During the five weeks of Lent and into Holy Week there are several special events and services planned at First Presbyterian Church of Verona, located at 10 Fairview Avenue:
- Wednesday, February 10: Ash Wednesday. The church’s chapel will be open from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. for prayer and quiet meditation. The Rev. Deborah Oosterbaan will be distributing ashes to those who wish to be anointed. The chapel may be accessed through the sanctuary or by the side door (off of the church driveway.
- Sunday, February 14: First Sunday in Lent and Valentine’s Day. The service will open with the introit “Into the Woods My Master Went” sung by the Senior Choir. Flutist Liz Hathaway will perform solos and accompany the senior choir on the anthem “In Heavenly Love Abiding”. Beth Shorten will preside over the pulpit with the sermon “Giving Up; Giving Of”. There will be teen discussion group meeting for all high school and college students, Following the service there will be an Lenten Bible study, “Crucified with Christ: A Lenten Look Into the Life & Ministry of Jesus Christ”” for anyone who is interested. This Bible Study will continue every Sunday (with the exception of February 21) for an hour after service until Palm Sunday.
- Sunday, February 21: Second Sunday in Lent features special guest artist Nancy Lederer on the violin. There will be two special musical pieces sung by the Senior Choir and accompanies by Nancy Lederer on the violin, “Listen to Your Heart” and “Great is Thy Faithfulness”. The Rev. Deborah Oosterbaan will be preaching. Following the service will be the annual congregational meeting and luncheon
- Sunday, February 28: Third Sunday in Lent will find the young adults/teen group under the guidance of Liz Hathaway and Alex Karpinski leading the worship service. The Senior Choir will sing the anthem “Mercy” by Craig Courtney.
- Sunday March 6: Fourth Sunday in Lent. Guest flutists Becky Vega and Liz Hathaway will perform duets. The flutists will also be accompanying the youth choirs Joyful Noise and Sacred Singers on “Everywhere I Go”” by Natalie Sleeth. The Senior choir will perform “You Are Mine” accompanied by Becky Vega. The Rev. Bruce Comiskey will be preaching.
- Sunday, March 13: Fifth Sunday in Lent. The Rev. Dr. Julia Dawson will be preaching. The James Caldwell High School Madrigals under the direction of Elsie Timpson will perform throughout the worship service and will present a short concert immediately following the service.
- Sunday, March 20: Palm/Passion Sunday. The Service will be led by Rev. Edward Clydesdale. The Glory Guitar Ensemble and guest musicians, Al Weber (double bass) and Liz Hathaway (flute) will accompany the youth choirs Joyful Noise and Sacred Singers on “Sing Hosanna!” and “Little Gray Donkey”. The senior choir will perform “Hosanna” and “Eternal Life”.
- Thursday, March 24: Maundy Thursday. At 6 p.m. there will be a light soup supper before the solemn service of handwashing and communion lead by the Rev. Dr. Julia Dawson and Rev. Deborah Oosterbaan. The service will also feature music by the Senior Choir and tenor soloist Eric Burgos.
- Friday, March 25h: On Good Friday, the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Children’s Good Friday workshop will feature music, games, crafts and God Time. Cost is $10 and will include lunch. Reservations need to be made by March 20. At noon there will be a prayer service for adults in the sanctuary.
- Sunday, March 27: Easter. The service will feature guest musicians Joe Soriano (trumpet) and John Piepoli (timpani) on “Christ Is Risen!” They will be joined by the Glory Guitar Ensemble and the youth choirs Joyful Noise and Sacred Singers performing “Rejoice, It’s Easter Day!”, “All in an Easter Garden” and “Every Morning Is Easter Morning”. The Senior Choir will perform “Jesus Lives, Alleluia!” and conclude with the “Hallelujah Chorus”.
