Remember, rejoice and worship

INNISFAIL – Concertgoers packed the Innisfail Church of the Nazarene for the annual Inter-Church Christmas Musical.

Close to 500 people attended the two-day event on the evenings of Dec. 3 and 4 to take in this year's musical “Christmas! We Remember, Rejoice, Worship.”

“It's a way for the Christian community to come together and celebrate the advent of Christmas,” said church pastor Jeff Baker, chair of the Innisfail Ministerial Association. “(The Christmas musical) was held years ago but this is something we've started up again in the last couple of years.

“It's a great opportunity for us to come together as the church and show that we are working together for one cause and to celebrate Jesus and his birth,” he added. “I think it's good for the Christian community and for the Innisfail community to see that.”

The Inter-Church Christmas Musical brought together singers from several churches in Innisfail that are part of the ministerial association and was directed again this year by Kathy Knopp.

The 60-voice choir practised numbers from the Christmas musical for several weeks leading up to the annual concert and was comprised of singers from their teens to their 80s.

“We've been practising since the middle of September. We practised once a week every Sunday night,” said Knopp. “It's a lot of fun.”

This year guests were treated to an array of music, including everything from traditional pieces to modern songs, as well as Christmas favourites. “People will see lots of solos and lots of four-part harmony. There'll be all kinds of genres from traditional to contemporary to soul music,” explained Knopp. “There's a good variety.”

Concertgoers were also encouraged to sing along with several well-known songs.

“We'll be including the congregation to sing with us in some spots,” she added, noting the positive feedback over the past two years.

“It's all linked together with narration to tell the story of Christmas.

“It's a way for us to express our faith and our love of Jesus,” said Knopp. “Especially during the Christmas season when we're celebrating His birth.”