Led by the reverberating bass of the Rev. Paul Sadler and the soul-lifting splendor of guest soloist Pat Harris, UCC national staff members gathered Feb. 8 in the UCC Amistad Chapel for a "Sing-A-Long" during the second worship service celebrating Black History Month.

"It's always a joy to come ‘home,' " said Sadler, pastor of Zion Congregational UCC in Cleveland. "This chapel is very special to me. I was here the day they dedicated the chapel, and I sang in choir then known as the New Century Chorale."

Sadler led the hand-clapping, toe-tapping worshipers to their feet right off the bat with "Let God Arise (Let God's Enemies Be Scattered)." In the next selection, he encouraged participants to sing their part –– soprano, alto, tenor or bass.

"I know you can do it," said Sadler. "You are the national staff of the United Church of Christ. I am sure you can reach up into the heavens and pull down some harmony."

Be glorified, be glorified.
Be glorified in the heavens.
Be glorified in the earth.
Be glorified in this temple.
Jesus, Jesus.
Be now glorified.

Blending passion and power, Harris –– a Cleveland-area vocal coach with a resume of musical credits as long as her soprano range is high –– introduced "a particular spiritual that touches my heart." The former lead soprano for the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra performed an octave-breaking rendition of "Give Me Jesus," leaving no hearts untouched.

Accompanied by Drene Ivy, an instructor of jazz composition and piano theory who has written more than 200 songs, Sadler and Harris combined for "Deep River." The number was followed by a reading by Deborah Price, UCC Black History Month committee member.

"I refuse to believe that we are unable to influence the events which surround us," read Price, from "An Affirmation of Faith," based on the writings of Martin Luther King Jr. "I refuse to believe that we are so bound to racism and war, that peace, brotherhood and sisterhood are not possible."

In Sadler's "benediction," he asked worshipers –– starting with sopranos and ending with basses –– to stand and add their part as they sang "Christ Has Done Marvelous Things –– Praise the Lord."

Sadler smiled broadly as harmony filled the chapel.