Heavenly voices filled the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church Monday night as the Selma Choral Society rehearsed for their upcoming performance of “Messiah.”

Choral Society member Rev. Ralph Joseph said the performance on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church will mark the 57th year the chorus has brought George Friedrich Handel’s masterpiece to Selma.

Under the director of Gordon Welch, Minister of Music at First Baptist Church, the nearly 40 members of the Choral Society make up a cross-section of the community, representing all races, backgrounds and professions.

Welch said the Choral Society has also become a family affair this year, with a father and son, brother and sister, and husband and wife making up some of its membership.

“All of these singers are volunteers,” said Welch. “This is our Christmas gift to the community.”

The Choral Society has been rehearsing for “Messiah” since October, and during their Monday night practice it was easy to see that the group is ready for their big night.

“We’re going to have seven ‘Messiah’ selections,” Welch said. “Area ministers are going to be doing prayers and we’re going to have three readers doing scripture passages.”

Those ministers include Joseph, pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and First Presbyterian’s Dr. Ronald Stone.

The scripture readings at this year’s “Messiah” performance will be Alston Fitts, Ruth Talton, and Anna Veach.

Guests to the performance can expect to hear the first two parts of Handel’s work, including

“And Glory of the Lord,” “And He Shall Purify,” “O, Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion,” and “Hallelujah.”

Welch said the Choral Society will also do three Christmas anthems, “Lo, How a Rose E’re

Blooming,” “Christmas Day” and “Shepherd’s Pie Carol.”

“The performance is open to the public free of charge as a Christmas gift to the community,” said Alfred Morelock, president of the society. There will be a freewill offering taken to help defray expenses.”

Other officers of the society are Sally Jordon, vice president; Regina Woodson, secretary and Samelia Woodson, treasurer.