Music During the Season of Lent

Last month, I shared a few thoughts on liturgical music during the season of Lent, and this month I’d like to continue that train of thought and transition from Palm Sunday through the high feast of Easter. I also spoke about the importance of the linear journey of Lent to Palm Sunday and Holy Week to the celebration of the resurrection, our destination, if you will.
As the Lenten season draws to a close, you will notice an emphasis on overtly penitential hymns as well as hymns with the cross as focal point. This is intentional and meant to heighten our awareness of the impending events of Holy Week. The last several years we have expanded our Maundy Thursday service, which is a commemoration of the last supper and concludes with the ceremonial stripping of the altar. This is symbolic of the abandonment of Jesus by his disciples as well as the soldiers stripping of Jesus before his crucifixion. The liturgy of Good Friday includes a homily and appropriate scriptures, highlighted by the full passion narrative from John’s Gospel, which is dramatized by members of the laity. Holy communion is administered, although with consecrated elements from Maundy Thursday. These two services are not joyful, and may even evoke feelings of guilt and shame, but are crucial to our journey to Easter which began with Palm Sunday.
The Village Chapel Music Series
Our Chapel Music series concludes its tenth season with a celebratory concert on Friday, May 9 at 7:00 PM featuring musicians who have played a role in the musical life of The Village Chapel over the past ten years (and even beyond). The Village Chapel Music Series has host-ed dozens of concerts each season since 2014 and has been generously supported by church leadership, congregation members, and visitors. This is our opportunity to come together and celebrate these talented musicians and to give thanks to our generous audience. Performers will include The Village Chapel Choir, Moore Brass, Barron Maness (vocalist), Ed Martel (pianist), Kelly Shea (flutist), Paul Kirkpatrick (cellist), and Homer and Amanda Ferguson. The concert will also include the premiere of a new composition by the Reverend Dr. Paul Murphy. Dr. Murphy is Pastor of Trinity AME Zion Church in Southern Pines, and a good friend to our Chapel and community.
This concert, like nearly all concerts here, is free of charge to the public, a gift we are honored to present to the community. Contributions are accepted to assist with concert costs.
Stephen
From the Director of Music