Friday April 2, 2010

Each year, on the day called Good Friday, we gather together to commemorate the death of our Savior Jesus Christ, to retell one to another the story of His love for us, just as the old hymn puts it: “Tell me the old, old story of Jesus and His love.” This story, though it is 2,000 years old, is always fresh and agreeable to hear. Because of our propensity to “forget so soon,” we need to be reminded of that love story that reached its climax on Mount Golgotha.

This year we have brought some changes, not to the story itself, but to the way it is recounted. Instead of having the events surrounding the sufferings and death of our Savior read by narrators only, we will have the choir perform the portion of John W. Peterson’s cantata “No Greater Love” that gives an account of the events that have unfolded since the prediction by Jesus of his betrayal in the Upper Room until his crucifixion at Calvary.

In Peterson’s cantata “No Greater Love” the story is carried through arias and choruses interwoven with narrations. This mixture of songs and narrations hinges on the following:

      I.     Torrent d’Amour (the theme of the whole cantata)

      II.    Jésus annonce qu’il sera trahi (Jesus predicts his betrayal)

      III.   Son agonie en Gethsémané (his agony in Gethsemane)

      IV.   Son Arrestation (he’s being taken into custody)

      V.    Sa comparution devant Pilate (his appearance before Pilate)

      VI.   Sa crucifixion (his being sentenced to be crucified)

      VII.  A l’ombre de la croix (at the shadow of the cross)            

Right after that, Rev. Hector Clerveaux will preach a sermon focusing on the meaning of Jesus’ sufferings and death. And, as always, we will conclude the service with the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

We extend a warm invitation to all. The service starts at 7:30 PM.