First Baptist Church in Laurinburg will host the North Carolina Baptist Singers and Orchestra in concert on Feb. 23 at 6:45 p.m. in the church sanctuary.

Made of up 122 ministers of music, music directors, accompanists, and other church music professionals from communities throughout North Carolina, the choir presents sacred choral music that is representative of many different musical styles.

Sylvia Stewart, organist/director of music ministries at the church and a member of the touring chorus along with pianist Michael Hester, is grateful that the orchestra is coming to Laurinburg.

"First Baptist Church is honored that the group has chosen to include Laurinburg in its schedule," Stewart said. "We invite everyone to come and enjoy an unusual worship event; come prepared to experience the spirit of God through some very beautiful music."

This year’s theme is “Waiting on God”, and is based on the scripture from Isaiah 40:31: “Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength.” One of the selections, “Waiting” was written by Raleigh composer Pepper Choplin, who is a member and a director of the Singers. The anthem was also performed by the First Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir at their 2008 Christmas program.

"Pepper wrote this piece last year, one of some 250 anthems he has composed," Stewart said. "It is a meditative piece, and teaches us about patience when waiting to hear God's voice."

Other selections to be performed are Rutter’s “Gloria”, “Be Not Afraid”, “Soli Deo Gloria”, “Here Am I, Lord”, and “I’m Gonna’ Sing”. The First Baptist Choir will join the Singers on “Holy Is He.”

According to the Rev. C.F. McDowell, III of First Baptist Church, this is one of a number of concerts and special events scheduled throughout the year to celebrate the church’s 130th anniversary.

"This concert is part of a series of yearlong events we began in Sept. 2008, which marked the actual 130th anniversary of the founding of our church," McDowell said. "These will continue until Oct. 2009, when we complete the year of celebration with a special worship service featuring Dr. Dan Vestal, executive coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in Atlanta, Ga."

Following the Feb. 23 concert, the next event planned at First Baptist will be a March 7 marriage retreat entitled "How to Stay Married Forever". The event is open to the public.

McDowell invites everyone to the upcoming choral performance.

"All are in store for a true worship experience, with inspirational music and quality voices," McDowell said. We hope you will join us for this special presentation."