Resurrection’s CAFÉ ABLAZE Ends Blending Gospel Jazz with Praise

CAFÉ ABLAZE Christian Coffeehouse, hosted by Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, is brewing up its last concert on Saturday, March 30. All are invited to savor the diverse coffeehouse fare, live Christian music onstage, and warm fellowship to be served up one last time between 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Along with aromatic coffee percolating, the music ministry promises to renew and refresh. On tap will be a blend of Gospel jazz and contemporary Christian praise.

First to stir up the café will be returning “jazzed for Jesus” singer and multi-instrumentalist, Sam Powell. Having headlined at many Christian music venues on Long Island, this professional musician and Worship Leader at Centereach Bible Church will again offer café goers his spiritually-uplifting and Biblically-themed original Gospel jazz.

Following Sam Powell and offering a selection of contemporary Christian praise songs will be Resurrection Worship Band. Begun 16 years ago and appearing each Saturday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Resurrection’s Contemporary Service, this group currently features Ed Dettling and Deb Cavacchioli on piano, Alex Sabella on lead guitar, John McDonald on bass guitar, and Walter Woicyk on drums. Its vocalists include Deb Cavacchioli, Jenn Engheben, Ellen Farber, Miranda Juras, Debi Klaus, Karen Schoenfeld, and Tiffany Smitelli.

CAFÉ ABLAZE has welcomed singles, couples, families with children (age 12 and under free), and groups of friends on select Saturday evenings, twice a year or more, for over a decade. Seating has always been at candlelit tables facing the stage and the self-service offerings have included specialty coffees, teas, and scrumptious desserts. More recently, pizza has been sold separately before 7:00 p.m. show time. Intermission has come to include still more with prayer partnering, church tours, and chances at Christian raffle prizes.

Reservations are suggested for this last event before the Church Coffeehouse closes and may be e-mailed to cafeablaze@resgc.org. As always, tickets are sold at the door for $10 and a separate “freewill” offering is collected for the talent.

Lutheran Church of the Resurrection is located at 420 Stewart Avenue in Garden City. The entrance to CAFÉ ABLAZE has always been on the Emmet Place side of the church. Parking is on the streets around the church or in the semi-circular parking lot by the Fire House at the end of Emmet Place. A Christian community of faith, the church invites all to worship at 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays and at 8:30, 9:45 and 11 a.m. Sunday mornings, with Christian Education at 10 a.m. For more information, call 516.746.4426, or visit www.resgc.org .