An annual holiday occurrence at Simpson Creek Baptist Church is a Christmas cantata which is performed the second Sunday of December during morning worship service.

 

This year, the church has added a second performance of this year’s cantata, titled “Joy Joy Joy.”

 

“We’ve had requests from people in the community who wanted to hear our cantata, but didn’t want to miss their own morning worship service on Sunday morning,” said Randy Carter, director.

 

Community members are encouraged to attend either the 7 p.m. Saturday or 11 a.m. Sunday performance.

 

Created and arranged by David T. Clydesdale, the musical breaks through the busyness, bustle and commercialism of the Christmas season to share the joy found in the true meaning of the season.

 

“Joy Joy Joy” includes four songs from Michael W. Smith's newest Christmas project, “It's a Wonderful Christmas,” as well as two numbers penned specifically for the musical by Michael Farren of the band, Pocket Full of Rocks.

 

“The cantata includes choir, orchestra and narration and the first two songs are performed by a children’s choir,” Carter said.

 

More than 40 church vocalists have been working on the musical since the first part of August and the 18-piece orchestra, which involves individuals from throughout the region – from Morgantown to Buckhannon – have rehearsing for the past month.

 

Christa Kwiatkowski has been prepping the children in third through sixth grades, Carter said.

 

The cantata lasts less than an hour, but has a powerful message.

 

“It’s basically a man and woman telling the story of the birth of the Christ child,” Carter said. “We love to celebrate the birth of our Savior and minister to the people. We hope they will come hear us and be a part of this.”