Jack Bartholomew of Lighthouse Baptist Church, Breinigsville, welcomed members and guests to a special gospel concert on Aug. 27.

“I know you’ll enjoy this. No matter how we treat them they keep coming back,” Bartholomew said. “There will be cookies and coffee during intermission.”

“A love offering will be accepted to help the ‘Witness’ group along. They show their love for you through their music.”

Neal Hartranft, keyboardist, kept the audience entranced before the program.

Hartranft came back to play with the Witness group after a 40-year break during which time he worked at Allen Organ, Macungie. His son and daughter accompanied him to the concert.

“I hope you will press on to the Lord which is Christ Jesus,” said Barbara Smith, vocalist. The gospel music began with “Are you washed in the blood of the lamb?”

“Every day gets more exciting. I’m a child of the king. Every day you hear such bad news, opioid use, depression - well, I have the answer.

“The spirit lives inside us. We not only have this life but eternal life. We have no fear of death any more because we have Jesus Christ,” said Terry Smith, who was with the group since its founding in 1972.

Barbara Smith joined the group 36 years ago.

Witness began at Calvary Temple, South Whitehall, where a group of friends gathered around a piano. They were asked to provide music for the church and the group’s fame spread as other churches invited them.

Two dozen people were members of “Witness” over the years and many continue as pastors or other church workers.

After singing “Amazing Grace,” Smith said serving Jesus Christ is incredible.

“He has done glorious things,” Smith said. “That is why I sing ‘Glory, glory, glory to his name.’”

Smith told the audience that he and Barbara went to Seattle, Wash. to visit a friend.

“I like airplanes and was told there was a Boeing Museum where I saw small planes and big planes and took photos all over the place,” Smith said. “There was tons of steel in them. We went to see the volcanos and looking was a testimony to design.

“The designer was God.”

Steve Housel, who has been with Witness for 15 years, sang “How Great thou Art.”

“God is not like building castles in the sand but like building upon rock that will never pass away,” Housel said.

“‘Witness’ has bookings every weekend from early summer through December,” said Barbara Smith. “Our Christmas concerts are strictly as a ministry to share the gospel of Jesus to anyone who will listen.”

For more information go to witnessonline.org or Facebook at witnessgospelgroup.