The pews were filled at Trinity Lutheran Church on Sunday afternoon as area churches came together for the annual organ and choral concert.
"This is just an opportunity to share some good music and fellowship," Pastor Harold L. Hand Jr. said. "There's a lot of talent in this community."
Joining the Trinity Lutheran Church Choir were choirs from the First Baptist Church, First United Methodist Church, Trinity Episcopal Church and the United Presbyterian Church.
The crowd consisted of people from the five churches, as well as others who may not attend any of them.
"I think they look forward to it because they know the quality of the program," Hand said. "It gives them something to do on a Sunday afternoon."
Michael Kiehner, who played the organ, and Catherine S. Zimmerman, who conducted the choirs, were the concert organizers.
The annual organ and choir concert started eight years ago as part of the church's 175th anniversary, Kiehner said. The other churches have been participating in the annual concert the last four years. Kiehner said attendance has grown each year since then and this year may have been the best turnout.
Kiehner was a music teacher in the Pottsville Area School District for 34 years before retiring in 2005. He served as organist and choir director at the First Baptist Church and Evangelical United Methodist Church before he started at Trinity Lutheran in 1995.
Zimmerman is a music educator at the school and teaches middle school general music, chorus and instrumental music. She conducts the Chancel Choir and the handbell choir at the United Presbyterian Church.
After the concert, Kiehner showed the Girl Scouts attending how to use the organ.
"Whenever I see the kids look at the organ, I love to show them how it works. The kids enjoy it," Kiehner said.
Jennifer Ebling was in charge of the Girl Scout Troop 30982, which meets at the church. The girls are working on their music badge.
"When I went to school, Mr. Kiehner was the music teacher and introduced us to the musical instruments," Ebling said. "I want them to be exposed to Mr. Kiehner's recital because of the excellent music and because it brings people of different denominations together."
Ebling's daughter, Hattie, 10, also a Girl Scout, said the group really enjoyed the concert.
"Many of the girls were impressed because it was a new experience for them," she said.
The next musical event at the church is at 4 p.m. Nov. 14, featuring flutist Nora Suggs and organist Stephen Williams.