Resurrection’s CAFE ABLAZE To Host Third Anniversary Gala Concert Event

Lutheran Church of the Resurrection’s Christian Coffeehouse, CAFÉ ABLAZE, will mark its third anniversary with a gala the evening of Saturday, December 3, 2011. Onstage will be ballad and pop duo, Rivera & Kablack, followed by folk and rock singer, Tiffany Smitelli. Pastor Jeff Browning, as always, will be the emcee. All are invited to savor what will be percolating over the three hours after doors open at 7:00 p.m.

Rivera & Kablack’s musical collaboration has been forged in friendship and faith. Difficult times in each of these married men’s lives brought them together and they have been writing and performing Christian music ever since. Both have impressive musical credentials and have worked professionally with high–profile entertainers. John Barry Kablack, who sings with a powerful voice and plays drums as well as other percussion instruments, has worked at MTV.  William Rivera has produced, written, sang, and played acoustic and electric guitar with many well-known music artists. He received a gold record for two songs he contributed to one entertainer's award-winning album. Together, Rivera & Kablack currently have the distinction of having three songs on the playlists of five Christian radio stations around the country. These songs are “You’ll Never Leave”, “Walk in the Son”, and “Hear My Prayer”. They have produced three CDs. The first, produced when they were calling themselves The Project, is titled Life’s Journey. The second, under their present name, is titled For Sale. On a third CD, The Travelin' Revival Band, William Rivera has reinvented the old-fashioned revival song. They also have a professional website at riveraandkablack.com.

Tiffany Smitelli sang at CAFÉ ABLAZE last year in March. She has since been a guest singer at Samantha’s Li’l Bit of Heaven in East Northport. She has also accompanied Resurrection’s Saturday Worship Band and continues to be a part of her church’s rock music ministry in Plainview. She once opened for rock band, New Kids On The Block. She also sang the National Anthem at Shea Stadium immediately following 9/11.

Resurrection’s CAFÉ ABLAZE Christian coffeehouse began in 2008. The café gets its name from Resurrection’s Ablaze movement, whose mission is Christian outreach. Once in Spring and twice in Autumn on designated Saturdays, a lighted neon CAFE ABLAZE sign outside of the entrance to Resurrection’s auditorium/gym signals the metamorphosis taking place within. An atmosphere of Christian fellowship permeates each day’s event from 2 p.m. setup to post-10 p.m. cleanup. Over thirty volunteers and numerous others, including bakers and buyers of donated desserts, contribute their varied talents.

Once doors open that evening, singles, couples, and groups of friends relax at beautifully decorated candle-lit tables in a friendly, casual atmosphere. Aside from specialty coffees and teas, guests choose from a generous selection of delectable desserts, including a healthy fruit salad. When lights dim, the audience is treated to contemporary Christian music by professional-quality musicians.

Intermission at Resurrection’s coffeehouse offers still more to enjoy with ice cream and door prize drawings for which every ticket holder is eligible. Reservations are suggested and can be made through Lori at cafeablaze@resgc.org or 516-739-1537. Tickets are $10 each, or "twofer" $15, and are sold at the door. CAFÉ ABLAZE is free for children age 12 and under if accompanied by an adult. A separate “freewill” offering is collected for the talent.

Resurrection Lutheran Church is located at 420 Stewart Avenue in Garden City. Enter on the Emmet Place side of the church. Parking is available on side streets bordering the church or in the semi-circular parking area by the Fire House at the end of Emmet Place.

Resurrection is a multi-site Christian community of faith with our main campus located at 420 Stewart Ave., near Clinton Rd., in Garden City. All are invited to worship at 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays and at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday mornings, with Christian Education at 9:45 a.m. Our second campus, THE LIFE Church, is located at 1 Old Westbury Rd., on Jericho Tpke., in Old Westbury. All are welcome Thursdays at THE LIFE, beginning with a free Family Style Dinner at 6 p.m., followed by Worship and Holy Communion at 7 p.m. For more information, call 516-746-4426 or visit resgc.org or thelifeny.org. For more information about Resurrection’s Mommy and Me program, please also call the phone number provided.