Praise through music is repeatedly encouraged in the Bible, and First Baptist Church in Jefferson City is responding in multitude.
At 7 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday, the church will host Piano Praise, a coordination of four groups of 10 pianists. Each group will take turns playing on five grand pianos - two pianists per piano.
Two of the groups are adult, one consists of youths ranging from 13-18, while one is children ranging from 8-13.
Denise Turner has been coordinating the event for the church, and will also perform at the event. Another organizer is Denise Gillam, a member of the church who also runs a private piano studio. She will direct two of the four 10-member groups of pianists.
They and other organizers have been planning the event since April, and holding practices since July.
Coordinating rehearsals for the event hasn't always been easy, Gillam acknowledges. "It's tricky," she said. "You have to be able to listen and all follow along. Five grand pianos is a lot to listen to and all play together on."
Organizers describe the rehearsals as "both grueling and fun."
Gillam said: "You have to start together, slow down together, speed up together, get soft, get loud. There's a lot of detail, and it takes a lot of time."
The event is free and open to the public. "There are no tickets. You just come and enjoy the music," Gillam said.
Come early to find a seat, she encouraged, because it will likely get crowded. This is the church's ninth iteration of the event, which was last held in 2011.
Most, but not all, of the pianists are members of First Baptist. Also, most of the musicians are not professionals.
"Music is one of those things people will come and be a part of," Gillam said. "This is an outreach to the community. You can share God's love a lot of different ways. This is just a unique way to get God's love out in the community."
The church says the event is a witnessing tool that fits the church mission of "being an inclusive and diverse family of faith."
She said the event will feature several mother-daughter pianist teams and at least one set of three generations playing at the same time. Gillam will perform along with her mother and both of her children.
Sacred songs being performed at the event range from "This Little Light of Mine" to "Victory in Jesus" to Christmas carols such as "Bells of Christmas," which is a montage of "Jingle Bells" and other Christmas songs.
If you go
What: Piano Praise, a coordination of four groups of 10 pianists performing sacred songs, including Christmas carols
Where: First Baptist Church, 301 E. Capitol Ave. in Jefferson City
When: 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Cost: Admission is free to the public. Seats are first come, first served