James 5:13, NIV “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.”
The choir has been working on the Good Friday cantata for a couple of weeks, but if you would like to join us, it’s not too late. Our Wednesday evening rehearsals begin with cantata practice, and we also have 9 am Sunday cantata rehearsals beginning March 1. We are also looking forward to special anthems on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday (including everyone’s favorite: Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus!). Some learning tracks are already up on our Facebook group, and I will have more uploaded soon; we use these to work on music at home. We would love for you to join us at rehearsals as we journey through Lent to Easter.
This year’s cantata is a Tenebrae service, to be presented in worship on Good Friday, April 10, at 7pm. The cantata is called “Shadows,” and I’ve arranged it myself, using some of my favorite new Lenten choral anthems. Each section is a “shadow,” and includes a Scripture reading, an anthem or hymn, and the extinguishing of a candle. We begin with a call to worship and a hymn, then we enter the shadows: Shadow of Prophecy (“Let Us Gather in the Shadow of the Cross” by Brad Nix); Shadow of Forsakenness (“Jesus in the Garden” by Joseph Martin); Shadow of Betrayal (“Drop, Drop, Slow Tears” by Philip Stopford); Shadow of Mockery (“What Wondrous Love Is This” by Wes Ramsay & Tim Sharp); Shadow of Denial (hymn “Ah, Holy Jesus”); and Shadow of Cruelty (“Behold the Savior” by Craig Curry). At the conclusion of the cantata, the seven last words of Christ are read, the Solemn Reproaches of the Cross are recited, the Christ Candle is carried out of the sanctuary, and we leave in silence. We would love for you to join us as we share this moving service and remember Christ’s sacrifice and love for the world.
If you are interested in participating in music ministry at First Presbyterian Church of Lake City, please feel free to call the church office at 386-752-0670, or email me at tim@fpclc.org, or speak to me before or after worship on Sunday.
