Welcome given by the late Reverend Calvin O. Butts III of Abyssinian Baptist Church
Let me take this moment to welcome all of you to the Abyssinian Baptist Church for a presentation of Georg Frideric Handel’s “Messiah.” This is the beginning of Holy Season, and we welcome all of our friends and visitors.
George Frideric Handel was and remains even after his life on this earth is ended, one of the world’s greatest composers. One of his masterpieces, of course, is Handel’s “Messiah.”
We are prayerful that this presentation of the “Messiah,” along with other presentations that will take place in this sanctuary, will once again establish our unique local institution as a bearer of culture. And I’m so grateful that you are here to support that work.
Come at any time for worship. And that’s why we are here tonight, through this beautiful music to worship God, so that we decrease while His music increases. I hope you will have a wonderful experience and that you will be inspired spiritually and draw closer to God.
The music performance begins at about 1:50.
THE COMPLETE JOURNEY RECORDINGS OF THE PERFORMANCE OF HANDEL’S MESSIAH WILL BE AVAILABLE AT 8:00 AM, CHRISTMAS MORNING.
Originally performed on December 2, 2011. Exclusively produced by Tony Carnes, Christopher Smith, and Darilyn Carnes of A Journey through NYC religions.
