Centralia Stake of LDS Church Presents Christmas Program Before Large Crowd

Posted

By Linda Nowa

Centralia Stake, LDS Church

The Centralia stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosted an inspiring musical event Sunday, Dec. 18  at its stake center on Jackson Highway in Chehalis.

 Nearly 700 community and church members from Lewis and south Thurston counties were in attendance to witness “The Savior is Born,” a vocal and instrumental presentation of the Christmas Story.

President Joseph Alexander conducted the event with Rich Pasko serving as chorister and Clarissa Satterfield as organist for the evening. The Christmas Story was narrated by Holly Cauthers and Dan Wright.

The opening hymn, “Hark the Herald Angels,” was sung by all and was followed by an opening prayer delivered by Jill Nielson of the Mountain View ward. Tabitha Dennison, director of the event, welcomed all in attendance and expressed appreciation for all who had made the event possible.

Attendees experienced spectacular vocal and instrumental musical performances by local adult and youth choirs and soloists. Operatic soloist Matthew Kuehnl and renowned area organist Rick Hanson also performed.

Overhead screen projections of portions of the Christmas Story were shown throughout the hall in support of the musical selections. The 50-member Stake Choir performed “0 Come 0 Come Emmanuel,” conducted by Rich Pasko and accompanied by Craig Johnson with Bruce Hansen.



This was followed by a duet by Clarissa Gifford and Charlene Hancock, “The First Noel” with guitar accompaniment. The Mountain High Morton Community Choir, conducted by Ruth Martin and accompanied by RayBeth Pejsa, performed “Mary Did You Know?” This was followed by a 19- member Children’s Choir performance of”Away in a Manger,” conducted by Debbie Merriman and accompanied by Kathy Morrison.

Rebecca Ricks, accompanied by Kathy Morrison, offered a solo of “What Child Is This?” This was followed by vocalist Alan Bentley, singing “Gesu Bambino,” with accompaniment by Shereen Bennight and violinist Rebecca Gage.

Rick Hanson performed an organ solo of “0 Come, All Ye Faithful” followed by the 32-voice Youth Choir, conducted by Elder Struble, a full-time missionary, and accompanied by Sherreen Bennight with Kathy Morrison and organist Clarissa Satterfield.

 “With Wondering Awe” was performed by a male ensemble consisting of Jeff Bennight, Bart Ricks, Steve Kvavle, Matthew Kuehnl, Michael White and Jesse Maschke, with accompaniment by Satterfield. “O Holy Night” was offered by operatic soloist, Matthew Kuehnl, accompanied by Bruce Hansen, followed by “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” performed by the Stake Choir.

President Kenneth D. Smith offered an inspirational message of the story of the three wise men traveling to Bethlehem to welcome the Baby Jesus. Christian attendees were encouraged to follow him, obey him and know kim.

Smith stated that this is the embodiment of the spirit of Christ. He was followed by a rendition of “Silent Night,” presented by Angela Gilbert with vocalist and guitarist Clarissa Gifford.

An energetic singing of”Joy to the World” by the combined choirs with the congregation joining in concluded the program. Benediction was offered by Lane Hyatt, of the Scatter Creek ward.

Refreshments followed the Christmas celebration with a Rochester youth brass quartet performing in the cultural hall.