LOS ANGELES, California—Ditching their signature look that incorporated skin-baring costumes and flashy makeup, members of the Filipino girl group 4th Impact delighted churchgoers at a celebration of the Holy Mass one serene Sunday afternoon.

Wearing trousers and long-sleeved tops, sisters Almira, Irene, Mylene, and Celina Cercado came armed with just the powerful vocal chops that had propelled them to the “X-Factor UK” stage, and captivated the faithful at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Glendale on July 20.

They were obviously subdued considering the setting of their “performance,” but their rendition of Judy Collins’ popular church anthem “Amazing Grace” during communion aptly showcased their God-given voices.

And even minus the explosive song-and-dance routine that many have seen them perform, 4th Impact still earned the admiration of the congregation that did not expect to witness a display of talent that afternoon.

Almira, the eldest of the sisters, was in an all-blue ensemble consisting of loose denim pants and a button-up shirt with the sleeves folded up to her forearms.

Mylene opted for a clean look with her hair pulled away from her face. She matched her distressed denim pants with a plain white top under a dark blue jacket.

Irene took a corporate approach with her gingham-patterned tweed jacket and light-colored trousers. A pair of white peep-toe heels completed the look.

Only the youngest, Celina, sported a relatively playful outfit composed of a cowhide-printed skirt, cowboy boots, and an asymmetrical top.

Although it was their first time to sing at the church in Glendale, the girls said it was not a new experience for them as they were members of a church choir when they were younger. And they may not have started their faith-based performances in their northern home province of Isabela back in the Philippines, but they sang at The Feast of the Light of Jesus Community when they moved to Quezon City.

Almira said she and her sisters regularly attend the 5:30 p.m. Sunday Mass in Glendale. In the morning of that Sunday, she said, they were able to speak to the church’s associate musical director, Tom Makiling.

They also approached Renee Paladini, worship leader under the church’s Music Ministry, who spearheads the late-afternoon Mass schedule’s “modern music” accompaniment. 

“I personally asked her if we could sing. She allowed us,” Almira said. She said Paladini also requested the church’s Fr. Anthony Garcias to give his “blessing” for the quartet’s performance.

“We’re just blessed to glorify, to use our voice to give back,” Almira said. She said all four of them were nervous when they came to the microphone. “But we just surrendered everything to the Lord. We have received so much blessings from Him already,” she added.

According to Irene, their move to the United States two years ago as self-managed artists was the “biggest decision” of their lives. “But it was more challenging, because we started from scratch. We didn’t know anyone,” she said.

Celina said they offered their church song for the successful staging of their first major concert in America, which is scheduled in August. “We’re really praying for that,” she said.

Irene added: “It’s very special this year, because it’s our 10th anniversary as 4th Impact. So, the concert is also a celebration. It will also usher in a new era for the group. We almost gave up, but we never wavered.”

The group’s 10th-anniversary concert, dubbed “Dominat10n,” will be held at the Aratani Theater in Los Angeles on Aug. 29. LA-based Filipino-American artist Troy Laureta will serve as musical director, with Filipino singers Jay-R and Garth Garcia as guests.