May 2026
May 3rd
The service on Sunday, May 3rd will be led by the Youth Group. Kaitlyn Dissek and Luca DiPietro will offer special solos as the Prelude and Offertory. Paul Zanolli will play and sing “Upside Down” by Jack Johnson, a nostalgic tune requested by the youth, as the Postlude. Additionally, the Soloists and Ian will lead youth-chosen hymns. This Sunday will also, sadly, be pianist Ian Liedke’s last day as our Interim Collaborative Pianist. We wish Ian all the best on his future adventures!
May 10th
Sunday, May 10th, is Mother’s Day. As the Prelude, Helen Lowry will perform “Songs My Mother Taught Me” by Antonín Dvořák, accompanied by guest pianist Cameron Tragessor. At the Offertory, Taryn Goehrig will share “Children will listen” from Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim. As the Reflection, Helen will sing “She used to be mine” from Waitress by Sara Bareilles. Finally, Shaun Doyle will present his rendition of a joyful Neapolitan song made popular by Luciano Pavarotti called, simply, “Mamma.”
May 17th
Friday, May 15th, and Sunday, May 17th, are the dates of this year’s Spring Music Weekend, in collaboration with the Avanti chorus and orchestra. Our shared spring program features three substantial choral works by great composers of different eras - the Magnificat by Francesco Durante, Te Deum by Joseph Haydn, and Geistliches Lied by Johannes Brahms. On Friday, May 15th, at 7:30pm, these works will be presented at St. Benedict’s Church alongside the Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquín Rodrigo, featuring guest guitarist Ricardo Saeb. On Sunday, May 17th, at 10:30am, the choral works will be presented in a more traditional Music Sunday context in our sanctuary, alongside spiritual reflections.
May 24th
On Sunday, May 24th, Rev. Bethany will preach about Transcendentalism. Guest pianist Michael Serio will offer a contemplative piano Prelude and Postlude. At the Offertory, Michael Harris will sing an original song with text by Henry David Thoreau. As the Reflection, Shaun will share “There Are Giants in the Sky” from Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim.
May 31st
Sunday, May 31st, is Religious Education (RE) Sunday. A guest pianist will offer a buoyant Prelude. At the Offertory, Taryn and Helen will lead the children in a call-and-response rendition of “Impossible” from Cinderella by Rodgers and Hammerstein. Shaun will share “There’s A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” from Disney’s Carousel of Progress as the Reflection. Finally, Taryn will lead the children in “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana as the Postlude.
