When Tom Berdos was growing up, he remembers hearing Handel's "Messiah" during the holidays. "My parents often had it playing in the house, so I've always associated it with Christmas," said the director of music at Chiques United Methodist Church (UMC) in Mount Joy. "I always wanted to conduct it, so finally I said, 'Why not?'"

He asked that question - and made the leap into conducting the piece - about 20 years ago. Now he's preparing to conduct it again, this time for the first time at the Mount Joy church, located at 1215 E. Main St.

On Sunday, Dec. 12, the music ministry of the church will present the Christmas portion of "Messiah" at 4 p.m. in a concert featuring a large community chorus and full orchestra. Tickets for the concert will go on sale on Monday, Nov. 1.

A group of singers and instrumentalists from the community and surrounding areas has been hard at work practicing for the concert since early October. Along with community members, soloists at the concert will include soprano Monica Ziglar, mezzo-soprano Amy Yovanovich, tenor Brian Ernstes and bass Justin Beck.

Berdos, who became director of music at Chiques UMC in June, is joined in rehearsals by his wife, Deborah, who is the church organist. She'll also sing soprano in the concert.

Berdos said the concert offers the community an opportunity to hear an iconic piece of music that's been performed consistently since it was composed in the 1740s. "It was originally conceived as a concert piece," he explained.

Over the years, he has honed his conducting skills for the music, which proved to be a challenge. "The first year I conducted it was a learning experience," Berdos said, "but we got through it. It's not the easiest to conduct."

Despite the rigor of conducting such a challenging piece, Berdos doesn't envision stopping any time soon.

"I do this for the glory of God," he stated. "And it also gives people in the community the opportunity to sing this wonderful piece of music as part of the chorus or to enjoy it as part of the audience."

For more information on the concert or to order tickets, call the "Messiah" ticket line at 717-742-5254 or email ccmusic.tom@gmail.com.