Vesper Services at Lilbourn Methodist

Everyone is invited to attend the program at the United Methodist Church, located on Third Street (Highway D) in Lilbourn.

Lilbourn United Methodist Church and the 2016 Community Choir will present the 75th annual Christmas Vespers service on Sunday, December 11 at 4 p.m.. This year's program features the cantata Breath of Heaven as well as additional solos and a special number by a men's chorus.

The service has a remarkable history. It was begun in 1942 by Mrs. Marguerite Tope, the church's choir director, who served as director for thirty-nine years until her death in 1982. Mrs. Betty Joyce Dambach then led the program for the next thirty-two years. In 2013 Mrs. Dambach's health would not allow her to continue, and Mrs. Donna Sapp from Parma graciously consented to keep the tradition alive.

While there have been only three directors, the choir itself has evolved from the local church choir into a community group. This year there are twenty-four members from five different communities, representing a wide variety of ages, occupations, and denominations, but all united by their love of music and the desire to honor this long-standing tradition of sharing the Christmas story.