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Laguna Woods Churches & Temple come together
“Behold how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
Psalm 133:1
The Community of Faith Choralfest 2022 was held on Sunday afternoon. St Nicholas Catholic Church in Laguna Woods was the scene of the sixth annual celebration of music offered in thanksgiving for the friendship shared and for the faith-filled ministry to the people of God. St Nicholas Catholic Parish hosted the event featuring Choirs and Cantors from five Laguna Woods congregations: Temple Judea, Geneva Presbyterian Church, St George Episcopal Church, Lutheran Church of the Cross, and St Nicholas Catholic Church.
The church was filled to standing room only and the program began with a welcome by Emett Loera, Director of Music Ministry at St. Nicholas Parish. “We come together to celebrate the 57th anniversary of all our Parishes with one exception. St. George Episcopal Church has been with us for 131 years.” Emett next read a statement by Pastor, Father George who was called away unexpectedly. Father George asked for prayer and a moment of silence for the people of Ukraine and, closer to home, the victims, and families of the recent tragedy at Geneva Presbyterian Church.
The program began with all 500-plus attendees standing and singing a rousing version of “Sing Joyfully Unto The Lord.” Cellist Michael Duron followed with an amazing performance of J. S. Bach’s Prelude To Cello Suite #1
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Holy Rosary Phillipine Chamber Chorale
The first choir to perform in the program was the Philippine Chamber Chorale singing two pieces: Aba Ginoong (Hail Mary) Fr. Manoling (Manuel) Francisco, A prayer that comes from the Archangel’s joint greeting to Mary in the good
news and Elizabeth’s greeting of the coming of the Virgin Mary in their home. The second song was Sa Yo Lamang (For you alone) Francisco, Borres & Gen. “You’ve seized my heart for your own, with the sweetest of affection. Take this offering I give. I am yours as long as I live.”
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Rabbi Dennis Linson of Temple Judea spoke of the togetherness of the Laguna Woods people and religious communities and delivered a message of peace and prayer for our neighbors of the Taiwanese Presbyterian community and the people of Geneva Presbyterian Church. He introduced Cantor Josef Chazan who sang “Amar Rabbi Elazar” by Moyshe Oyser. “They who love Torah have great and everlasting peace, and they will not stumble [on life’s path]. May peace abide within your surroundings, and prosperity within your abodes. For the sake of my brothers and friends, I say: Peace be with you!”
Joseph Chazan
Temple Judea
Cantor Chazan was followed by Temple Judea’s Cantorial Soloist Susan Miller Kotses singing “Ahavat Olam” accompanied by Charlotte Hsieh, piano. The sweeping melody utilizes High Holy Day motifs and beautifully conveys the vastness, complexity, and sweetness of God’s love. “With an eternal love have You loved your people Israel, by teaching us the Torah and its commandments, laws, and precepts.”
St. Nicholas Catholic Church, hosting the event, presented two choirs. First was St. Nicholas Parish Choir under the direction of Emett Loera, Director of Music Ministry, accompanied by Brian O’Neill, piano and Joe Stone, flute & oboe. The choir performed “Hine Ma Tov” by Neil Ginsberg. The hymn is Syrian in origin and quotes Psalm 133:1 which reads, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
Next, the choir sang “The Lord is My Shepherd” by John Rutter. Quiet and serene, this pastoral setting of Psalm 23 offered a sweeping Rutter melody and a gorgeous oboe solo that hovered gently above the choir. The offering created an ethereal moment as it so capably interpreted the peaceful assurance of the beloved text. In the opening verses, the men and women alternate in expressing their intention that everything they do might be for God’s glory “for His Name’s sake.”
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Following “the Lord is My Shepherd a freewill offering to benefit the humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, via Catholic Relief Services, was taken.
