For the last Sunday before Lent, Stephen Bither led a jazz group for music during the 10 o'clock service.

Mardi Gras in the Cape

A week after the Super Bowl and a few days before the beginning of Lent, our church celebrated its Sunday service with a wide range of New Orleans-style jazz to complement our worship. Members of the congregation may have entered the sanctuary in a quiet frame of mind, but by the time they left, the strains of “When the Saints Go Marching In” was evident in their smiles and in the liveliness of their steps.

Stephen Bither once again organized Jazz Sunday, bringing together some of his musical playing partners to grace our spirits and worship. And to make it even more memorable, Faith York had the choir singing along in what was an uplifting experience for all.

Stephen’s group included John Battis on clarinet, Roger Snow on trombone, Jake Wilson on drums, Pete Dumphey on banjo and our own Tom Wilbur on sousaphone.

The pre-Lent celebration concluded with a pancake brunch in the Narthex, thanks to the planning and organization of Brenda Simpson, and her helpers, Joanne Scontras, Mary Anne Champeon, Katie Connelly, Chris DeSantis, Joan Enman and Ruth and Dana Dufresne.

A pancake brunch in the Narthex followed the Jazz Sunday service.

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During the jazz group's final number, members of the congregation were on their feet and clapping their hands.

The group included Pete Dumphey on banjo, John Battis on clarinet and Roger Snow on trombone.

Stephen Bither on piano receives some assistance from Faith York with a micophone, during a Valentine's Day tribute of the Beatles' "All You Need is Love."

Faith York and the choir complement the jazz group's music.

John Battis and Pete Dumphey get together at the conclusion of "When the Saints Go Marching In."

Katie Connelly and Mary Anne Champeon prepare pancakes for the brunch after the 10 o'clock service.

Dana was one of the very busy servers of pancakes.

One-year-old Madison Keezer had help from her dad with the pancakes on her plate.