By LAURA ROBISON
The Progress
The first annual Community Easter Program was held on Monday evening, March 18 in the Mack Lyon Middle School auditorium which was filled to capacity.
The musical event was organized by Logandale resident Jan Mecham who said she was inspired after reading a quote from Anglican bishop and New Testamen scholar N.T. Wright which said: “We should be taking steps to celebrate Easter in creative new ways: in art, literature, children’s games, poetry, music, dance, festivals, balls, special concerts. This is our greatest festival.”
The performance was centered around the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Larry Moses was the Master of Ceremonies. His opening remarks set the tone for all the performances.
“We have come here together, people of the various churches, setting aside our differences to join in one accord to praise Jesus Christ, our common savior,” Moses said in his remarks.
Moses then introduced the first performance of the evening. Lucinda Walker who sang “The Holy City.”
“I sing with love of my Savior,” Walker said.
Next on the stage was father-daughter duo Rick Houston and Alicia Bush, who sang “Because He Lives.”
Houston said he picked that song because, “It brings a message of hope. Whenever I hear it, I am inspired to do a little better. Maybe I should listen to it more often.”
The Mecham grandchildren then came to the stage to sing “The Miracle,” written by Shawna Edwards.
A special Community Youth Choir was formed for this program. Local youth from ages 11-18 were directed by Jamie Burt to sing “Cup of Sorrow,” accompanied by talented local youth Hans Whipple on piano and Jensen Blake on the cello.
Violinist Dr. Walter White and Shelby Brandon on piano combined their talents as they presented “God and God Alone.”
White shared these words from the song: “God and God alone-is fit to take the universe’s throne. Let everything that lives reserve its truest praise-for God and God alone.”
Jared Shaver, who recently moved to Moapa Valley with his family performed an a capella version of “Mercy” which was simply divine.
The audience was then invited to sing well known hymn “Amazing Grace,” which conveys a message that forgiveness and redemption are possible and that the soul can be delivered from despair through God’s mercy.
A quartet made up of Will Ragland on trumpet, Walter White on violin, Kim Delgadillo on French Horn and Katie Rose on piano then treated the crowd to an arrangement of “How Great Thou Art.”
Pamela Engle next took the stage to dance to a number she choreographed titled “White As Snow.” Her costume, designed by Lyndi Mecham, was white, with red scarves. As the dance went on, one by one each red scarf was shed leaving only a pure white.
“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow,” Engle said quoting a passage from Isaiah.
The St. John Singers: Luz Sosa, Julie Livernash, Dolly Corff and Kim Delgadillo, selected “Resucito, Aleluya” (Resurrected, Alleluia) to bring the resurrection message in Spanish. It was a beautiful composition!
Local poet Melbourne Perkins then stepped into the spotlight. His poem “Our Savior’s Gift” expressed his thoughts and feelings about Christ’s suffering and resurrection, written specifically for the night’s celebration.
Shanan Kelly began to sing Forever, accompanied by Shelby Brandon at the piano. As his stirring solo grew more inspirational, he was joined onstage by family members, friends and neighbors who completed the song in unity.
The Zephyr Singers sang “This Is The Christ” under the direction of Nelson.
The closing number “Glorius Everlasting” was performed by a community choir, 50 voices strong, which had been formed for this special occassion. The words of the song were adapted from the 57th Psalm: “I will praise thee, O Lord, among the nations. Be thou exalted, O God above the heavens.”
After the closing number, Moses invited everyone to view the Easter-themed art by local artists, displayed in the foyer. Refreshments were provided by the local JustServe.org committee.
“This is community building up community,” said performer Will Ragland after the performance. “We need a church-based community, with firm foundations and good values.”
Erika Whitmore was in attendance. “I loved it!” she said. Different denominations came together to celebrate this special holiday.”
And with quiet demeanor, Wendy Mulcock explained, “There is something so incredibly special to hear live music and live voices uplifting and unifying everyone together,” she said. “This truly was a inspirational and remarkable evening.”
