Gospel at the Crossroads

A Salute to Service

Sunday, April 22nd, 2007

Featuring Chancel Choir & Variations Youth Choir with Guest Instrumentalists

Conducted by Dana Effler with Accompanist Tim Effler

A Concert for Service

By Bryan Ellett

   The sanctuary of First United Methodist Church was filled with the rhythm and sounds of a benefit concert presented by the Music and Arts Department of FUMC.  Subtitled “A Salute To Service,” the show honored the hundreds of volunteers whose hard work and dedication enables Crossroads Community Services to provide assistance to many thousands of our neighbors-in-need in the Metroplex, among numerous other service projects locally, nationally, and internationally.  However, as the night progressed, it became clear that the gift was a blessing not only to those who received, but also to those who gave.

   Under Dana Effler’s capable direction, the performance was a joyous celebration.  Traditional and more contemporary gospel music was energetically performed by the Chancel Choir, the Variations youth choir, and more than fifteen instrumentalists.  The more than 900 concert goers were treated to Old Country Church by the "Crossroads Five," an all-male a’ cappella ensemble which delighted the audience with barbershop quartet-type harmonies and soul aplenty.  The Chancel Choir followed with Old Time Religion Medley, rendered with the swagger and sway that have been the song’s trademark for over a century.

   The Old Rugged Cross brought the emphasis of the show back to transformation, reminding us that Jesus saw service not as his path alone but ours as well.  In describing the various mission projects of the First Church youth, Rev. Alexandra Robinson, Associate Minister, eloquently and passionately expressed the theme of the night: “The youth know these mission projects are important, but they too are transformed.”  To further drive home the point, the Variations Choir followed with the touching I Will Be Christ to You.

   The concert, which raised $12,912 for CCS, also paid tribute to the 400-plus volunteers who took part in Saturday’s “One Great Gift of Service.”  Other high points of the evening included the exciting He Never Failed Me Yet, by the all-female "Pipes of Gold."  Rev. Jay Cole, Associate Minister of Missions and CCS Director, said, “The night showed how all the church works together as a unified body; music and arts, missions, congregational care, and Sunday services–they all give so much to each other.”  He hopes that the audience went home seeing how many opportunities there are to become involved in service and how rewarding that service truly can be.

   Ms. Effler added, “We wanted folks to walk away from the concert smiling, spiritually uplifted, and one step closer to heaven celebrating their decision to become partners in ministry with the good folks at CCS.  You know, I think it's a good thing for people to leave a concert with a spring in their step and a new song in their heart - music has the power to move us like nothing else!