“Vintage Shelia Jackson.”

That’s what those who are familiar with the talent of Shelia Jackson said.

“Incredible” is what those who were seeing her for the first time had to say about her performance at Summer Monday Nights at First Baptist Church in Wetumpka Monday.

Jackson’s performance included spirituals, old-time hymns and patriotic music. Before she sang the last strains of “God Bless America,” the audience was on its feet in appreciation of the talent they said God has so richly blessed her with.

Jackson also shared her faith and her personal belief in her Lord and Savior.

“I’m always glad to be in the House of the Lord,” she said. “I have the blessed assurance that Jesus is mine.”

Jackson was accompanied by Henry Everett on the keyboard and Larry Thomas on the saxophone.

She was one of seven artists who have been invited to share their talents and their message of God’s love with the people of First Baptist Church of Wetumpka this summer, said Cathy Sanford, child development center director.

“I attended the Pike Piddlers Storytelling Festival at Troy University in 2007 and was just blown away by Shelia Jackson’s performance. I kept saying, ‘We’ve got to find her and get her here.’ Finally, we did.”

Sanford said Jackson’s performance Monday night was outstanding.

“People of all ages were in awe of her talent,” Sanford said. “She drew everyone into her spirituals and hymns. She shared Jesus with us, and we worshiped the way the Lord wants us to worship. When she brought the children up to sing with her, that was so inspiring. We just thank Shelia and her friends for sharing their talents with us, and we certainly want to have her back.”

Janet Motes, director of the Colley Senior Complex, said the group that went to Wetumpka from the complex found Jackson’s performance “absolutely moving.”

“The patriotic medley was so fitting and was a time for all of us to reflect on how great our country is,” Motes said. “Shelia was fantastic and it was an honor for us to be there. After the performance people waited in line to congratulate her, Henry and Larry on a spectacular performance.”

The Summer Monday Nights are a way that First Baptist Church of Wetumpka brings its membership together during the summer months.

To date, other featured guests have been Siran Stacy, former University of Alabama football player, and Jay Jacobs, Auburn University director of athletics. Next week’s guest speaker will be Tom Lester, who played Eb Dawson on the popular television program, “Green Acres.”