Lenten Concert: "Lighten Our Darkness: An Afternoon of Musical Reflection"

"Lighten Our Darkness" is a concert of music for choir, soloists, instrumentalists, and congregation. The focus of the concert comes from a hymn by The Right Reverend Timothy Dudley Smith. It speaks of Christian hope even in the darkest of times.

Featured on the program will be Requiem by French composer Gabriel Fauré. Like the Dudley Smith hymn, this requiem is unique in that its focus is not the full Mass for the Dead, but the peace and promise we have in Jesus Christ. Fauré himself said, “I have … sought to escape from what is thought [liturgically] right and proper… I wanted to write something different.”

In addition to Requiem there will be solo and choral music as well as congregational singing. Under the direction of Dr. M. Jane Holstein, director of music ministries, the First Pres choir will be joined by renowned Chicagoland soprano Elizabeth Harrison and baritone David John Hailey, the pastor of First Baptist Church, Oak Park. Also participating will be a chamber orchestra and organists Josh Ring and Paul Detterman.

As Christians begin the season of Lent, it is our hope that the music and texts included in this performance will offer hope and assurance, and will lighten our darkness with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

This First Pres Lenten concert, "Lighten Our Darkness: An Afternoon of Musical Reflection," is free to attend. A freewill offering will be taken which will be divided equally between concert expenses and support for the resettlement of refugee families in the area. First Pres River Forest is wheelchair and hearing accessible.

Host or Publisher First Presbyterian Church of River Forest