Russell Tabernacle Usher Board Presents 'Then Sings My Soul'

           On May 15, 2011, the Usher Board of Russell Tabernacle CME Church, 326 Ledbetter Rd., Spindale, NC, Winston Salem/Greenville District, presented  "Then Sings My Soul," a program of hymns, authors and their stories.
          Other CME churches in the area participated on the program, as well as Wells Spring United Methodist and New Zion Baptist churches. Several songs included the participation of the congregation.
          Tying in with the theme of the program, the opening song was “How Great Thou Art.”  Before each hymn was sung, someone from the choir would read the story behind the writing of the hymn. Some of the stories were very heart warming and some were written as results of a tragic incident or accident.

Front row (l-r): Elbert McDowell, Joyce Lynch, Shirley McNeil, 

Timothy Harris; back row (l-r): George (Bill) Green, 

Ricky Head, Visanskeslappy, J.T. Abrams. Not present, Caroline Poole.

          One of the highlights of the program was the soul-stirring rendition of “It Is Well With My Soul,” sung by the Gospel Choir of Russell Tabernacle. The program ended with “Power in the Blood,” by the congregation.
         The program was well received by the audience. Some of the comments were “unique,” “very interesting.” “I really enjoyed that;” “I have never been to a program like this before.”
         The president of the Usher Board, Shirley G. McNeil, recognized all ushers present. She also read the stories for the congregational songs.
         The pastor of Russell Tabernacle, Rev. Nathaniel J. Poole, gave the closing remarks and the benediction.
          Most of the stories were taken from the book “Then Sings My Soul,” by Robert J. Morgan. It contains 250 of the world’s greatest hymn stories.