The service this Sunday will begin to move us toward Holy Week, which begins next Sunday the 14th with Palm and Passion Sunday.  This week the gospel text is about the anointing of Jesus with oil by Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus.  We will reflect on how our love can respond to things that are passing away, whether stages of life, the lives of people we love or the expectation that life on earth will continue as it has been.  What can our love do to make a difference in such a world?  We will hear some inspiring stories in answer to that question.  We will read the assurance of joy to come in Psalm 126 as well as the story of Jesus’ anointing in John 12:1-8.

The choir will be singing three beautiful pieces this Sunday.  Please consider being part of our choir for one week or for the next three high holy services through Easter or for the rest of your life!  All you need to do is show up Sunday morning at 8:50 AM ready to sing with some wonderful neighbors directed by our wonderful Annemieke McLane.  Here is a photo of the choir at our William Sloane Coffin Sunday service on March 24th.

The choir will be singing two South African pieces, “Thuma Mina” and “Mayenziwe,” as well as “O Love,” by Elaine Hagenberg. (You can hear a YouTube recording of it below.)  Annemieke will be playing three beloved pieces by Handel, Haydn and Tchaikovsky.  The congregation will sing “There Is a Balm in Gilead” and “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go” as well as a hymn relating to the gospel text, “What Could Inspire a Sacrifice.”

This stunningly beautiful recording of the Anthem was performed at Lawrence University where Bill Coffin spent some semesters as a visiting professor.