NewSong concert benefits families

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
November 24, 2005

The Christian contemporary group NewSong brought Christmas cheer to Sioux City with their Nov. 19 appearance at the Orpheum Theater. Close to 1,600 tickets were purchased for the 4th Annual Families in Need Concert, with proceeds going to Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Sioux City.

"The comments that I've heard about the concert have been very positive. I thought the people who attended the concert were treated to a night of Christian fellowship and encouragement," noted Steve Elbert, director of development for Catholic Charities. "The band was incredible. Not only are they superb musicians, but they are Christian gentlemen as well."

During the first half of the show NewSong featured some of their personal favorite Christian songs, including some off of their most recent CD titled Rescue.

Some of the band members offered personal witness stories and explained how their faith impacted their music.

The second half of the concert featured Christmas music. And as with past years, third- and fourth-grade students from the Catholic Schools of Sioux City joined the band on stage for a few Christmas numbers, including NewSong's No. 1 hit Christmas Shoes.

"They were wonderful working with the children as well as the choir director, Mrs. Mary Conway. We are very appreciative to the Catholic Schools of Sioux City children's choir as well as Mrs. Conway - for all they did for the concert, too," noted Elbert.

NewSong mentioned that this was their first Christmas concert of the year. Band member Eddie Carswell pointed out that they do about 100 concerts a year and of that about 80 are Christmas concerts.

"When you believe, he's all you need that will be your defining moment," said Carswell in opening comments.

They noted that their Christmas tour this year was titled The Christmas Blessing. The Christmas Blessing is a book by Donna VanLiere, it is a sequel to The Christmas Shoes. The story will be featured as a CBS Sunday Movie. It is scheduled for broadcast on Dec. 18. NewSong will debut The Christmas Blessing song in the movie.

NewSong showed a movie clip of the first movie, The Christmas Shoes during the concert. That song inspired the book and then the CBS movie.

Some of the most touching parts of the concert came through the personal stories of band member Michael O'Brien.

He pointed out that a number of years ago he was making some bad choices and trying to "find happiness in the world." O'Brien said he almost had to lose his life before he realized that you could only find happiness in Christ.

The singer/keyboard player told the parents in the audience that marriage was not about happiness, it was about commitment. He prayed for the marriages and asked God to bless them.

The concert closed with the song O Come All Ye Faithful.

Elbert mentioned that he is pleased with the fact that a number of Catholic Charities clients were able to attend the concert thanks to the generosity of ticket sponsors.

"The concert itself," he added, "benefits children's and family counseling programs at Catholic Charities. There is always a need for funds because we provide services on a sliding scale fee. More times than not, we are one of the last hopes for people to receive counseling services."

He extended gratitude to the sponsors of the Families in Need Concert: Knova's Carpets, Brown Construction, Channel 4-KTIV, Sioux City Journal, Central Bank, Security National Bank, Eagle Ridge Corporate Services, Christiansen Family Foundation, Deacon Jim and Carolyn Sands, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lickteig and Dr. and Mrs. Mike Jung.

"I also want to thank people for coming out to the event and supporting Catholic Charities," said Elbert. "What is wonderful about this concert every year is that it is a chance for people to gather for Christian fellowship and at the same time help their brothers and sisters in need."