“Such a fun trip, every part of the tour is amazing. Sadly, five down, only two more to go. I look forward to Choir Tour every year. I think this tour has been my favorite.”


“I just went on my first choir tour! I have made forever memories this weekend! Working and delivering God’s message through song was my favorite part. I saw God in the smiles on people’s faces and the amazing places we saw. I will forever remember the laughter and the presence of God.”


A Long-Standing Tradition Looking back on 42 years of Youth Choir tours BY STEPHEN EMICK, PASTOR FOR DISCIPLESHIP


“I really enjoyed this Choir Tour even though it was my last one. After this year and last year I regret not joining earlier. I had a ton of fun, and I hope that everyone has fun in the future.”


This past April I had the privilege of helping to lead our Youth Choir Tour for the 22nd


time. Yes, I missed one tour


“After all of these years of going on tour with these wonderful youth, it still amazes me every time we go on tour: the awesome singing, the joy of all the kids, their music message they share with loving arrangements, and the fun we all have together! It was another great year. The Talent-less Show was fun to be in with my friends and joke around. I enjoyed singing at the nursing homes and bringing joy and God’s presence. I’m really excited to attend future choir tours.”


Video highlights of the Youth Choir Tour are posted and available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/a68NSeUJhgA


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in my years as one of your pastors—my first year in 1995 as Barb and I were awaiting the birth of our first child, Allison! While Youth Choir accompanist and tour coordinator Sherry Deal can also claim 22 tours under her belt, we are both outnumbered by Rick Ensley, who this year marked his 25th tour! Between them, the nine adults on this year’s tour count a combined 89 tours in which they have been part of the leadership team. This great experience, begun in 1974 by our former director of music Gloria Snyder, has occurred every year since that time except for two years, 1976 and 1979.


As you can well imagine, tours are full of singing. Not only has the Youth Choir sung in worship in countless churches, but choir members have also shared God’s love through their music in concerts at churches, nursing homes, retirement facilities, and state capitol buildings. During my time on tours, the choir has sung the national anthem at two major league baseball games (Phillies and Orioles) and visited at least two other major league stadiums. Te choir has sung for as few as four and as many as thousands. Te tours have traveled as far as Atlanta (1998) and as close as Harrisburg. Currently we are on a rotation schedule that includes Boston; Baltimore; Washington, DC; Pittsburgh; Williamsburg, Va.; and Richmond, Va.—our 2018 destination.


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