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Sonshine ‘Glorious Day’

Back for the 19th season, this music ministry will perform three shows

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Armona Redenius, of Fort Dodge, directs the Sonshine Singers during a rehearsal at Fort Dodge Senior High.

The Sonshine Singers Music Ministry “Glorious Day” will be presented Thursday, Friday and Saturday at First United Methodist Church, 127 N. 10th St.

The performances will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, it will begin at 2 p.m.

There is no admission charge or tickets to purchase, but a freewill offering will be received.

This will be the Sonshine Singers’ 19th Music Ministry and again the group will be singing all types of anthems from heartfelt — “I Can Pray,” “The Old Rugged Cross,” “Glorious Day” — to toe-tapping gospel of “Soul on Fire,” “A Wonderful Time Up There” and “King Jesus is Coming” just to name a few.

“God sent us a savior, his only son, Jesus Christ, to bring us the promise of eternal life,” said Armona Redenius, the director of the Sonshine Singers. “Please join us for this very special celebration of our 19th year in ministry as we sing God’s praises.”

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Carol Sieben, of Fort Dodge, gets some practice in during a recent Sonshine Singers rehearsal.

She added, “The members of this group come from all over the surrounding areas to be a part of the Sonshine Singers.”

The Sonshine Singers is a group of 100-plus vocalists who represent more than 40 churches in the area. The board is comprised of 15 members who head up various committees that allow their organization to flow effectively. In addition to the Fort Dodge contingent, this group travels from Badger, Grimes, Spencer, Callender, Cresco, Hartley, Jefferson, Alta, Otho, Gilmore City, Humboldt, Storm Lake, Gowrie, Duncombe, Manson, Barnum, Palmer, Pomeroy, Bayard, Stratford and Moorland to be a part of this ministry.

“It is always a real joy to work with the singers and orchestra because of how dedicated and talented they all truly are,” Redenius said. “It is our mission to share with our audience God’s message of love and salvation through each song we sing.”

“Beginning her fourth year with the Sonshine Singers, we are very blessed to have Shelly Bottorff as our pianist,” Redenius said.

The assistant director is John Zuerrer and the assistant pianists are Janece Valentine and Lisa Flaherty. Additional musicians are Dean Davis, percussion; Brian Robison, bass; Steve Kelleher, guitar; Dee Murman, flute; Tim Miller and Dave Swaroff, trumpets; Kathy Yoakam, French horn; Nick Moore and Brent Meyer, trombones; Cari Hepperle, oboe; and a string ensemble featuring Tammi, Amanda and Bill Secor.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Bill Secor, of Fort Dodge, plays cello at a recent Sonshine Singers rehearsal.

“And last, but definitely and most assuredly not least, are the very dedicated and wonderfully talented Sonshine vocalists who give of their time and God-given gift all to his glory,” Redenius said.

This year the Sonshine Singers will be recording the ministry so audience members will be able to purchase a CD that will be mailed to them in mid-May.

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