St. Stephen's Live Streams a Hymn Sing

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church will stream an interactive hymn sing on Pentecost Sunday, May 31, at 4 p.m. In the words of the Rev. Whitney Altopp, rector of St. Stephen’s, “We can’t sing together in the church, but we can sing together wherever we are.” To participate, go to www.ststephensridgefield.org to be directed to the live streaming link. Words to the hymns will be scrolled on the screen.

To honor members of the class of 2020, Alcee Chriss, the church’s minister of music, will open the concert with an organ voluntary, Edward Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstances March No. 1, a mainstay of commencement ceremonies. In addition to Dr. Chriss, the hymn sing will feature the St. Stephen’s Virtual Choir, St. Stephen’s Choristers, and Rev. Altopp. The Virtual Choir and small ensembles will sing familiar hymns and anthems, and the young Choristers will sing the lively spiritual “This Little Light of Mine.” The closing piece will be an organ voluntary by Marcel Dupre, “Resurrection” from Symphonie Passion.

In keeping with Pentecost, the music will celebrate the Holy Spirit. Dr. Chriss noted that in the Gospel of John, Jesus says, "It is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life."