St Francis Singers put the final touches to presentation for Sunday

The St Francis Singers will tonight put the final touches to their presentation, “Words and music on the Crucifixion of Christ” on Sunday 22 March at 17h00 (5.00 pm).

With music from John Stainer’s “The Crucifixion”, the programme promises to be an inspiring way to prepare for Holy Week, which begins with next week’s Palm Sunday. It has been compiled by Music Director Ruth Coggin and Lay Minister Sue Jordaan.

There will also be plenty of opportunity to sing some of the well-loved hymns of Easter-time, including “There is a green hill far away”, and “When our survey the wondrous cross”.

The programme begins with a reflection on Lent. This is followed by Palm Sunday and Holy Week, with the events of Good Friday interpreted by some of Stainer’s most dramatic and moving music. One of these is the very moving setting of John 3:16, “God so loved the world”.

Soloists for the programme are Theo Coggin (bass), Martin Pryor (tenor), Mol Angoma (tenor) and Mike Montgomery (bass).

The organist will be Owen Franklin, while Ruth Coggin will direct. Canon Cynthia Botha will do the prayers.

The music is interspersed with prose and poetry carefully and creatively chosen by Sue Jordaan, and read by her and Jonathan Stead. They include Joyce Rupp’s “Prayer of one who feels lost”:

“Dear God,

why do I keep fighting you off?

One part of me wants you desperately,

another part of me unknowingly

pushes you back and runs away……

Like Jesus who struggled with the pain

I, too, fight the “let it all be done.”

Loneliness, lostness, non-belonging,

all these hurts strike out at me,

leaving me pained with this present goodbye……

Now is the time. You call to me,

begging me to let you have my life,

inviting me to taste the darkness

so I can be filled with the light,

allowing me to lose my direction

so that I will find my way home to you.”

Refreshments will be served afterwards. There is no entrance fee, but a collection will be taken in the final hymn.