The Interfaith Council presented its second annual Family Christmas Sing-Along on Sunday, December 1, at the Malad 2nd Ward building.  More of a concert than a sing-along, the program featured very talented local musicians performing Christmas numbers for the capacity crowd.

After the opening prayer by Art Martinez, the Deacon of St. Paul’s Mission Church, David Jensen, President of the Malad Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, welcomed everyone with a reminder of the true reason for Christmas. He concluded by quoting Neal A. Maxwell, who said that we are all innkeepers who must decide for ourselves if we have room for Jesus in our lives and hearts.

The 20-member Malad High School Chamber Choir began the concert with “The Holly and the Ivy” and “A Winter Morning,” under the direction of Foster Garrett with Lorna Brignone as accompanist. Jens Huckaby then performed “The First Noel” as a piano solo. David and Mary Ann Nielsen and their daughter sang “O Holy Night,” accompanied by Taylor Smith. Performing arrangements of two popular Christmas songs on jazz guitar was Lee Ivie. Maggie Lund performed “Away in a Manger” as an organ solo.

Jeff Richins, accompanied by Lorna Brignone, then read “Christmas Day in the Morning,” a touching short story by Pearl S. Buck. The story tells of a teen-age boy wanting to show his father how much he loved him so he got up earlier than usual on Christmas morning and had the milking all done by the time his father went to the barn.

Sue Stevens then sang “Heirlooms,” followed by Danielle Pettis performing “The First Noel” as a violin solo, accompanied by Lamona Bennett. Hayes and David Teeples then sang “What Child Is This?” accompanied by Chalae Teeples. Taylor Smith performed a piano arrangement of the Bach aria “Sheep May Safely Graze,” and the concert concluded with Lee Ivie playing “O Holy Night” as a mandolin solo.

“Joy to the World” and “Silent Night” were congregational songs with Maggie Lund as the organist and Kathryn Fossum as the chorister.  Mayor Joan Hawkins said the closing prayer.

Organized by Lorna Hess Brignone, the program was conducted by Mike Hess, Jr. Tera Ward and Melanie Coleman used beautifully lit trees and a nativity scene to decorate the chapel. Chris Jensen decorated the cultural hall where refreshments, organized by Sharie Blaisdell, were served at the conclusion of the program.