The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Voices lifted to heaven, in gospel-singing tradition

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Nearly every seat was taken when the Trilacoochee Church of Christ, 20300 U.S. 301 in Dade City, had its annual Gospel singing event on the evening of Jan. 31. Church members and visitors alike sang along to classic hymns that were chosen by each of the five song leaders of the evening. Each song leader led three to five songs during the 1 ½ hour event. Minister Paul Blake said that his church hosts this popular event on the last Friday of each January – a tradition that began around a decade ago. The program gives the church the opportunity to reach out and connect with the people, all while spending time with each other, the  minister said. Church member Steve Melton, of Dade City, said the event draws a crowd because ‘we just love to sing and enjoy worshipping God.’

Joe Brown, the first song leader of the evening, leads the audience in one of the three hymns he chose to sing. He is holding three fingers up, to signal that they are singing the third verse of the song. Brown, a member of the Lakeland Hills Church of Christ, traveled to the Trilacoochee Church of Christ to participate in the annual event. (Christine Holtzman)
After leading the participants in song as one of the five song leaders, Scott Hartsell, of Land O’ Lakes, left, takes a seat to sing hymns next to Brother Apollo Rodriguez, who is a Benedictine Monk at the Saint Leo Abbey.
Trilacoochee Church of Christ’s annual gospel singing event took place on the evening of Jan. 31, to a packed house. Members of the church and visitors alike enjoyed singing along to the classic hymns led by five different song leaders.
Jim Cooper, of Dade City, reads along in the ‘Hymns for Worship’ book during the annual Gospel singing event at the Trilacoochee Church of Christ. Cooper, a member of the congregation, attended the evening event with his daughter-in-law, Sue Cooper.

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