Handel’s Messiah

In a small London house on Brook Street, a servant sighs with resignation as he arranges a tray full of food

he assumes will not be eaten. For more than a week he has faithfully continued to wait on his employer,

and eccentric composer, who spends hour after hour isolated in his own room. Morning, noon, and

evening and returns later to find the bowls and platters largely untouched.

Once again he steels himself to go through the same routine, muttering under his breath about how oddly

temperamental musicians can be. As he swings open the door to the composer’s room, the servant stops

in his tracks.

The startled composer, tears streaming down his face, turns to his servant and cries out, “I did think I did

see all of Heaven before me, and the great God Himself.” George Frederick Handel had just finished

writing a movement that would take its place in history as the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

This work has had an uncanny spiritual impact on the lives of its listeners. One writer has stated that the

Messiah’s music and message “has probably done more to convince thousands of mankind that there is a

God about us than all the theological works ever written.”

In 1992, music and history combined to celebrate G. F. Handel’s original “Messiah.” Composer and

arranger Mervyn Warren along with co-producer and executive producer Quincy Jones combined gospel,

R & B, and traditional religious traditions and foisted them on a European musical masterpiece. Thus was

born “Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration”

The feat of putting classical sounds to contemporary rhythms is spectacularly achieved. The Grammy and

Dove award-winning album’s purpose is made known in the Overture, which is aptly titles: “Overture: A

Partial History of Black Music.” To hear it is to hear the genesis of the black American historical

experience—put to music. In most of the songs, Warren takes a traditional first couple notes of George F.

Handel’s oratorio, and then turns the remaining notes on their axis, wheeling and spinning them around

to make a variation on the melody’s theme. To not feel the emotions stirred by the soulful movements is

nearly impossible!

*Unauthorized recording devices are prohibited. Please turn off all cell phones.*

OVERTURE: A PARTIAL HISTORY

OF BLACK MUSIC

Elizabeth Seton Divine Dancers

COMFORT YE MY PEOPLE

Shelly Moore and Phillip Williams

Zion Baptist Church Dancers

“…and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned…The voice of him that

cried in the wilderness; Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our

God.” (Isaiah 40:2-3)

EVERY VALLEY SHALL BE EXALTED

Cierra Goode and Roy Patten, Jr. with Dr. Mark A. McCleary

“Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low, the crooked straight and the rough

places plain.” (Isaiah 40:4)

AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD

Judith Bouknight

“And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord

hath spoken it.” (Isaiah 40:5)

BUT WHO MAY ABIDE

THE DAY OF HIS COMING?

Thomasena Nelson

“But who may abide the day of his coming and who shall stand when He appeareth?

For He is like a refiner’s fire.” (Malachi 3:2)

AND HE SHALL PURIFY

Keiva Richardson

St. Augustine Liturgical Dancers

“And He shall purify the sons of Levi, that they may offer unto the Lord an

offering of righteousness” (Malachi 3:3)

BEHOLD! A VIRGIN SHALL CONCEIVE

Daena Brown

“Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call his name Emmanuel, God with us.

(Isaiah 7:24; Matthew 1:23)

FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN

Mass Choir

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and

His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, The Prince of

Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

GLORY TO GOD*

Children’s Mass Choir

In His Name Liturgical Dancers

“Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14)

REJOICE GREATLY,

O DAUGHTER OF ZION

GRACE

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold thy King cometh unto thee!

He is the righteous Saviour, and He shall speak peace unto the heathen.” (Zechariah 9: 9-10)

BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD

The Band

“Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

LIFT UP YOUR HEADS, O YE GATES

Elizabeth Seaton Gospel Choir

“Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors, and the King of Glory shall come

in. Who is he King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye

gates and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is the King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of

Glory.” (Psalms 24:7-10)

WHY DO THE NATIONS

SO FURIOUSLY RAGE

Michael Holland

“Why do the nations so furiously rage together? And why do the people imagine such a vain thing? The

kings of the earth rise up, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord, and against His

Anointed.” (Psalms 2:1-2)

I KNOW MY REDEEMER LIVETH

“I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though

worms destroy this body; yet in my flesh shall I see God.” (Job 19:25-26)

“For now is Christ risen from the dead, the first fruits of them that sleep” (I Corinthians 15:20)

HALLELUJAH CHORUS

Mass Choir

Liturgical Dancers

“Hallelujah! For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom

of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever. King of Kings, and Lord of Lords,

Hallelujah!” (Revelation 11:15, 19:16)

*by Fred Hammond

About the Director

Since the age of twelve, Samuel E. Cromwell, Jr. has dedicated his music to the Lord’s service. With gospel

music as his first love, he has directed several regional groups including EC Mass Choir, the Bladensburg

Cathedral Choir, Shiloh Baptist Youth choir and gospel choirs for St. Gabriel, St. Martin de Porres and St.

