Tenebrae by Candlelight
Friday, March 29, 2023 at 7 p.m. promptly

Led by Rev. Jamie Hinson-Rieger, our Music Director Brad Conner and our Adult Choir, this service is an evening of stark contemplation in the darkness.  Join us for readings and music.

Tenebrae is Latin for shadows and tells the story of the increasing isolation of Jesus and of all those who suffer. It is a service of reflection and mourning, of remembering loss, and acknowledging grief and suffering of this old world. Though in our worship we often counter the litany of suffering with stories of love and joy, Tenebrae is a time to be in community and be a part of all that is. Held on Good Friday, this inclusive service will blend Tenebrae and Good Friday themes.

The music for this service will be very special. All the musical selections will be masterpieces from the Baroque era. Organist Sandra LaBarge-Neumann will play O Mensch, bewein dein’ Sünde gross (“O man, bewail thy sin so great”) by Johann Sebastian Bach. The choir and instrumentalists will be performing “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” and “Sheep May Safely Graze” by J.S. Bach, Et in terra pax from Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria and three choruses from part II of George Frideric Handel’s beloved “Messiah”. The music will be both meditative and profound.  We will also sing the hymn “O Sacred Head Now Wounded” by J.S. Bach.

One focus of this service will include stones of remembrance.  In the Jewish tradition, it is appropriate to leave stones on gravesites rather than flowers to acknowledge many aspects of mortality and grieving.  Please bring a stone with you and we will place stones on the steps of our chancel to recognize our sadnesses and sorrows.  This service will give each of us a chance to reach for the beautiful, the ethereal and the transcendent while acknowledging moments of uncertainty in all our lives.

This service will last approximately an hour and 15 minutes and will be broadcast on Zoom.

 

 

“Abundance, Joy and the Generous Heart: An Easter Sermon”
Sunday, March 31 at 9 a.m.
Rev. Jamie Hinson-Rieger preaching

Reverend Jamie Hinson-Rieger will be preaching about the unique joy that comes with this special day. Morning is broken! The birds are singing! Spring green is peeking out of the cold ground! Spring is in the air! It’s Easter morning! The historic communion silver will make an appearance! Join us! Hymns will include the uplifting and joyous “Lo, the Earth Awakes Again” as well as “Morning Has Broken” and “O Day of Light and Gladness”.  The prelude will be the sublime Intermezzo from Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana played by Nao Okamoto – violin and Steve Sussman – piano and danced by Dorothy Anderson-Perales and Michelle Dalton.  The adult choir will be singing the “Easter Hymn”, also from Cavalleria Rusticana. Sandra LaBarge-Neumann and Steve Sussman will be accompanying the service assisted by Carol Epple & Virginia Hecker – flutes, Elizabeth Connors – clarinet and Nathan Kimball – cello.  Sandra will end the service with a grand organ postlude, the Finale from Handel’s Organ Concerto No. 5 in F Major. The service will last approximately one hour and will be broadcast on Zoom.  The Zoom link will be sent in another e-mail.

“Easter Four Ways” – Easter Sunday Service for All Ages
Sunday, March 31 at 11 a.m.
Rev. Annie Gonzalez preaching

First Parish’s Minister of Faith Development, Rev. Annie Gonzalez, is coordinating this multigenerational service with assistance from Rev. Jamie Hinson-Rieger.  Celebrate Easter at our Family Worship Service as we engage with the Christian Easter story and learn about the different versions of that story that have been written. We’ll have wonderful musical selections from our Youth Choirs under the direction of Natan Wythe, as well as the sublime Intermezzo from Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana played by Nao Okamoto – violin and Steve Sussman – piano and danced by Dorothy Anderson-Perales and Michelle Dalton and a postlude played by Sandra LaBarge-Neumann – organ.  The service will last under an hour and will be broadcast on Zoom.  Children 5th Grade and under all the way down to toddlers are invited to participate in an Egg Hunt on the Common after the conclusion of the worship service.

Easter Egg Hunt

Our Annual Easter Egg Hunt will follow the 11 a.m. service on the Common outside!  Bring a basket or bag to collect some treasures!  Children 5th grade and under are invited to participate. The Junior Youth Group will be hiding the eggs, but if any other youth/young adults want to help, please contact Rev. Annie Gonzalez:  <parishministeruubedford@gmail.com>