Worship and Music News

by Barkley Calkins | published: Tuesday, February 27, 2018, 2:34 PM

The Rev. Jenny McLellan (Calvary Lutheran), the Rev. Michael Allen (Trinity Episcopal), and the Rev. David Baer (HPC). Not pictured: Rev. Tom Korkuch (Archer United Methodist)

The Lenten/Easter season is always a busy time. On Ash Wednesday, in the morning, David and other members of the Allendale Clergy Association went to the train station to offer ashes to the commuters. The offer was reportedly well received.

That evening, we had our traditional Ash Wednesday dinner at church followed by a worship service.

This is our third year of sharing our Lenten Soup Suppers with the other churches of Allendale. We will have dinner every Wednesday, from now until March 21, at one of the churches. Soup is served at 6:30, and will be followed by a video and discussion of the "I am" sayings of Jesus. Visit the Allendale Churches website (allendalechurches.org), or watch David's Tuesday Tidings for information on the location.

On Maundy Thursday, March 29th, we will have our traditional Seder and Communion program, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Jesus and his Disciples were celebrating the Passover at the time of the Last Supper when He instituted our sacrament of communion. By celebrating the Seder followed by supper and then communion, we faithfully re-enact the Last Supper while also highlighting the interrelatedness of the Judeo and Christian dimensions of our Judeo-Christian heritage.

We have two Jewish friends who plan to again attend our Seder/Communion this year, as they have for the last several years. Perhaps some of your Jewish friends would appreciate the opportunity to attend.

And remember the Seder is intended for our children; it is the time for telling them the story of the Passover as the Book of Exodus commands. The children will search for the missing Matzoh during the dinner break. Bring your friends with young children to learn about an essential underpinning of our Christian tradition.

On Good Friday, we will have the Stations of the Cross walk at midday—meet at Highlands at 11:45 a.m. to help carry the cross down to Guardian Angel Church, where the procession begins at noon. Our Tenebrae service will be held in the evening at 8:00. I may be contacting many of you to participate as readers; hope you will give me a warm reception.

And Easter will be a joyous for remembering and celebrating the Resurrection. Everyone will be invited to join in the singing of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah. Easter Worship with Holy Communion is at 10:00, followed by a special fellowship hour.

Penny would like to have as many voices as possible join the choir during this most holy season. I can personally attest to the fact that she has a tremendous knack for getting even those who don't think they have any gift for music to "make a joyful noise unto the Lord." Consider giving it a shot.

Blessings,

Barkley Calkins, Chair

Worship and Music Committee