(Cazenovia, NY – March 2015) On Maundy Thursday April 2 the Cazenovia Presbyterian Church will hold a Service of Tenebrae at 7:30 p.m. The service will be centered on a choral and narrative piece titled “Light In The Darkness” by Patrick Liebergen.
This work offers a unique blend of classical Georgian Chants, classical hymns such as Beautiful Savior. What Wondrous Love Is This, and When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.
Mary Coburn, string instructor for the Cazenovia School District, will be accompanying the choral works on her violin. The narrative readings are drawn from biblical passion accounts as well as Psalm 27.
There will be a celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
The cross behind the pulpit will be draped in black. The sanctuary will be lit by candles that are extinguished after each of the readings.
The Service of Tenebrae follows a tradition of the church dating back to the eighth century. The word ‘Tenebrae’ is Latin for shadows or darkness. The Service commemorates the final hours of our Lord’s life on earth, as he suffered death upon the cross. Two large candelabras will light the sanctuary at the beginning of the service. Candles will be extinguished as the service evolves, symbolizing the fading loyalty of the disciples and friends of Jesus. The gradual darkening of the church sanctuary portrays the diminishing light of the world as Christ was departing from it. The service ends in silence with the relighting of the Christ candle.
The purpose of the service is to recreate the betrayal, abandonment, and agony of the events leading to Christ’s death and it is left unfinished, because the story isn’t over until Easter Day.
A fully supervised nursery will be available for the Tenebrae Service.
For more information about the Tenebrae Service or other Easter Season celebrations, contact the First Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia at 655-3191 or visit our website at www.cazpres.org.
Easter Sunday
Pictured is Rev. George VanArman.
The First Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia will offer a celebration service of Easter at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 5. Easter is the most joyful time of the church year. Celebrated against the background of the shadows and darkness of Lent and Holy Week, this season truly becomes a living expression of the hope that God has brought into the world through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Probably the most traditional way of celebrating Easter is through special music and song. At The First Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia, Music Director Vince Guareiri has planned a program of special music. The organ prelude will be “Christ Lag in Todesbandon” by J. S. Bach. The Introit will be the round Jubilante Deo by Michael Praetorius sung by the Senior Choir. The offertory anthem will be “Lives Once Again Our Glorious King” from Psalmonica Evangelica arranged by Walter Eheret with trumpet accompaniment. Benediction response of song and hand bells will be “Christ the Lord is Risen” by Patrick Liebergen. The organ postlude will be “Toccata: The Strife is O’er” by Alfred Fedak.
Trumpet players, Kevin Johnson and David Kempf will not only accompany with choir’s anthem but will also give accompaniment to the Hymns: “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today”; “Come Christians Join to Sing” and “Come Ye Faithful Raise the Strain.”
Johnson has worked in the Cazenovia School District for 12 years. He conducts the 5th grade band, 6th grade band, 9-12 grade Concert Band, 9-12 grade Wind Ensemble, Pit Orchestra, Pep Band and Marching Band. In addition, he teaches 5-12 grade lessons. Johnson started working at Cazenovia right after he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. Johnson also went to the Crane School for his Master’s Degree in Music Education.
In addition to his work in Cazenovia, Johnson is also an adjudicator of soloists and ensembles throughout the state. (Now you know one of the reasons the Cazenovia School District gets high marks in its Music Education!) Kempf is one of Johnson’s students. He is a senior who is going into Music Composition next year. As of now, he has been accepted into the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. He has played trumpet at Cazenovia for 8 years. He also is an accomplished vocalist, earning Area All-State honors for the past 2 years.
The center of the service will be the message by Reverend George VanArnam’s message “A Light Shines In the Darkness.” Reverend VanArnam is the former Director of the Samaritan Counseling Center in Utica. He and his wife, Peggy are long-time residents of Cazenovia. Reverend VanArnam is currently providing counseling services at St. Peter’s Church on Mill Street in Cazenovia.