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"Promoting Southern Gospel Music & Christian Unity"

     The Lexington Southern Gospels Concert Series started with a trial concert on Palm Sunday in April 2000 at the Lexington Masonic Temple.  The group "The Sammons Brothers" were scheduled to perform that evening.  Their tenor, Jamie Pittman, was ill and Tom and Jack Sammons "drafted" their wives in that emergency.  Out of this situation, "Sammons Brothers and Company" was formed.  A total of 35 persons enjoyed that Concert and all agreed that they would like the series to continue.  

     We started the Concert Series on September 10th, 2000, at the Masonic Temple  with the all-male quartet "New Destiny".  Lexington Police Officer Pat Dawson attended our October 2000 Concert and she was so impressed with the program that she volunteered to assist in getting it going.    Pat also got Pastor Linda Jo Powers of the Lexington United Methodist Church interested and at the November Concert, Pastor Linda Jo on that date offered the Methodist Church to the group for further Concerts.  The Concert Series was not moved until May of 2001 to the United Methodist Church.  That first concert drew 26 people.  The following month, June, saw the Concert Series change direction.  "Hope's Call", a new female trio at that time, came for a concert and we had our newest record of 75 in attendance.  July came and we had 90 come to see "The Grimshaw's".  Larger crowds started coming to these concerts.

    April 2002 was our next milestone when 150 came to see "Hope's Call" return to Lexington.  July 1, 2002 came and Pastor Linda Jo Powers, who was then our Co-Chairperson, was transferred to Beaverton and Pastor Betty Blair assumed the duties at Lexington UMC.  She, too, was a beacon of light for the Concert Committee.  From April through September the series attracted an average attendance of 103 persons.  October 2002 saw us hit our peak when 199 patrons filled the Sanctuary of the Lexington United Methodist Church to see "The Calvarymen Quartet."  October, 2003 brought new records again when the "Calvarymen Quartet" sang to a record crowd of 233.  

    One highlight came when on April 11th 2003 when we hosted our first  Nationally known Group.  Two weeks prior to that date we received an offer to have "The Weatherford's" in Concert on that date.  The  Weatherford's have appeared on many of the Gaither Homecoming Video's.  After much scrambling, with our committee working as a team,  we were able to pull this one off.  The Weatherford's were very pleased with the turnout (120) and Love Offering and mentioned maybe they could come back in 2004.  And come back they did on September 5, 2004.  They are beautiful people singing beautiful Christian music.

      Our goal is to feature the finest in Southern Gospel Music and to Promote Christian Unity throughout the Thumb.  We  had people representing at least 69 different Church's attend our Concert Series during 2002.  We have had persons from at least 233 different Church's attend our Concert Series since we started keeping track in 2002.  We recently had the Pastor from Prairie Du Chren, Wisconsin visit us.  Even more recently we had a gentleman from Ashland, NE in attendance.  At our April 2010 Concert we had four (4) young people from Italy drop in. They stated they had never heard Southern Gospel Music before and they really enjoyed it.

    All concerts are held at the Lexington United Methodist Church which is located at 5597 S. Main St., In beautiful downtown Lexington, MI. just two blocks south of the light.  We thank the members of the Lexington United Methodist Church for allowing us to host these concerts for well over eleven years now.

LAST:   Concert # 138 "Mark And Andrea Forester"   What a performance this couple put on, despite Mark being somewhat under the weather.  The climax was when they had their two Sons come up for a finale.  Trevor, the 2 year old, certainly held up his end and sang right along with his parents and 6 year old Brother, Tyler.

COMING UP:   Concert # 139 - "New Destiny Quartet" -  This is the group we started the Gospel Series with WAY Back in September 2000.  We had tried a 'test concert' in April of that same year.  This group was a hit then and when they appeared last Summer, people really enjoyed them.  They are currently riding high as their latest release, "Burning the Midnight Oil" will be #69 in the February Singing News Magazine.

More on our upcoming concerts on our schedule page.

PRAYER CONCERNS:  

Please keep our Co-Chairman in your prayers.  Michelle, The daughter of Ollie Spencer is in the fight of her life with Cancer.  Recent reports tell us that there is still hope as she has had somewhat of a comeback.

Please keep Diane Barteld, wife of the Pastor at Central Lakeport United Methodist Church in your prayers.  She has just been informed that she has cancer all the members  of Central Lakeport UMC are praying for her recovery.

Please Keep Pastor Johnnie Johnson of Cornerstone Christian Center, and his father, in your prayers as they were in a very bad automobile accident recently.

All members of the Armed Forces serving around the world as they continue to keep our country free. 

© 2011 The Lexington Southern Gospel News