Hats off to Roosevelt Memorial Baptist Church in Auburn. The annual Gospel Explosion concert this past Saturday was a truly blessed experience. We were greeted with many hugs and handshakes.

I knew that we would be treated to some great music, which there certainly was, but I also experienced something new firsthand. Gospel music, in and of itself, is a most beautiful form of prayer. It seems to just pour straight from the heart and soul, which makes it especially moving. The rhythmic, repetitive refrains evoke emotion and make it at times soothing and comforting, sometimes uplifting and grateful, and at other times sorrowful and repentant.

In addition, we were treated to the debut of the RMB Liturgical Dance team under the guidance of Gwen Webber-McLeod. They wore flowing white blouses and their movements were very graceful, fluid and expressive. This group sang while they danced, and it was a beautiful witness to their love for Jesus.

Roosevelt Memorial truly makes a joyful noise for the Lord, and you should all be very proud. I would encourage everyone to attend its next concert. Tickets are $5 for three hours of amazing gospel music.

Proceeds go to the Marcus Coleman Scholarship fund at Auburn High School. I would like to acknowledge all of the great talent that participated from this congregation (including its beloved pastor, Robert E. Wilson, who I understand was quite an impressive center for the Auburn High basketball team in his day); Liturgical Dance members: Bobby Richardson, Leslie Walker, Sharon LaPorte, Bessie Williams, Christine Cameron, Deaconess Gertrude Morgan, Belinda Harris, and Rashonda Flowers; musicians: Robert Wilson on drums, Leslie Walker on piano, Herman Brown on bass guitar and Chris Armstrong on the organ, choir: Bessie Williams, Sharon LaPorte, Shirley Coleman, Gertrude Morgan, Belinda Harris, Bobby Richardson, James Johnson, Lionel Walker and Deacon Roosevelt Coleman, and the male chorus: Robert Wilson, James Johnson, Lionel Walker, Andrew Humphrey, Deacon Roosevelt Coleman, Deacon Leonard Richardson and Deacon Robert Shine.

For the second part of the program, the group was joined by members of St. Luke's Memorial Baptist Church Male Chorus from Syracuse, which included Jay Smith on drums, Norris Benjamin on lead guitar, J. T. Lively on guitar, Jerry Dyer on bass guitar, and guest musicians: Joshua Witaker and J. J. Cannon (bass guitar, drums, keyboard and organ). Also the St. Luke's Chorus members: the Rev. Ronald Young, Clearance Caldwell, James McGriff, Deacon Joel Grant and Darnell Smith.

Thanks again Roosevelt Memorial Baptist for a wonderful evening of music and worship.

In other news: St. Joseph's School in Auburn is very busy with special projects during this Advent season. The students are collecting paper products, toiletries, cleaning supplies and Christmas treats for the St. Alphonsus Food Pantry's Christmas baskets. These baskets will be distributed on Dec. 15.

Fourth- through eighth-graders have adopted families within our community and will provide Christmas gifts, toiletries and household items to those in need. A choral concert called “Gloria! Songs of Christmas” will showcase students in first through fifth grades at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, in St. Alphonsus Church, 95 E. Genesee St., Auburn.

The public is also invited to a special preview performance at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12.

Designed for the students by the school's director of music, Karen Hindenlang, the program features traditional and contemporary pieces which quote the biblical words of the angels to the shepherds, “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” (Glory to God in the Highest), along with beloved carols. Woven around these “glorious” choral works will be scripture and poetry offered by students individually and in group readings. Sixth-grade students will assist the program's narrative by staging scenes of the Annunciation, Joseph's Dream, the Angels and Shepherds, the Nativity and the Epiphany. Tom Techman, organist for Holy Family Church in Auburn, will serve as accompanist.

Need a great Christmas gift idea? Tickets for the Andy Cooney Irish Concert, to be held March 13, 2008 at East Middle School, are available at St. Joseph's School or through Cheryl Foster at 253-3174. Tickets for this concert, which benefit the school, are $22 each. This will be a great way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and a wonderful Christmas gift for someone you love.

To learn more about the school's upcoming programs, call 253-8327.Have a great week everyone and stay warm. Remember, God loves you so much.

“This is what is asked of you, only this: to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly hand in hand with your God.”

- Micah 6:8

Denise Bennett is a parishioner at Holy Family Church in Auburn. She can be reached at deniseb132@yahoo.com