Augustine Churches as well as the First Church of Seventh-day Adventists. His gift has been featured at

the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) and Thomas Dorsey conventions.

In 2004, he led the Elizabeth Seton Gospel Choir to New York City for their first award-winning

performance at the Pathmark Gospel Music competition. His music ministry has included performances

with Darryl Coley, Tramaine Hawkins, Donnie Harper, and John P. Kee. Mr. Cromwell has touched souls

throughout the United States as well as Toulousse, France, London, England, Toronto, Canada, and Costa

Rica. Through his signature group, GRACE, he continues to declare his unwavering love for God and his

thankfulness for His grace and mercy.

First SDA Mass Choir

Organized in the fall of 2007 with the merger of the Chancel Choir and the Voices of Zion Gospel Choir,

the First SDA Mass choir has a threefold mission:

To praise the Lord—“Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.”

(Psalms 149:1)

To edify each other in “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual

songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:16) and

To reach the lost, that our ministry is “as unto a light that shineth in a dark place.” (2 Peter 1:19).

The choir believes that music is a vitally important piece in the journey of faith. Music deepens our

experiences in worship, making celebration, meditation, prayer and mourning even more meaningful.

Through the beauty and power of music, we seek to connect with our Lord in a very personal and

heartfelt manner. From contemporary to sacred classics, the choir melds both music and congregation in

corporate worship to glorify our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Under the capable direction of Samuel E.

Cromwell, we strive to embody the gospel of Jesus Christ by reaching out to others through song ever

lifting up the name of Jesus.

St. Augustine Gospel Choir

St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church has the unique distinction of being the "Mother Church of Black Roman Catholics in the Nation's Capital." The church can trace its history back to 1858, and with the help of President Abraham Lincoln, a group of emancipated Black Catholics set up a school to educate their children. It is out of this heritage that the St. Augustine Gospel Choir was established in 1977. Today, the St. Augustine Gospel Choir is under the direction of the highly gifted Mr. Samuel Edison Cromwell since 1998. The Choir was featured in the Smithsonian Institution's documentary "Wade in the Water," a four volume history of gospel music, a Christmas Eve edition of ABC's Nightline on gospel music history, and the "Fire in the Pew," a Passion for Faith; a collaboration project on the impact of gospel music in the church. The Choir continually spreads "good news" in churches, concert halls and workshops across the United States and abroad. It has been an exciting 31 years singing in places such as St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City for Pope John Paul II, Toulouse, France and San Jose, Costa Rica for the African Diaspora Festival of the Flowers. The Choir also had the distinguished honor of performing for former President and Mrs. Clinton. Most recently, in April 2008, the Choir was invited to the White House to honor Pope Benedict XVI’s first visit to America. The Gospel Choir's repertoire consists of African American spirituals, hymns and contemporary gospel music, and can be heard every 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Sunday at the 12:30 P.M. Mass at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church, 15

th and V Streets, N.W. in Washington, D.C.

St. Augustine Liturgical Dance Ministry

Sonelius Kendric-Smith and Michelle Bowie formally organized the Saint Augustine Liturgical Dance

Ministry in 1996. In 1999, Minister Joyce Chesley Hayward became the choreographer for the Ministry

and continues to share her gift of choreography across the waters from Bermuda via the videotape

ministry.

The Saint Augustine Liturgical Dance Ministry has ministered at many churches and organizations throughout D.C. and outside the metro area. They are fully committed to praising our God and seek to serve Him with integrity in the ministry of movement.

The ministry is thankful to God for the privilege and honor to serve Him during twelve years as dance

ministers and prays that each movement made will be transformed into an act of worship.

Elizabeth Seton High School Gospel Choir

The Elizabeth Seton High School Gospel Choir, under the direction of Mr. Samuel Cromwell began in

September 1998. Ms. Vanessa Cooke is the moderator. Mrs. Deborah Simpkins joined the choir as a co-

moderator in 2004.

