“Land of Hope and Dreams” will bring together the music of Springsteen with prayers for hope, peace, justice and healing at Stamford church
STAMFORD, Conn. — The songs of Bruce Springsteen will fill St. Francis Episcopal Church in North Stamford on Saturday, October 10, as the church hosts “Land of Hope and Dreams,” a special Saturday Evening Prayer service beginning at 5 p.m.
The free and inclusive service will weave together prayer, reflection and live music drawn from Springsteen’s catalog, exploring common themes that have run through his songwriting for more than five decades: hope in the midst of struggle, compassion for those on the margins, the prophetic longing for justice, and the defiant hope that a better world is possible.
One of Connecticut’s newest churches, St. Francis is nestled in the woods of North Stamford, just a few minutes from the New Your state line. The 25-year-old church was designed with extraordinary acoustics for all kinds of live musical performances.
Named for Springsteen’s song “Land of Hope and Dreams,” the service will offer an alternative liturgy in which the rock legend’s songs become part of a larger conversation about faith, community and the human longing for hope. Members of the St. Francis Choir will perform versions of several Springsteen songs, including “The Rising,” “When God Made You,” “My Father’s House” and “My City of Ruins,” among others.
“Springsteen’s music has always been filled with people searching for something — for home, for connection, for redemption, for a reason to keep going,” said the Rev. Joseph J. Rose, rector of St. Francis. “Those are deeply spiritual themes, especially in these times. This service is an opportunity to bring that music into a sacred space and listen for the hope and grace running through it.”
The evening is part of St. Francis’ ongoing effort to create welcoming and imaginative opportunities for people to encounter the sacred, including those who may not regularly attend church.
“One of the most joyful parts of being a priest is pointing people to God’s love and mercy in places where they normally wouldn’t look,” said Rose, who is also the author of the Vinyl Theology Substack. “You don’t need to be Episcopalian, you don’t need to be a regular churchgoer, and you definitely don’t need to know when to sit or stand.
“Whether you’ve followed Springsteen for 50 years, know only a few songs, or are simply looking for a meaningful way to begin your Saturday evening, there is a place for you here.”
The service is free and everyone is welcome. A freewill offering will be received to support the church’s music program.
St. Francis Episcopal Church is a welcoming, loving and affirming Christian community in North Stamford committed to embodying God’s love by building community through worship, inclusivity and outreach.