First Methodist Protestant Church will celebrate its 40th anniversary at its Porters Chapel Road location.

If you go

First Methodist Protestant Church will celebrate its 40th anniversary at its Porters Chapel Road location April 26 with an 11 a.m. service, lunch and a 2 p.m. concert by The Gospel Strings. For information, call 601-638-1653.

Scheduled April 26 are an 11 a.m. service, lunch at noon and a concert by The Gospel Strings, a bluegrass group, at 2 p.m.

“We’re just really excited about everything that is going on in the church,” said Robert Andrews, pastor.

Former church pastors have been invited, Andrews said, and a time capsule, believed to be at least 40 years old, will be opened. The capsule was put together at the church’s former home, on Lee Road.

“Now is as good a time as ever to open the capsule,” said Andrews.

From south central Mississippi, The Gospel Strings has opened up for Southern gospel groups such as The Booth Brothers and The Kingsmen Quartet.

Greg Graham, who plays guitar and sings, is the brother of Larry Graham, First Methodist Protestant’s song director. Other band members are Tom Livingston on the harmonica and vocals, Donnie McCullough on the upright bass and vocals, Robin Shelby on the mandolin and vocals, Randy Windham on the banjo and Hugh Cannon on the fiddle.

“We encourage the whole community to come out and see for themselves what the church has to offer,” said Andrews.

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Contact Manivanh Chanprasith at mchanprasith@vicksburgpost.com