Caz Church Celebrates
(Cazenovia, NY – Nov. 2013) Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas day, which this year is Sunday Dec. 1. The First Presbyterian Church in Cazenovia will begin its celebration of the Advent Season at its 10 a.m. worship service. The first Candle representing the Wonder of the Season will be lit on Advent wreath followed by a litany from the congregation and a choral response from the Senior Choir.
The public is invited. A staffed nursery and children’s Sunday School is also available.
The Rev. Steven Plank, stated Clerk/Communicator of the Cayuga-Syracuse Presbytery will deliver the message “Surely It’s a Metaphor” with Scripture Lessons from Isaiah 2: 1-5 and Romans 13: 11-14.
Kathy Knoff and James Vetter will be playing four-hands-on -the -piano of Carol of the Bells and Pachebel’s Canon as a prelude. The Senior Choir under the direction of Catharine Wheat will sing “Prepare The Way of the Lord” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart based on Scripture from Isaiah 40:4 -5. This music is the closing section of Mozart’s Veni sancte spiritus, K.47. Mozart was twelve years old when he completed this composition in Vienna in 1765. The current setting is arranged by Hal H. Hopson.
The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent. Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God.
Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, of longing. There is a yearning for deliverance from the evils of the world, first expressed by Israelite slaves in Egypt as they cried out from their bitter oppression. It is the cry of those who have experienced the tyranny of injustice in a world under the curse of sin, and yet who have hope of deliverance by a God who has heard the cries of oppressed slaves and brought deliverance!
It is that hope, however faint at times, and that God, however distant He sometimes seems, which brings to the world the anticipation of a King who will rule with truth and justice and righteousness over His people and in His creation. It is that hope that once anticipated, and now anticipates anew, the reign of an Anointed One, a Messiah, who will bring peace and justice and righteousness to the world.
Advent devotional booklets are available at the church office at 27 Albany Street or pick one up during the Sunday service.
If you are looking for an open and friendly place to celebrate the Season of Advent, the Cazenovia Presbyterian Church welcomes you. Child Care is available during the service.
For more information contact the church at 655-3191 or www.cazpres.org.