Sacred Concert caps 38th Popeye Picnic

The 38th annual Popeye's Picnic featured the traditional Sacred Concert hosted at St. Mary's Catholic Church on Sunday.
The prelude included a 20-minute performance by Vicky Beers, which featured songs "Abide with Me," "Dona Nobis Pacem," "Great is Thy Faithfulness," "Because He Lives," How Great Thou Art," "His Eye is on the Sparrow," "Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling" and Jesus Loves the Little Children."
Beers served as the accompanist for each of the congregational hymns and soloists for the concert, which began with the congregational hymn "This is My Song."
Soloists for the concert were Chester High School Band and Choral Director Steve Colonel, Mitchell Colonel, Melody Colonel, and Kylie Liefer. All three younger soloists are students at CHS.
The first solo of the day was "The Holy City," sung by Steve Colonel. Mitchell Colonel was next with "Here I am Lord."
Kylie Liefer followed with "Jesus, Joy of Man's Desiring." and Melody Colonel sand "Via Dolorosa."
Midway through the concert, the congregation had the opportunity to stand and sing the second of three congregational hymns titled "Hymn of Promise."
The elder Colonel kicked off the second half of the concert with the vocal solo "The Lord is My Shepherd" (Psalm 23) and then sang his second and final solo of the day, "The Lord's Prayer."
Liefer came forward next and sang "He."
Melody Colonel, who is no stranger to the solo arena, closed out her solo portion of the concert with "Bless This House."
Steve Colonel capped the solo portion of the concert by singing "On Eagles Wings" and the congregation then sang "Spirit Song."
Father Eugene Wojcik, who also provided the benediction, closed the day by thanking Gwendy Garner for organizing and coordinating the concert also recognized Beers for her prelude.
Garner extended her thanks to Wojcik and the people of St. Mary's Parish for welcoming the concert into the beautiful sanctuary of the church and to everyone who attended the event this year.