First Christian Church celebrates a century of Advent worship Dec. 21 with 100th annual Christmas Vespers

On Sunday, Dec. 21, at 5 p.m. in the First Christian Church of Pittsfield sanctuary, a 40-voice choir of church and community members will present the Vesper Singers’ 100th annual Christmas Vespers, “He Shall Reign Forevermore” by Jay Rouse.
Formed in 1926 by Rev. Russell Booker, the Vesper Singers and their Christmas Vespers have become a cherished Pike County tradition. A brief anniversary video will highlight the choir’s history through the memories of choir and church members.
The choir is under the direction of Pastor Michael Ten Eyck. Soloists will include Charles A. Barber III of Pittsfield — representing generations of the Barber family back to the founding of the church — along with Luke Fesler, Jenny Palmer, Spencer Boren, Kayla Boren, Grace Gordley, Zachary Boren, Christie Mendenhall and Bryn Fine.
A children’s choir and a group of dancers will also participate. Those attending will hear fresh arrangements of familiar Christmas carols, new seasonal music, and concluding selections by Handel and Beethoven.
“Rev. Booker could not have imagined that a century later we would still be celebrating the legacy of making music to the Lord that he began,” Pastor Ten Eyck said. “But it is not about the music or musicians… it is about a message being worthy of such devotion.”
First Christian Church is located at 225 N. Memorial Street, Pittsfield.