'THERE IS HOPE'

The next concert at St. Matthew’s Church will offer a message of hope.

Hope for anyone suffering from addiction, depression, sickness or loss of faith.

Dave Pettigrew, a contemporary Christian artist, will perform a full concert titled “There is Hope” on Sunday, Nov. 10, at 6 p.m., at St. Matthew’s in Voorheesville. Pettigrew has first-hand knowledge of how addiction can affect families. On Good Friday in 2017, Pettigrew’s nephew, Ryan, died of an accidental heroin overdose in Pettigrew’s basement. Pettigrew has released nine albums, most recently “Faith and Gasoline” earlier this year.

To go along with the concert, the St. Matthew's Teen H.O.P.E Club ( Helping Out People Everywhere) created a Teen Singer/Songwriter Competition entitled, "The Sound of Hope,” with the winner opening up for Pettigrew’s concert and playing their original song. The contestants had to submit original lyrics and musical compositions, then perform the song, which had to contain the theme of " Hope." The winner of the contest was The Youth Praise Band from McKownville United Methodist Church and the song is titled “Reborn.” The band is made up of teens from Voorheesville High School, South Colonie High School, The Doane Stuart School and Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons School. 

The judges for the contest included: Fr. Chris DeGiovine, pastor of St. Matthew's Church; Madge Devine, St. Matthew's music ministry director; Michael Urshel, Voorheesville H.S. graduate & previous member of St. Matthew's Teen Hope Club; Dave Stagliano; Diocese of Albany coordinator for Youth & Young Adult Ministry; Mia Scirocco, adjunct instructor of Voice & Rock Music Style, Schenectady County Community College; and Steven Musso, musician, songwriter and worship pastor, Redemption Church. 

Tickets cost $15 on presale, $20 at the door and $30 for a VIP Q&A session and benefit addiction and recovery agencies. The Diocese of Albany is giving away two pairs of VIP tickets and information on how to enter the contest can be found at rcda.org/tickets. Tickets can also be purchased online at iTickets.com or by calling 1-800-965-9324. 

Hospitality House TC Inc., Hope House Inc., St. Peter's Addiction Recovery Center, Capital District Recovery Center and Bethlehem Steps for Strength, Hope and Healing Al-anon Group will all be in attendance for anyone looking for information. Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple will talk before the concert.