Weekly News from Zion and our Ministries Under the Cross: Evergreen Academy & Nina's Place

January 29, 2025

A "Once in a Generation" Musical Opportunity at Zion

Dear Zion Family,

Almost 20 years ago, I sang a major vocal work as part of my senior recital to graduate from Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, NC, with a degree in church music. This major work is one of the church cantatas written by famous composer J.S. Bach for a festival of the church called the Presentation of Our Lord. Church cantatas were sung as part of the Sunday morning worship service in Bach's day and time. Bach wrote this particular cantata, Ich Habe Genug, for a solo bass singer, a string quartet, an oboist, and continuo as a reflection on the story of Simeon in Luke 2. When I last sang this work for the recital, I was joined by a chamber group. Since then, I have always wanted to sing part or all of this work again, but the opportunity and the players were not available.

This year, I'm proud and a little bit nervous to say that the festival of the Presentation of Our Lord is on a Sunday (not typical) and Cantor Pete Rizzo is ready, willing, and able to be a "one-man band" and accompany me to sing this major work this Sunday, February 2, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in the context of our morning worship service. It will be a tour de force and a reflection of God's talent shining through both of us. I would be honored if you would join us to be a part of this special liturgy. I can promise this truly is a "once in a generation" event.

Praising God with Music,

Cantor Kurt R. Schmidt

🌟 Highlights from the 30 Days of Joy🌟

In order to vote on necessary actions related to the lawsuit, the Congregation Council has called a Special Meeting to be held on Sunday, February 9, 2025 immediately following worship. Voting members, you are needed to conduct the business of the church. If you cannot attend in person, please reach out to Robin ahead of the meeting for Zoom access information.

This Sunday at 11:00 a.m.

Presentation of Our Lord

The Presentation of Our Lord is referred to in some corners of the church as Candlemas because of an ancient tradition of blessing all the candles to be used in the church in the coming year at the mass celebrated on that day. It was a way of underscoring the truth of Simeon’s confession that this baby Jesus was “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” and a light for glory to Israel. Let the light of every candle in church be a little epiphany of the love of God for all people in the person of God’s son, Jesus, the light of the world.

Sunday's bulletin can be found here.

Cantor Kurt R. Schmidt

954-421-3146, option 2 (Church)

954-913-2125 (Cell)

kschmidt@zion-lutheran.org

Zion is a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) community, and extends God's radical welcome to all people, because we're all created in God's image.