by Karen Mead-Elford, staff writer
THE OWOSSO-AREA COMMUNITY Choir performed “Praise and Glorify His Name” at the 2016 Community Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, Nov. 20 at the Owosso Middle School. The choir was directed by Lynn Webster and sponsored by the Owosso-Area Ministerial Association.
The Owosso-Area Community Choir presented the annual Community Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, Nov. 20 in the Owosso Middle School auditorium, located on N. Water Street. Bitter temperatures did not prevent people from attending this special event featuring the combined talent of a 60-voice choir, directed and organized by Lynn Webster. Over twenty area churches were represented within this singular choir sponsored by the Owosso-Area Ministerial Association led by OAMA president Marlene Webster. The Community Thanksgiving Service has been ongoing since the late 1990s.
This year’s event was titled “Praise and Glorify His Name,” and included a large number of songs organized around a message of thanksgiving toward God. Soloists included Sandy Sheldon, Mike Reath, Susie Barker, Lori Higgins, Pastor Cal Emerson, Leonora Fruchey, Karen Bontrager, Marlena Harvey, and Gordon Vine. State Representative-elect Ben Frederick offered a few words to begin, but Rev. Dr. John Miller continued with the full narrative.
While this event is free to the public, every year an offering is taken to benefit a local nonprofit group or organization. This year’s offering of over $1,300 will go to benefit the Salvation Army and the Ministerial Association’s Walls of Warmth shelter. A “cover charge” of nonperishable food items is generally requested, too. The food items benefit the Owosso Public Schools’ “Owosso Cares” project.
The Owosso Kiwanis and Shiawassee-Owosso Kiwanis Club members offered their services as ushers during the event.
