Angels Away!

As First Presbyterian’s program year winds down, our Angel Choir is preparing for a busy and exciting month ahead.

This Sunday, May 17, the choir will sing in worship for the final time this semester. Their first anthem, “Higher Ground,” features Mark Hayes’ driving, energetic setting of this beloved 19th-century gospel hymn, which focuses on a desire for deeper spiritual life and closer communion with God. It makes a powerful and enduring statement of aspiration and commitment.

The second choral piece is Elaine Hagenberg’s “You Do Not Walk Alone.” One of the choir’s favorite pieces, this traditional Irish blessing’s simple but evocative lyrics are hopeful and encouraging as its delicate and lilting melody builds from a unison beginning to a six-part crescendo. It will be sung as a choral benediction and serve as a fitting farewell to the six exceptional graduating choir seniors who have shared their time, talent, and fabulous personalities with fellow choir members and our congregation. To commemorate our seniors’ dedication to First Presbyterian Church, their names have been added to the long list of Angel Choir alums engraved on the wood and bronze plaques displayed in the youth choir room. They will be greatly missed.

During Sunday’s service, all of our church’s high school seniors will receive a special blessing as they embark on the next chapter in their lives. They will also be recognized during our coffee hour following worship.

The Angels will continue to rehearse for their traditional send-off concert, “Angels Away!,” to be held on Monday, June 1 at 7:00 p.m. in the church Sanctuary. The program will feature a varied and inspiring selection of sacred anthems, seasonal pieces, and popular secular music on the eve of the choir’s long- awaited Summer Singing Tour to Philadelphia, the Jersey Shore, and New England that will culminate in singing for Sunday morning worship at the historic U.S. Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, Maryland.

All of our congregation, families, friends, and community members are invited to the Angels’ June 1 send-off concert as they joyously anticipate taking our church’s music and message out beyond our village.