Surprise Benefit Concert for Tawa

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The ECBC benefit concert on July 12, 2008 was definitely one for the history books. Just over two hours long, it was entertaining from beginning to end, as it started with Yolanda Leung's wonderful Rae mission video and great worship from the senior worship team with Blessed Be Your Name and This Is Your Time. It took a twist as Pastor Tawa Anderson quickly discovered through the recorded MC Mark Maney that the concert was in fact, partly... ok mostly, for him and his family.

The second act, the Jesus Wannabes (Joyce Chan, Bianca Ho, Nathan Chan, Peter Yang, Davies Lam, Ryan Chau, Mengya Xu, Vivian Chong, Austen Chan, and Michael Tang) gave an astonishing performance as they played covers from Switchfoot, Casting Crowns, and Kutless. The ten person band was amazing and beyond expectation as they made this their best show. The third act, more experienced Godsend (David Cheung, Geoff Ing, Natalie Chui, Nathan Chan, Winnie Law) also covered songs by Starfield and Audio Adrenaline, with the lead singer as the 2008 Faith Rock Star Geoff Ing.

Beyond the music, there were three talented recitals mixed-in to add to the entertainment of the night. Michael Brown recited poems of The Tumbleweed, and a poem he wrote for Pastor Tawa. Matt Wong put on golden skin-tight pants and did an unforgettable dance to Jamiroquai's "Canned Heat". The group Godsend & Joyce Chan also acted out a number to "So Long, Farewell" made popular by The Sound of Music.

The night reviewed some classic Ecbico Production videos such as Friday Night Fever and Take Heart, but also a once-only engagement of Tawa's Faith Rock Star audition. The video also started the vote for the online Faith Rock Star competition. A special enhanced slideshow tribute was shown on the silver-screen for the Anderson family with CHAOS performed "Let Jesus Heal Your Soul" and Tawa's written "Words Cannot Express". Live MC Zanetta Chui also told jokes and entertained the crowd between acts.

There was an intimate time when Lincoln performed "Repentance" with Tawa. In then end was another heart-felt moment when Nathan accompanied Lincoln in an original song written for the Anderson family. The piece "Seven Years" was written by Lincoln Ho, Nathan Chan, and Michael Brown to reflect the time the Andersons have been at ECBC, and included "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee!", one of Tawa's favourite hymns. Another gift was also presented by Lily Ma to Tawa of a 36-page scrapbook put together by the entire English congregation.

The event, headed by Winnie Law, was a great success and raised over $160 for the mission team and the Anderson family. Thanks goes to everyone who assisted in making the event flow as well as possible.


Seven Years
Lincoln Ho, Nathan Chan, Michael Brown
Henry Van Dyke, Ludwig van Beethoven

Tawa, thank you for the memories
The past seven years that we did see
Through struggles, deaths, and terror
There's also joy and laughter
We saw Mataeo break his arm
Alethea born and with no harm
Keilani the girl that she will be
In one big happy family

Vanessa we won't forget you, For your hospitality
The bulletins, and nursery, Your cows and all the barbecues
The Sunday school, exchange students, the pictures and for all your support
Your cooking and oh your smoothies, oh we can't forget those cookies

Oh we thank you for the memories
The best seven years that we did see
So many changes all around
With you we're safe and sound
Oh the ceremonies you performed
The special times will still live on
For all those funny moments
This one's for those well spent

Your crazy cars that never lock, And annual parties around the block
The hockey, soccer, football. And don't forget the burping contests
Remember those endless all nighters, uno, Axes (&) Allies, and Risk,
While teaching us about the Lord, we YiC YAC, YiC YAC, and yacked again

Oh we thank you for the memories
The next seven years that will see
Your teenagers will drive you mad
But really you'll be glad
The kids will make you lose your hair
Vanessa will think that you look fair
Dr. Pastor Reverend Tawa
Come back to Canada

Taught us to act out faith, Baptised and almost drowned a boy
You married Chark, Starla and Aayo, and soon it'll be Mily
Led us to Rae and Mexico, Vancouver, Jasper, Banff and Cochrane
Played together in CHAOS. we won't forget your Sunday sermons

Lord we thank you for the memories
The ECBC family
Will change but you'll still be the same
We'll still proclaim your name
We will worship God in unity
In one extended community
As days and weeks and years go on
We'll praise you with our songs

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us, brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward in the triumph song of life.