Fifty-eight members of the Gold Coast Stake of the Church performed the Easter Cantata 'Saviour of the World' written by Janice Kapp Perry, to an audience of more than one hundred at the 'Break Through' Evangelical Church venue at Labrador on the Gold Coast.
Pastor Derek Beatie afterwards stated, "This was the best Good Friday that I have ever had!" as he expressed his gratitude in being able to come together and focus on common beliefs and doctrines rather than differences.
Pastor Beatie thanked the choir and cast for their willingness to share this special Good Friday Easter service with his congregation, and expressed hope that a similar event would take place at Christmas, to further develop interfaith relations.
Two days later eighteen members of the Break Through Church, including a Pastor from Brisbane, attended the Easter Sunday performance of the cantata at the Gold Coast Stake centre.
Stake President Dean Reid, as well as several Bishops and their wives, greeted invited community leaders including Dr Alex Douglas MP, state member for Gaven, and his wife Cr Susie Douglas, prominent Gold Coast City Councillor, at a pre-performance buffet held at the stake centre.
The cantata at the Nerang Stake was performed to a "packed house" with a large number of non-members in attendance. The presentation of the cantata at Labrador and Nerang has done much to enhance the image of the Church as being Christ-centred.
The choir was trained and conducted by Sister Ruth Paenga of the Nerang Ward, with the capable assistance of others. "It was a very uplifting thing to be involved in", said Sister Paenga, "and I know it made Easter more sacred this year for many of us".
Picture courtesy of Rebecca Smibert and used with permission.