Singing is its own reward, but singing for a cause is even more meaningful.

St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 10 Delp Road, Lancaster, is seeking volunteer singers for a special altruistic performance it will be putting on this spring. The church's choir will be singing to raise money for the Manheim Township Ambulance Association.

"The attraction is singing together," said Tom Berdos, St. Peter's director of music. "For people who are used to singing in a choir, it's joy. They love it. For experienced singers, you don't have to sell them on it. There's a sense of teamwork. There's a sense of completion and accomplishment. When we do this, people make a lot of new friends. It's also a social thing."

Currently, Berdos has received commitments from 50 singers for the St. Peter's Choir Festival in May, and he'd like to secure commitments from about 50 more. Ahead of the performance, St. Peter's enhanced choir will practice from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. on seven consecutive Thursdays, from April 4 to May 16.

Volunteer singers are being asked to purchase the packet of music for the performance.

"One of the things we try to do is keep rehearsals to an hour," said Berdos. "I need to respect our singers' time because they're giving that to me. There have to be laughs along the way. It has to be hardworking and lighthearted."

"I have seven anthems picked out," continued Berdos. "Each rehearsal we're going to run through them all. I know what parts to work on, which are the hard parts."

St. Peter's Choir Festival will be conducted at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 19, at the church. The program of seven sacred anthems performed in a variety of musical styles will take an hour to present.

A freewill offering will be accepted, and funds will go to the Manheim Township Ambulance Association.

"This was a need we saw in church," said Berdos. "The ambulance association relies on donations. They don't have the funding. We think about, 'Who can I bless?' and there they are. They are the visible ones. This is an opportunity to give back and to help people who have helped us in a time of need. It's mainly music with a group for a good reason."

Berdos said he'd like to raise at least $1,500 to $2,000 with the performance.

"I like the give-back idea, and I think the community does as well," said Berdos. "It's part of the Gospel, extending the grace that God gave to us. I think it's appropriate for a Christian church to do it. It works for us."

The concert will feature St. Peter's choir, but it will also include guest musicians and a guest conductor. Berdos will perform most of the conducting, accompanied by his wife, Debra, at the organ.

"One hundred singers would set well in the space we have," said Berdos. "A large choir allows more people to participate. A large choir also produces a larger sound, and it's more appealing to the audience. For me, it's about giving people an opportunity to sing."

To participate as a volunteer singer, email Berdos at tom.berdos@stpeterslutheran.org.