The choir is a group of talented and spirit-filled young women who love singing God’s praises. The group

sings in 3-part harmony which is unique to an all female choir. The group has continued to grow, not just

in their repertoire, but spiritually as well. Over 100 girls yearly have consistently participated in the choir

over the past eleven years. The choir is comprised of students from over 50 different churches and

parishes.

The choir performs at many area churches and for school assemblies and Liturgies. Additionally they

performed at the Pathmark Gospel Choir Competition in New York on three occasions. Twice the group

won 1st Place and they placed 2nd once.

In His Name Liturgical Dance Ministry

July 29, 2006 marked the beginning of a new ministry at the First Church of Seventh-day Adventists and a

dream deferred was realized. The first annual liturgical dance recital, “Dancing with Angels” under the

direction of Deborah Thomas was held. The beauty, grace, and spirituality of praise through expressive

movement were demonstrated by liturgical dance ministries from several area churches. The response of

our membership was overwhelming and the “In His Name Liturgical Dance Ministry was born.

Organized into five subgroups, namely Little Angels (ages 3-6); Shining Stars (7-10); Exalted Praise (11-21);

Ordered Steps (22-39); and Majestic Jewels (40 +), the ministry has provided its members with

opportunity to glory and edify God in worship services at First Church and several other churches in the

Metropolitan Washington area. Choreographers Deborah Thomas, Kari Hines, Patricia John, Alison Nooks

and Niya Davis have thrilled our hearts and elevated our praise in their selection of traditional and

contemporary gospel, Negro spirituals, and hymns as accompaniment for the liturgical expressions. The

ministry also includes a mime group and continues to utilize expressive movements, color, and

synchronicity to interpret the scriptures through dance.

SOLOISTS

Shelly Moore and Phillip Williams

Cierra Goode and Roy Patten, Jr.

Judith Bouknight

Thomasena Nelson

Keiva Richardson

Daena Brown

Michael Holland

GOSPEL GROUP

GRACE

CHOIRS

Saint Augustine Catholic Church Gospel

Choir

Mass Choir of the First Church of

Seventh-day Adventists

Zion Baptist Church Choir

Elizabeth Seaton Gospel Choir

Children’s Mass Choir

LITURGICAL DANCERS

In His Name Liturgical Dance Ministry,

First SDA Church

Saint Augustine Liturgical Dance

Ministry

Elizabeth Seaton Divine Dancers

Zion Baptist Church Dancers

DRAMATIC SPEAKER

Dr. Mark A. McCleary

MUSICIANS

Jason Craig, Keyboard

Kevin Holmes, Percussion

DeWayne Holton, Drums

Warren Jones, Keyboard

Todd Pincham, Saxophone

John Poindexter, Bass Guitar

George Stewart, Piano

Lawrence Walker, Lead Guitar

STILT WALKER

Kombo Omolara

BACKGROUND VOCALS

Lynda Hodges

Eric Hodges

Sharon Hodges

LIGHTING/SOUND PRODUCTION

Communications Department, FSDAC

Derek Watts, Director

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Sheryl Harris-Watts, TruConcepts

In Appreciation

The Music Department of the First Church of Seventh-day Adventists gratefully

acknowledges the contributions of the following departments and individuals

for their generous support to this endeavor.

Words can never convey the depth of our heartfelt gratitude:

The Pastorate of FSDAC, the Deacon Board, the Communications Department,

the Usher Board, the Deaconess Board

DONORS AND SPONSORS:

GOLD ($101 +)

Geraldine Orr

Three P Inc.

Drs. Lennox & Oudia Westney

SILVER ($40-$100)

Theresa R. C. Benjamin

Art & Jackie Lawson

Michael Moore

BRONZE ($15-$35)

Anjanie Persaud

Special Thanks from the Director

Pastor Mark McCleary for allowing me to be me.

Presidents and Directors of all choirs and all those who have worked with them

Deborah Jeffries and Vernell Fitzgerald

Nola Mondesir and John Smith

Thomas Clark and the Deacons of First Church

Usher Board

Communications Department

God bless you all and thank you for your continuous love,

support, and hard work on this blessed journey.

Roy and Margaret Anderson

&

Karen Perry and Family

Contact: Chaplain Robin P. Walker

Phone: 800.295.9271

Email: chap4u@chapsexpressions.com

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