Beth Austin’s solo during “Stand By Me.”

Mardi Gras on the Cape

On this final Sunday before Lent, our church once again held a worship service filled with New Orleans-style jazz and spirited hymn singing, bringing the congregation to its feet with arm-waving and enthusiastic applause.

It was not your typical Sunday service — it was Jazz Sunday!

The service was led by special arrangements from Faith York and the choir and Stephen Bither and his talented collection of musicians, including Paul Aranson on drums, Tom Wilbur on sousaphone, Eric Anderson on trombone, Barry Daniels on clarinet, Peter Dunphy on banjo, Stephen Bither on piano and both Gail Parker and Tyler Rodenberger on the organ.

The service included a wide range of hymns adapted by Faith and Stephen, including “O Wondrous Sight! O Vision Fair,” “Stand by Me,” “This Little Heart of Mine,” “Amazing Grace,” and of course, “When the Saints Go Marching in.”

One of the highlights from the choir was Beth Austin’s solo during the singing of “Stand By Me,” a toe-tapping, hand-clapping rendition that stirred hearts and souls on a Sunday morning on which the sanctuary’s energy soared to the heavens.

The spirit continued to flow after the service when everyone gathered for a pancake breakfast in Fellowship Hall, prepared by Clint Lawrence, Patrick Crowley, and Colin and Anita Davidson.

Thank you to all who made this year’s Jazz Sunday another one to remember!

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