In New York City, Jubilee Chorus Sings for Homeless and Hungry at the Bowery Mission
Apr 28, 2015
On Saturday, April 25, Jubilee Chorus held a concert at the Bowery Mission in New York City, an organization which has served homeless and hungry in the big city since 1879 when its neighborhood--argued by some--gave rise to the term "skid row," describing an urban impoverished area usually avoided and forgotten by the rest of society.
The Jubilee Chorus team gathered at 11 a.m. to rehearse and pray as they prepared for the event. When the performance started at noon, the group sang a number of hymns, hoping to transfer the love and mercy of God to listeners needing both material as well as spiritual renewal.
The program consisted of a diverse selection of songs, beginning with the bright and uplifting songs, "Total Praise" and "How Great Thou Art," followed by a duet rendition of "The Prayer," and a solo by Judith White. Following each song, many listeners responded with "hallelujah" and "amen" spontaneously out of joy.
The program also included a time of sharing grace and Bible verses. Gail Fuentes read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and blessed the audience, praying, "I pray that you all accept Jesus and have peace and hope in Jesus."
The group's conductor Elizabeth Swanson, who is an Assistant Professor of Music at Nyack College School of Music, said in closing at the end of the performance, "God is in every corner of our lives, whether we see it or not, whether we hear it or not, God is there."
She added, "In big ways and in small ways. Nothing stays the same, the world is always turning. [But] God will be with us in the midst of any situation."
