Continuing in its long-standing tradition, the First United Methodist Church of Great Bend will offer a Christmas Concert at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 23, in the church sanctuary. Church musicians and guests from other congregations have put together a program of sacred and secular music, said Marc Webster at the church.
The program  will consist of performances by small groups, duets and soloists. As guests enter they will be entertained with music from church pianist Jenny Allford.  A brass quartet consisting of J.B. and Marc Webster on trombone and trumpet, and Carin Gregory and Denise Shoff on French horns, will play. Each of the Websters will also offer solo selections.
There’s also a new vocal group, the “Church Ladies.” The group is directed by Allford and includes some former members of “The Creatures of Habit,” an ensemble from past years that many area people may remember, Webster said. They’ll be singing “Christmas Waltz,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Mary Did You Know?”
Other musical numbers include “Pie Jesu,” performed by Bonny Boultinghouse; “O Holy Night” by Karmi Green;  “Here with Us” by Ashlea Noonan and Andrea Bauer; “Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus” by Allford; “Ave Maria” by J.B. Webster; “Host of Carols” by Marc Webster; and “Fum Fum Fum” and “O Come Little Children” by a brass trio.
The program will last about an hour and United Methodist Women will offer refreshments in the church parlor following the concert. The public is warmly invited to join First United Methodist Church in this musical celebration of the holiday season.
The Church Ladies are accompanied by Jenny Allford and Diana Webster. Singers are Leslie Barrett, Leesa Butler, Betty Erikson, Judy Fox, Brenda Friess, Michelle Fryberger, Karmi Green, Pat Halbower, Phyllis Marsh, Carolyn Maxwell, Doris Meyeres, Debbie Noffsinger and MariBeth Turner.