Fall Festival

Global ministry will be the focus of Maranatha’s 2009 Fall Festival, “A Light to the Nations.”

The Fall Festival will take place Friday, Oct. 16, in the Maranatha Gymnasium. The programs begin at 6 and 8 p.m.

Each musical performance and speech selection will share a different facet of Christ’s role as light in a sinful world, and the responsibility of believers to reflect His light.

Readers’ theatre selections, and a missionary story told by Bible Department faculty member Colene Price, will help bring those concepts to life. The readings will include passages from Scripture, dramatic narrative, and the story behind the hymn “Let the Lower Lights be Burning.”

A variety of ensembles will interpret the evening’s theme in music.

The instrumental groups include Maranatha’s Symphonic Band, a flute choir, a brass ensemble, and a trumpet quartet that will perform a medley arranged by Fine Arts faculty member Daniel Birnschein. The Symphonic Band’s performance of “I Love to Tell the Story” will be enhanced by a photo collage from Maranatha’s Summer 2009 Global Encounters missions program.

The featured vocal soloist will be senior Andrew Mosier. He will sing “Send the Gospel Light,” with music composed by Fine Arts faculty member and program director Carol Senn Ruffin that accompanies text written by Fanny Crosby.

Vocal pieces will be presented by a small mixed ensemble and the combined men’s chorus. The larger vocal groups will include Maranatha’s Madrigal and Handbell Choir, Chamber Singers and the Maranatha Chorale. All groups will combine for the finale, a medley arranged for choir and symphonic band by retired Fine Arts faculty member Dr. Monty Budahl.

Children age 6 and older are welcome to attend. Children under 6 may be placed in the nursery provided during the performance.