Church to offer special programs
Brownsville United Methodist Charge is offering two special programs. The Cathedral Handbell Choir of the First United Methodist Church of Irwin, Pa., will perform a program of special music during 6:30 p.m. worship on Sunday at First United Methodist Church, 215 Church St., Brownsville. Featured will be music of handbells, melody chimes, vibraphone and various percussion instruments.
The handbell choir was formed in the mid-1970s when a basic three-octave set (37 bells) was purchased. Several years later, a fourth octave (another 12 bells) was added. A three-octave set of melody chimes was added in early 2002 because of expansion of the church’s music program. The church in Irwin boasts two bell choirs, with a third just beginning. The Temple Bell Choir, composed of beginning ringers age 6 and up, plays the melody chimes. The Cathedral Bell Choir, which is performing in Brownsville, plays more advanced music on the handbells. There are currently 14 members in the choir. The Cathedral Bells have also performed at various handbell festivals and community events.
The director of the Cathedral Bells is Dianne Strong Runser, a graduate of the music departments of West Virginia Wesleyan College and Duquesne University. Runser has been directing the music program at the Irwin church since 1986.
The program will feature a four-octave set of handbells and a three-octave set of melody chimes, both manufactured by Schulmerich Bells Inc., based in Sellersville. Schulmerich has provided quality handbells to churches, schools and other organizations for almost seven decades.
Luella Krieger will appear at South Brownsville United Methodist Church, 412 Second St., Brownsville, for special services on Sunday, March 30. Krieger’s portrayal of Martha of Bethany and Mary Magdalene were so well received last year that she has been invited to return this year.
Krieger will portray “Ruth, the Moabite Girl’ at 10 a.m. for a charge-wide worship service. There will also be a 7 p.m. service where she will portray “Klara, the Kleaning Klown.’
Krieger was a registered nurse for 21 years until she began working in full-time ministry called “Visitors From the Past.’ She portrays many women of the Bible as well as Whinny, the Whining Klown, who tells Bible stories. She also does various other characters that make Gospel stories more real to those who hear them.
Ruth, the Moabite Girl longs for some excitement in her small town life. She wonders about the strangers who settle in her town, the Hebrew.
“You will see her life turned upside down when it is decided that she will learn more about these Hebrews by becoming a part of their family,’ officials said. “You will experience how her love for her gentle mother-in-law grew through the years until at last she was willing to give up everything that she knew and loved to go with Naomi to Israel. The love story between Ruth and Boaz is one of the most beautiful stories in all of history and you will hear about it first hand.’
The evening performance features Klara, the Kleaning Klown who cleans up in Jerusalem after Holy Week.
Officials said, “She never utters a word, but as you listen to the music and watch, you will see her go from just one more job – to see the Savior face to face.’