On Maundy Thursday, April 13, 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 accompany the choral works on her violin.
The dramatic narrative readings are drawn from biblical passion accounts as well as Psalm 27. There will be a celebration of the Lord’s Supper led by Pastor Tom Oak. 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.
A fully supervised nursery will be available for the Tenebrae Service.
The First Presbyterian Church will offer a celebration service of Easter at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 16. Probably the most traditional way of celebrating Easter is through special music and song. At the First Presbyterian Church of Cazenovia, Music Director Vince Guarneiri has planned a special program of music. The organ prelude will be “Christ Lag in Todesbanden” by J.S. Bach. The choir anthem will be “Alleluia Christ Is Risen” by Beethoven/Hopson. The postlude will be “Finale from Organ Symphony No. 2” by Charles Marie Widor.
Trumpet players, Kevin Johnson and Nick Barna will not only play with the organ on the prelude and accompany the choir’s anthem but will also give accompaniment to the congregation’s hymns: “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today”; “The Strife Is O’er” and “Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna!”
Johnson has worked in the Cazenovia School District for 15 years. He conducts the 9-12 grade Concert Band, 9-12 grade wind ensemble, pit orchestra, pep band and marching band. Barna is a junior at Cazenovia High School. He has been playing trumpet for six years and sits first chair in the Cazenovia High School Wind Ensemble. He also plays lead trumpet in the jazz ensemble and pit orchestra and dabbles at the piano.
The center of the service will be the sermon “Hanging onto Easter” by Pastor Tom Oak. The message is based on John 20:1-18.
