Cantata presented at California St. Paul's Lutheran Church

The Cantata Choir at California St. Paul's Lutheran Church performs in costume on Saturday, April 14, 2017, the day before Easter.
The Cantata Choir at California St. Paul's Lutheran Church performs in costume on Saturday, April 14, 2017, the day before Easter.

An Easter cantata filled the pews Saturday, April 14, the night before Easter, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, California.

The choir cantata, "Who Do You Say That I Am?" was presented as a part of a church service. The cantata was preceded by a sermon message titled "Bloody Palms," referring to the bloody palm fronds scattered around at the crucifixion.

With a title based on a question asked one day by Jesus, the choir dressed in costumes similar to what would have been worn by those followers of, and skeptics of, Jesus during his time as a man on earth.

The answers given by his supporters were that he was the Messiah, a gifted teacher and a miracle worker. The skeptics looked at Him as a deceiver and charlatan. For the faithful at the crucifixion, Jesus was a "Man of Sorrows" and the "Sacrificial Lamb" of God.

Then, there were those who saw Jesus after the resurrection, who looked at him as the "Lord of Life" and the "Son of the Living God."

The cantata choir performed "God With Us," "Lord of the Wind and the Sea," "You Are the Christ, the Son of God," "He Is the King of Glory!" "Man of Sorrows," and finished with "Truly, This Was God's Son."

In between each cantata presentation, there was monologue given by one of the prominent characters, such as the Apostle John, the Apostle Peter, Mary of Bethany, Pontius Pilate (who spoke of washing his hands of the blood of an innocent man), and Joseph of Arimathea (who spoke of his asking for the body to be buried in his tomb).

The cantata and service closed with those present singing "Jesus, Remember Me."