Nineteenth Century Notions of Piety in the Music of Palestrina, Bach, Liszt and Wagner
Sunday, February 28
We often associate the nineteenth century with predominant works of secularism and natural science, yet many artists and composers steeped in Romantic ideology sought after religious piety and mystery. In preparation for a choral and organ concert on March 1 in the Covenant sanctuary, this presentation by Jonathan Moyer will explore the content and historical context of three momentous works: Stabit Mater by Giovanni da Palestrina, Via Crucis and Variations on “Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen” by Franz List.
Jonathan W. Moyer, Organist and Director of Music, Church of the Covenant
Perspectives on the Passion of Jesus
Sundays, March 7, 14, 21 and 28
Each biblical gospel reaches its climactic moment in the narration about Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. While the basic narrative is shared among all four gospels, each evangelist offers readers a unique appreciation of the passion of Jesus. In this adult forum, Dr. George Matejka will explore the various perspectives on the passion found in the four gospels.
Sunday, March 7 The Old Testament Perspective The evangelists saw foreshadowings and prophesies of the passion in several texts in the Hebrew Bible. Today’s session will study these texts, which the evangelists wove into their passion narratives. From this perspective, the passion of Jesus is interpreted as fulfillment of prophecy.
Sunday, March 14 Mark and the Development of the Synoptic Passion Narrative Most New Testament scholars suggest that Mark’s gospel is the first to be written. As such, the author of Mark is the originating composer of the passion story as it is found in the three synoptic gospels. We will highlight Mark’s contribution to the composition of the passion narrative and discuss Mark’s theological perspective on it.
Sunday, March 21 The Passion as the Gospel: Luke and Matthew Luke incorporates aspects of the passion in several stories that take place during Jesus’ public ministry. Matthew uses the story of Jesus’ passion as a model text for his composition of his infancy narrative. Both Luke and Matthew see aspects of the passion reverberating throughout their gospels.
Sunday, March 28 John’s Passion Narrative: The Book of Glory In keeping with his unique perspective on Jesus’ origins and ministry, John’s gospel presents the passion of Jesus with a perspective unlike that of the three synoptic gospels. As we read through John’s version of Jesus’ passion and death, we detect images of Jesus as priest, prophet and king. From John’s perspective, the cross is a throne of glory, not of suffering and death.
George S. Matejka, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair, Philosophy Department, Ursuline College
Rediscover the Act of Pilgrimage by Walking and Praying the Labyrinth
Weekdays, February 22 – March 22, 9 AM – 5 PM
The tradition of pilgrimage is as old as religion itself. When travel became dangerous for Christians to make a pilgrimage to the Holy City of Jerusalem, the Roman church appointed several pilgrimage cathedrals to become “Jerusalem” for pilgrims. Labyrinths were laid in the cathedral floors. In the tradition of pilgrimage, the path of the labyrinth is called the “Chemin de Jerusalem” – the road to Jerusalem – and the labyrinth is called the New Jerusalem.
A labyrinth will be laid on the floor of our sanctuary’s Williamson Chancel for us to walk and pray during weekdays in Lent. It is a spiritual tool to help us meditate on God and reflect on what is happening in our lives, to focus on a question we might have about God or want to direct to God, to recall scripture, or simply to quiet ourselves. There are no dead ends to a labyrinth. All paths lead to the center and back out again.
On Sunday, February 21, 12:30 PM, Maria Loehr, Ph.D., River’s Edge Retreat Center, will give a presentation on the history of the labyrinth and its use as a symbol of spiritual journey, as well as suggestions for walking and praying the labyrinth. Attendance at Dr. Loehr’s presentation is not a requirement for using the labyrinth. Access to the labyrinth may be had at times other than those scheduled upon request. For further information contact the Rev. Rosalind Powell, Spiritual Director, at powellrosalind00@sbcglobal.net or call the church office.