Belfast Community Gospel Choir

When you spend time with Marie Lacey you are introduced to someone who just loves life. Marie is from Northern Ireland and to be more specific Belfast. She was born into a time of turmoil and was a young teen the “Northern Ireland Troubles” began in 1968. Terrorism took 3,600 lives as her country was shackled by hate and disunity. Some close to her were killed. Instead of cursing the darkness she kept close to the light of the Gospel. She led others in Worship and Music at home and abroad but felt a new sense of hope when a cease-fire and peace was finally agreed upon on April 10, 1998 now called the “Good Friday Agreement”. Marie has the gift of bringing people together and led an observance by forming a community choir. She did the same when the British government asked her to lead a celebration at the turn of the millennium. Mac Davis once wrote, “Music is the universal language, and love is the key, To peace hope and understanding, and living in harmony, So take your brother by the hand and come along with me, Lift your voices to the sky, tell me what you see.” Marie could have just as easily written these lyrics and loves to integrate “oldies” into their concerts. The flicker of community choirs she organized over the years became a raging fire in 2009 when she formed the Belfast Community Gospel Choir (BCGC). Their message of peace, love and joy with a Gospel flair gets your hands to clapping and your heart forgetting your troubles. The choir is not only Irish but composed of members from Nigeria, South Africa, Greece and Spain modeling diversity instead of division. They have performed for Heads of State and Hoosiers. From Belfast, London, New York, Boston and South Bend. But most importantly you will see a smile in the Irish eyes of Marie because love always wins. I hope you can join us on Good Friday, April 19th, 7PM at Lakeview Middle School Auditorium, 848 E. Smith St., Warsaw for a free concert (Freewill offering to be taken to support Heartline Pregnancy Center). The message of Good Friday and Easter will be shared that there may be trouble but Jesus has overcome this world!

A United Church For A Divided World

There are many who talk about what we need today. Everyone has an opinion. But one I know we need for sure is a “A United Church For A Divided World”. The sad thing is that many times the church, the Bride of Christ, is as disjointed as our culture. I have told others that Christianity is like an ice cream shop. There are many different flavors but you are always getting ice cream with its basic ingredients of water, milk and sugar. As followers of Christ we gather around the fountain of living water given to us through Jesus. As our thirst is quenched we share His love to a world that is parched and dry. We desire the milk of the Word (The Bible) that calls us to repentance and humility before God the Father. We celebrate the sweetness of the New Life through the Power of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:1-6 says, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” When folks gather on a hot July day at an establishment they don’t argue about the best flavor or sit in the Moose Tracks, Mint or Buttered Pecan section! They just enjoy ice cream! The same should be for people of The Way even though we may have the flavor of Pentecostal, Methodist, Baptist, etc. We should welcome each others company because of Jesus! We strive for unity because we serve the Prince of Peace...and how the world cries out for those who promote accord!