 Sunday, April 27 was another Preschool Sunday at OPC. These occur monthly during the Orange Presbyterian Weekday School year. This past Sunday was extraordinary. 95 people packed the sanctuary, a nice blend of congregants and OPWS families. The sheer number of people attending raised the energy level of the service. Then the children shared one of their favorite preschool songs: "Shout Hosanna!" The kids were jumping and shouting, and very soon many in the congregation were, too! After the service, we hosted a reception for our preschool students and families. And as you can see in the photos below, everyone had a good time.
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 At OPC we have an Easter tradition -- Flowering the Cross. It begins with a cross made of gnarled logs, covered in chicken wire. This cross comes out of storage for the Maundy Thursday service and remains in the sanctuary for Easter Sunday. It's a reminder of Christ's ugly and brutal death. Easter Sunday congregants bring fresh-cut flowers from their gardens. (We also have a supply for those who can't bring their own.)  During the final hymn, everyone comes forward and positions their flowers into the chicken wire. If you're sitting in the pew, you'll just see a mob of people descend upon the cross. But when they all return to their seats, you can see something special has happened. The cross is now a colorful display of flowers -- a symbol of Christ's resurrection and triumph over death. The ugly has been transformed into something beautiful.   Easter Sunday is always a time of joy. For Easter 2025, we'll be joined in worship with a brass sextet, which should heighten that emotion.
The tradition of brass instruments playing during congregational hymns dates back to the Renaissance. Churches who could afford the musicians ensured brass ensembles were on hand for major holidays. This year you'll have an opportunity to experience that tradition as the sextet plays along with "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" and "Crown Him with Many Crowns." There is also some truly special music in store. You'll hear the celebratory anthem "Gioioso!" for brass and organ. The original work by Charles Torian was commissioned for the inaugural concert of our new organ last year. It's an exciting work brimming with joy. The sextet will also play selections from "Christ Triumphant" for brass sextet, and "Lift High the Cross." And because Easter is a time of joy, Handel's "Hallelujah!" chorus will be performed as well. The service starts at 10:00 am, Apr. 20, 2025, but if you want to hear all the music, be sure to arrive by 9:45 am. |