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Lutheran Church of the Cross’ Pastor Leland Lantz began by telling the assembly he is returning home to Iowa to become pastor of his home Church. Pastor said he will miss his across-the-street neighbors at St. Nicholas and the people of all the congregations he has enjoyed knowing these years of Choralfest since 2015. Pastor then introduced his wife Marcia Lantz director of the JuBellation Handbell Ensemble. Their first offering, “He Leadeth Me” by Thompson whose arrangement conjures up images of The Good Shepherd leading His flock. Musically this is wonderfully achieved through the flowing passages of bells.
Jubellation Handbell Ensemble
Lutheran Church of the Cross
The next handbell piece was Thompson’s “My Jesus I Love Thee,” a heartfelt and expressive arrangement of the beloved 19th-century hymn tune by Gordon, which begins freely with the singing bell technique. “My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine; For Thee all the follies of sin I resign. My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou; If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.”
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The Rev. Pat McCaughan, Vicar of St George’s Episcopal Church began with a prayer for peace and love. She said “Let hatred cease and love endure. Love, Love, Love…we need to feel it, give it, get it, spread it, believe it, and never let it go.” She introduced the Schola Cantorum, David York director, which presented “The Rain is Over” by Bonia Shur. with Andrea Hillard, soloist, and Mathew Terry, saxophone. ”See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come; the cooing of doves is heard in our land.”
The second piece “How Can I Keep From Singing,” is an American Christian hymn from the 19th century, written by Robert Lowry. Arranged by Taylor Davis. Composer Lowry praises the love and peace of Christ in this song and proclaims, “No storm can shake my inmost calm, while to that Rock I’m clinging” referencing the rock of Jesus Christ. This hymn is a celebration of Christ and encourages us to sing His praises continually.
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Called up next to the sanctuary was Geneva Presbyterian Church and the Rev. Dr. Steven Marsh. Pastor Marsh began with the message, “On behalf of Pastor Albany Lee and the leadership at the Irvine based Taiwanese Presbyterian Church, a beloved congregation that shares our campus in powerful ministry, as well as myself and the leadership at Geneva Presbyterian Church, we thank you for your prayers, your outpouring of love and support, and we ask that you continue to pray for healing in this journey together.” He then introduced Eileen O’Hern, Director of the Geneva Chancel Choir and their first anthem, “All Breathing Life Sing and Praise the Lord.” with Charlotte Hsieh on piano. This thrilling four-part chorus Is the finale from Bach’s motet “Sing Ye to the Lord”. The composition offers a great challenge, and the excellent Geneva choir was up to the challenge, mastering the difficult parts and thrilling an appreciative audience.
Next was “O Great Spirit” by Shawn Kirchner. A mood of reverence permeates the piece as Chief Yellow Lark’s words, uttered with eternity in mind, reveal all of life to be sacred. The wonderful cello and piano backing interweaved with the beautiful voices gently carrying the listener to a place of peace and blessedness. The beautiful cello obligato was performed by Michael Duron.
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St. Nicholas Chorale
St. Nicholas Chorale, under the direction of Mary Ester Blakley, accompanied by Brian O’Neill, piano, and Joe Stone on flute, performed “I Am the Vine” by Allen Pote, one of the most creative writers in the sacred music world. This newer work with a text from John 15 celebrates the “tree of life” and that we are all connected through Christ as the vine.
They Shall Soar Like Eagles, composed by Laura Manzo. Based on Isaiah 40:29-31, the chorale moved through the anthem with style and grace. The melody offered many opportunities for full musical expression while the piano accompaniment and flute obbligato enhanced the entire piece.
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The program closed with the combined choirs and guests joining once again in singing a rousing rendition of “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee”, lyrics written by Henry van Dyke in 1907 with the intention of musically setting it to the famous “Ode to Joy” melody of the final movement of Ludwig Van Beethoven’s final symphony, Symphony No. 9. The song ended with thunderous applause from all in attendance. Following the program, a reception hosted by Lutheran Church of the Cross took place in the St Nicholas Catholic Church’s Sporrer Hall. It was a fitting ending to the wonderful afternoon as performers and guests from the surrounding congregations continued to enjoy their friendship and common appreciation of their music, and their love of God.
