The Good Friday Blues Band is back in rehearsals preparing for this year’s Good Friday Blues Services, which will be held at the House of James.
The theme – Storm Comin’ – is also the title of the opening song and sets the tone for the rest of the service.
“The song by the Wailin’ Jennys talks about the fact that a storm is coming and there’s nothing you can do about it, so you simply need to embrace what’s ahead,” explained Angelika Dawson, one of the organizers.
“I imagine that this is exactly how Jesus felt as he approached the events we celebrate on Good Friday. He knew what was coming and went into that storm willingly.”
Last year’s service was so popular that they had to turn more than 60 people away at the door. That’s why there are two services this year, on Maundy Thursday (March 28) and Good Friday (March 29), both starting at 7:30 p.m.
To keep track of how many are coming, $5 tickets are being sold at House of James with all the proceeds benefiting Cyrus Centre, a local ministry that works with street entrenched youth. None of the band members are paid for their participation.
“This is something we are doing out of our love for God, our love for the community and our love for the blues,” Dawson says. “We are so grateful to Lando (Klassen) and his commitment to making his space available for events like this and we’re really happy that we can support Cyrus Centre this year.”
Klassen, the owner of the House of James, is a big blues fan and was also encouraged by last year’s turn out. He hopes that many more will come to one of the services this year.
The service will follow a similar structure to last year’s including the opportunity to nail your ‘blues’ onto a cross and to receive prayer. There will be readings and prayers and a sermon delivered by actor John Dawson. New this year will be a spoken word piece presented by poet Olivia Sharpe. A blog will begin again on Ash Wednesday and will highlight one of the songs each week during the Lenten Season –www.goodfridayblues.wordpress.com
The Good Friday Blues band has some new faces this year: bassist Dave Dueckman (Oh Village) and keyboard/vocalist La Vern Klassen (the Hoodlums). They will join lead vocalist and guitar player Aaron Dawson (Minnesota Nice), drummer Steve Dahl (Oh Village), guitar and vocalist Daniel Wagner (Minnesota Nice) Byron Wiebe on harmonica and Angelika Dawson on vocals (both from White Moses and the Fury.)
The Good Friday Blues Services will be held March 28 and 29 at 7:30 p.m. at House of James, 2743 Emerson St. Abbotsford. For more information about the services visit :www.goodfridayblues.wordpress.com or www.houseofjames.com.
