bureau.

The gospel night opened with Companions on the Journey and Rev. Blondin leading with Christmas carol singing.

Vegreville Youth Ensemble kept on this bright spirit with their performances of interactive, heartfelt songs where they enticed the audience to participate in a few pieces. With the song, ‘His Peace is Flowing Like a River’, this group supplemented their performance with interesting effects to enhance it so people could actually hear the sounds of the river flowing.

Debbie Fedoruk Singers were on stage next with their soulful performances.

After this, Companions on the Journey sang advent carols which were meant to get people prepared for the arrival of the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Alliance Church Choir continued with some uplifting and spiritual songs.

St. John’s Lutheran Church’s performance followed this where they created a unique mood through their performance of ‘Dona Nobis Pacem’. Colleen Albert performed a solo of Iris Song after this.

The evening closed with Christmas Carol singing and an invitation to everyone to join in refreshments.

Don Harfield said this event is always well-attended. People commented this gospel evening really helps them prepare for the festive season.