Cantata - 24 Hours That Changed the World! April 17, 2011 9:20AM & 4:00PM

            This Sunday, the Chancel Choir of Bel Air UMC, will be offering a very special cantata.  Rather than purchasing a cantata or performing a major work, we have put together our own offering of a cappella anthems in various styles.  The anthems follow the sequence of the events of Holy Week from the time of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, until his burial in the tomb.  Scripture readings will introduce the anthems.

            We have done many types of cantatas in the Spring - some very quiet and meditative, some ending with a glorious, foot stomping Easter proclamation.  While this Sunday's "sermon in song" will not include hand-clapping, foot-stomping music, we believe it is very powerful, certainly as powerful as any cantata we have ever done.

            We can look at the empty tomb on Easter with joy at the power of the resurrection, yet the image of Jesus on the cross is no less powerful.  For in that image is wrapped up God's love and forgiveness for us, the sacrifice of Jesus, and the freedom from sin in this life and the next.  All this is what we will be singing about. 

            Our prayer is that the words of scripture read, then sung with voices alone will feed your soul with a profound sense of what the Lord has done for you.

            We invite you to join us at the 9:20 AM worship service and we hope you will come back at 4:00 PM for the public concert, and bring a friend.

Your Servant in Christ,
Rev. Doug Hollida,
Director of Worship & Arts