Trinity Lutheran Church in Lehighton will host a Lenten cantata, "Here is Love," on Saturday, March 23 at 3 p.m.

The cantata will feature members of the Trinity Sanctuary Choir and guest performers. The choir will be accompanied by a small orchestra, including piano, flute, clarinet, French horn, violin and cello. Narrators will be Kathy Long and Robert Harris."This cantata will begin our Holy Week, because Palm Sunday is the following day," said director Sue Lovejoy.Holy Week, the last week of Lent and the week before Easter, marks the weeklong Christian commemoration of Jesus' final days and death, beginning with Palm Sunday (Passion Sunday) and including Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday."The cantata will start in Jerusalem and the events of Palm Sunday. It takes us through Holy Week, from Jesus praying in the garden, to being taken into custody and put before Pilate, and also the events of Good Friday when He died on the cross."The performance will include traditional songs such as "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" and "We Will Glorify," and contemporary pieces including "In Christ Alone."Trinity offers a Lenten cantata each year to help the community prepare for Holy Week."It's not a celebration, but more of a time of meditation," said Lovejoy. "Lent is an important event in our Christian life. The more we learn about it, the more we appreciate what He went through just because He loves us. "The cantata will feature musicians from this area and beyond, including local and regional orchestra performers."The quality of the music is very good. We have some local talent, but we also draw from the Allentown Symphony," said Lovejoy. "It's a great opportunity to see live instruments."All members of the community are invited."It should be a reminder, and a good moving experience to prepare us for Holy Week," she said. "Music brings out emotions in us that can push us to be deep in thought about our own Christian lives, and how Lent affects us."A freewill offering will be taken during the cantata to benefit the Trinity Food Pantry, which serves needy families and individuals in the Lehighton Area School District.Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church is located at Third and Iron streets in Lehighton.