The Grove City College Touring Choir will be joining us on Palm Sunday, March 28, during worship (10:15 a.m. prelude)
Grove City College is a four‐year, fully accredited liberal arts and sciences college north of Pittsburgh. Its solid reputation is based on a strong academic program, a Christian environment conducive to learning, and a commitment to operate virtually debt‐free.
The Touring Choir was organized in 1959, and has toured annually since then. Directed since 1981 by Dr. Douglas A. Browne, the choir has visited virtually every state east of the Mississippi River, and has appeared at various music educators’ conferences. The choir will sing before (10:15 a.m.) and during Palm Sunday worship. Selections will include Byrd’s “Ave verum corpus,” Gretchaninoff’s “Holy Radiant Light,” Martin’s “When I Survey,” Clausen’s “Hosanna,” and Hogan’s “My Soul’s Been Anchored.”
As a sample of what they sing, here is a modern piece entitled "Vieni Nel Mio Cuore" by Jonny Priano. The text translates...
I'm lost in this wasteland. Love me, Guide me, Christ come into my heart.
While growing up, the season of Lent was a puzzlement to me. Beyond the sale of Filet‐o‐Fish sandwiches at McDonalds, there was little to suggest that the season was different from any other. The older I got, the more misunderstandings grew. From the popular culture, I knew more about Mardi Gras than the season that followed. In fact, Lent, for me, was the opposite of that celebration on Bourbon Street. Instead of indulgence, Lent was about denial. Instead of Dixieland jazz, Lent was about funeral dirges. For forty days, people gave up chocolate, caffeine or fried foods. They sat quietly with their hands folded thinking pure thoughts.
Unfortunately, I always enjoyed Dixieland jazz. As a result, I never truly observed Lent. The only problem is that Lent is really not about denial. Lent is an invitation to turn to God. We remove distractions to concentrate on Christ’s life, death and resurrection. Repentance is less about rejection and more about embracing the God who loves us. Yes, we are sinners, and our lives need to change for the better. Still, God’s grace is not dependent on our acts of piety. The cross of Christ ends in triumph, not tragedy.
Whether we observe Lent or not, the time before Easter is a wonderful opportunity to renew our faith. Come to worship, pray together, and read the Scriptures. Examine our lives and remove those things that distract us from living abundantly. Listen to the blues, but let them melt into joyous sounds of the band.
The Ardmore Presbyterian Church Preschool will be closed for Thursday, February 11, 2010. Due to the Presidents' Day weekend, the preschool will also be closed on Friday, February 12 and Monday, February 15.
Have a wonderful Valentine's Day, and we look forward to seeing your children on Tuesday, February 16.
While you are home watching the snow, please MARK your calendars for the upcoming BACH Festival. All our choirs (and those of Overbrook Presbyterian and St. Paul's Lutheran) have been working hard in preparation for this big event.
DRESS REHEARSAL -
SAT, MARCH 20, 2:00 p.m.
(children should be done by 3:15)
at St. Paul's Lutheran Church
BACH FESTIVAL SERVICE -
SUN, MARCH 21, 4:00 p.m.
(service should be done by 5:15)
at St. Paul's Lutheran Church
The program will mark the 325th anniversary of J.S. Bach, one of the most revered composers of all time, and one of the most influential in church music (he has been called "the fifth evangelist," e.g. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, JSB).
The children are doing well with all the music, especially "Wir eilen mit schwachen." To listen to this one, I recommend the following site:
Sunday, February 7th the Youth Group will join forces with our Fellowship & Outreach committee to partake in the 2010 “Souper Bowl of Caring”.
The Souper Bowl of Caring is a nationwide fundraising effort taken on by churches and schools alike. It was started in 1990. On Super Bowl Sunday, the youth collect funds in soup pots to raise money for an organization of their choice that has to do with hunger. Throughout the US, youth have raised millions of dollars each year. In 2009, 10 million dollars was raised in funds and donated food.
This year the youth have chosen Covenant House, an organization that helps homeless youth, to receive the funds collected.
In addition to what the Youth collect during the service, the Fellowship & Outreach committee will be sponsoring a soup lunch immediately following worship. A $3 per person donation is requested and will go directly to Covenant House. Please plan to join us!
2010 HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SERVICES
