During Women’s History Month, we continue celebrating the profound contributions of women in hymnody, art, and sacred music. This week, our worship is enriched by the artistry of Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman, composer Heather Sorenson, and hymnwriter Katharina von Schlegel—each offering expressions of faith that invite us to reflect, remember, and respond.
A Sanctified Art: Creativity as Worship
Throughout Lent, which began this past week on Ash Wednesday, much of our liturgy and artwork comes from A Sanctified Art, a female-founded, women-led creative team dedicated to making worship an imaginative, justice-driven, and deeply inclusive experience. Their work is grounded in the belief that all people carry the imprint of the Divine Artist, and their resources help congregations engage scripture with curiosity and creativity. Their core values emphasize:
The unique creativity of all people, reflecting the image of God.
The inherent goodness of every person, affirming the dignity of all.
The transformative call of the gospel, leading to justice and wholeness.
Worship that engages our whole being, drawing on mind, body, heart, and soul.
Learn more about their work at sanctifiedart.org.
Spotlight on Cover Art: First Fruits
This week’s bulletin cover features First Fruits, a digital painting by Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman, inspired by Deuteronomy 26:1-11.
This text urges the harvester to ground themselves in ancestral and divine identity. This requires a primal knowledge of the answers to the questions, “Who are you?” and “Whose are you?” When the harvester brings the first fruits to the dwelling place of God, they are asked to offer a response to God, in which the harvester recounts the Exodus narrative. This narrative defines the harvester and gives understanding, resonance, and purpose to their offering before God. Notice how the response is in first-person plural: “When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, by imposing hard labor on us, we cried to the Lord… and the Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. The Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with a terrifying display of power… and he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.” (Deut. 26:6-9, NRSV). I imagine this recitation roots the harvester in their identity as an Exodus person—a wandering alien, oppressed and afflicted, who was heard, seen, and rescued by God. Regardless of whether or not the harvester directly experienced the events of their pronouncement before God, this narrative is where their identity is found and it changes how they live. Echoes of this narrative live in the harvester. This narrative affirms the truth that the harvester was once an alien, and whatever they have been given and all that they are belong to God. Therefore, all of the bounty—the sumptuous, nurturing, first fruits of the ground—are to be shared with the aliens who reside among them. What would it look like for you to ground yourself in ancestral and divine identity? How would it change how you live? Who are you? Whose are you?
—Rev. Lauren Wright Pittman
Hymn Highlight: Be Still, My Soul
This Sunday, we sing Be Still, My Soul, a hymn written by Katharina Amalia Dorothea von Schlegel in the 18th century and later paired with the beloved tune Finlandia by Jean Sibelius. The hymn’s message of trust in God through seasons of trial has made it a timeless source of comfort. Schlegel’s poetry reminds us that even in life’s turbulence, God remains our steady guide.
Communion Music: Jesus, Lover of My Soul – Heather Sorenson
Heather Sorenson is a Dallas-based composer whose music captivates audiences worldwide. Her diverse catalog, spanning choral, piano, and orchestral compositions, showcases her mastery across genres. With performances at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, she stands as a testament to female excellence in music. Beyond her artistry, her commitment to music education, including her tenure at Baylor University, leaves an indelible mark on aspiring musicians.
Reflecting on Women’s Contributions to Worship
The voices and creativity of women have long shaped the music, art, and theology of the church—sometimes in ways history has overlooked. Yet, in every generation, women have continued to write, compose, and create works that invite deeper encounters with God.
As we continue through Women’s History Month, may these offerings remind us of the richness of the church’s creative tradition and encourage us to listen for the voices that inspire, challenge, and guide us toward a deeper faith.
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