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GOOD FRIDAY
Handel’s Messiah Presentation
Overflow crowds were blessed by the community presentation of the Holy Week portion of Handel’s oratorio Messiah on Good Friday, April 6, at 7:00 p.m. A 50+ voice community chorus was accompanied by a string quartet of Jacksonville Symphony members. Communion was observed as the music and text communicate the meaning of the events of Holy Week.
Messiah was written by George Frideric Handel to be performed in three parts, and although the Lenten portion is not presented as often as the Christmas portion, it contains individual choruses and solos that are often sung as anthems during the Lenten season. These include “Behold the Lamb of God”, “All We Like Sheep”, “Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates”, and the highly recognized “Hallelujah!” chorus.
There was no charge for this presentation at Amelia Baptist Church. Childcare for ages newborn through four years was provided for this event at no cost.
Photos from the event:
Community Choir and Orchestra with Director, Pam Helton of Amelia Baptist Church
Community Choir and Orchestra with Director, Pam Helton of Amelia Baptist Church
The crowd waiting for the performance to begin
Another view of the crowd waiting for the performance to start
Alto Soloist
and Tenor Soloist
Soprano Soloist
AN EVENING IN DECEMBER
On the evenings of December 9th and 11th, approximately 75 singers and instrumentalists representing several area churches presented "The Heart of Christmas", under the direction of Pam Helton, Music Minister at Amelia Baptist Church. The group shown below represents part of the larger choir.
This concert was the 15th annual presentation of "An Evening in December".
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Sounds of the Season
Wednesday, December 14, at 6:30 p.m. we enjoyed the “Sounds of the Season” concert. The Tiny Tones, Children’s Choir, and Allegiance presented their Christmas Concert. Pam Bell was our guest artist, playing several beautiful handbell Christmas selections.
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Christmas Caroling
Our annual “Christmas Caroling” event was held December 18th. The Council on Aging arranged for us to deliver fruit baskets to some elderly people in our community that evening. Our members brought large baskets and fruit and goodies to the church for us to distribute to those elderly people we visited. How special it has always been to share the joy of Christmas with the elderly in our community in this way. Thanks to everyone who helped in this effort this year by offering your voice and/or items for the baskets.
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Touring Youth Choir Here
The IBSA All-State Student Choir made three concert appearances on Amelia Island July 2-3 weekend.
The IBSA All State conductor for 2011 is Pam Helton. This Illinois Baptist All-State Choir program is in its thirty-second consecutive year. Youth in grades 9-12, based on a strong Christian lifestyle, regularly attending their church, the recommendation of their church's pastor or music director and successful completion of a rigorous musical audition are selected for the Illinois All-State choir. Adult sponsors who are church music leaders in the state accompany the group.
In recent years, IBSA All-State Youth Choir has done ministry projects and presented concerts in 15 states across America. The 2011 mission tour will bring the group to North Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
Locally, the youth choir appeared at the following places and times to present their “God and Country” themed music appropriate to the 4th of July holiday weekend. All concerts are open to the public and free of charge.
Saturday, July 2 at 4:00 and 5:00 pm at the Spa & Shops at the Omni Resort at Amelia Island Plantation.
Sunday, July 3 at the 10:30 am at Amelia Baptist Church worship service.
Sunday, July 3 at 7:30 pm at the Peters Point beach pavilion area.
The choir’s accompanist is Sharon Barry, a graduate of Carson Newman and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She has recently retired after a distinguished career as the accompanist of the Sea Chanters, U.S. Navy. Sharon is the staff accompanist for Florida State College and is a colleague of Ms. Helton.
Students and chaperones were housed in local generous homes in the area. Thank you to each one who hosted and fed this special group.
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Vacation Bible School Beach Blast! June 27 to July 1
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Flag Presentation Ceremony at the Memorial Day Service
At the end of our Memorial Day service there was a ceremony to honor Corporal Joshua C. Watkins, who died October 21st, 2006 as a result of injuries sustained in combat in Iraq. The flag was presented to his mother, Amy Vasquez, by Colonel Ed Northrop who brought a very moving message in the morning service.
To read more about Corporal Watkins, click on these links:
www.Legacy.com
www.UNF.edu
www.OutsideTheWire.com
In such a short time, his life had an impact on many. Much has been done to honor Corporal Watkins, including a fully endowed scholarship. Please consider a contribution to that memorial scholarship that can easily be done on the UNF website (see link above).
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Amelia's Got Talent -- May 7, 2011
