Today the church remembers the occasion when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. He gave his disciples (and us) a “new commandment”, to love one another in the same way that he loved them. The Gospel lesson according to the Revised Common Lectionary is John 13:1-17 and 31-35. Here is a lovely sung version of the text:

(Audio File: “Mandatum – P. Latona – Choral Meditation” uploaded to YouTube in 2020 by “mk671vlogs”, used in accordance with the Creative Commons license. It appears that this was sung at the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception).

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord–and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, `Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Palm Sunday, Year B
  1. Prelude: “All Glory Laud and Honor,” performed by Diane Bish on the organ of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, from the Joy of Music program “Hymns and Spiritual Songs of Easter,” used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  2. First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a, King James Bible.
  3. Psalm 31:9-16 
  4. Second Reading: Philippians 2:5-11, World English Bible.
  5. Hymn: “O Sacred Head Now Wounded”, Immanuel Congregational Church in 2013, available in the public domain at Archive.org.
  6. A Reading of the Passion Narrative from Mark 14:1–15:47, World English Bible.
  7. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
  8. Blessing: The “Aaronic blessing” From Deuteronomy.

The Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain. Readings correspond to the Revised Common Lectionary. All audio files are given with attribution where known.

Lent fifth Sunday Year B
  1. Call to Worship: From Psalm 51.
  2. Response: “Lord Have Mercy”, from “Wednesday Vespers – Sanctified 2018 Tacoma”, uploaded to YouTube by Pacific Lutheran University, and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  3. First Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 51
  5. Second Reading: Hebrews 5:5-10, World English Bible.
  6. Hymn: “Ah Holy Jesus”, Immanuel Congregational Church in 2013, available in the public domain at Archive.org.
  7. Gospel: John 12:20-33, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew.
  9. Blessing:  From Second Corinthians.
  10. Grigorio Allegri (1582-1652) “Miserere Mei”, performed by Trinity College Dublin, in public domain at Archive.org..

The Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain. Readings correspond to the Revised Common Lectionary. All audio files are given with attribution where known.

  1. Call to Worship: From Psalm 51.
  2. Introit: Antonio Lotti (1667-1740) “Kyrie” from Missa (4V C maj), by unkown choir, uploaded to YouTube by “Free Music Tube”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: Exodus 20:1-17, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 19: 1-8, King James Version.
  5. Hymn: “O Worship The King” sung by the Choir of Pilgrim Mennonite Mission in 2015, uploaded to YouTube by Bhepure Isidoro, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  6. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, World English Bible.
  7. Organ interlude: “Jesus, Lover of My Soul”, played by Diane Bish on the organ of Gloucester Cathedral, excerpted from “The Joy of Music: Hymns and Sacred Songs from Word of God”, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  8. Gospel: John 2:13-22, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew.
  10. Blessing:  From 2 Corinthians 13.
  11. Organ Postlude:  Joseph Rheinberger () “Fughetta in c-minor no.2” op. 123A. Played by Joey Wetzels on the Vermeulen organ (1955) St. Martinuskerk Tegelen, uploaded to YouTube by Joey Wetzels, and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.

The Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain. Readings correspond to the Revised Common Lectionary. All audio files are given with attribution where known.

Lent 2nd Sunday Year B
  1. Introit and organ prelude: André Raison (c.1640-1719) – Messe du 3º Ton – “Kyrie eleison” (Lord, Have Mercy), performed by Jean-Patrice Brosse (orgue) and Ensemble Vox Cantoris; uploaded to YouTube by “Pau NG” and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  2. First Reading: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, King James Bible.
  3. Psalm 22:23-31, King James Version.
  4. Hymn: “The God of Abraham Praise”, sung in a live service in 2017 at the shrine of the National Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  5. Second Reading: Roman 4:13-25, World English Bible.
  6. Organ interlude: Henry Coleman (1888-1965): Excerpt from “The Word of God”, Posted by “Chordis & Organo, and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  7. Gospel: Mark 8:31-38, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
  9. Blessing: The “Aaronic blessing” from Numbers 6.
  10. Organ Postlude:  Johann Gottfried Walther (1684-1748) “Herzlich tut mich verlangen / O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden” performed by Jens Engel, uploaded to YouTube by him, and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.

The Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain. Readings correspond to the Revised Common Lectionary. All audio files are given with attribution where known.

Lent First Sunday Year B
  1. Hymn: “Holy God, Holy Almighty, Holy Immortal One, Have Mercy” (Trisagion), From OrthodoxMusicOnline, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  2. First Reading: Genesis 9:8-17, King James Bible.
  3. Anthem: Henry Purcell (1659-1695) “Remember Not O Lord Our Offenses”, unknown choir, available in public domain at Archive.org.
  4. Psalm 25: 1-10, King James Version.
  5. Anthem: Psalm 25 v 6, sung by Northern Presbytery Choir, uploaded to YouTube by Sean McPherson, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  6. Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22, World English Bible.
  7. Organ interlude: Henry Coleman (1888-1965): Excerpt from “The Word of God”, Posted by “Chordis & Organo, and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  8. Gospel: Mark 1:9-15, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: Chanted by unknown congregation, uploaded to YouTube by “LabourerFaith”, and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  10. Blessing: From Romans.
  11. Organ Postlude:  Girolamo Alessandro Frescobaldi (1583 – 1643) “Canzona Post Il Comune”, performed by Joshua Sobel, uploaded to YouTube by him, and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.

The Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain. Readings correspond to the Revised Common Lectionary. All audio files are given with attribution where known.

Transfiguration Sunday Year B
  1. Opening acclamation: from Psalm 50.
  2. Hymn: “Crown Him with Many Crowns”, Public domain.
  3. First Reading: 2 Kings 2: 1-12, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 50: 1-6, King James Version.
  5. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 4:3-6, World English Bible.
  6. Hymn: “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind”, Stanza 5. From a 2012 recording by Immanuel UCC Hartford, available in the public domain at Archive.org.
  7. Gospel: Mark 9:2-9, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
  9. Blessing:  The Aaronic Blessing from Numbers 6.
  10. Organ Postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) “Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern” BWV 739, performed by Thorston Ahlrichs on Christian Vater Orgel (1722) in Bockhorn, St. Cosmas und Damian, uploaded to YouTube by NOMINEeV, and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.

The Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain. Readings correspond to the Revised Common Lectionary. All audio files are given with attribution where known.

  1. Opening acclamation: from Phillippians.
  2. Anthem: William Byrd (1543-1623) “Exultate Deo” sung by Drake University Chamber Choir, available in the public domain on Archive.org. Translation: Rejoice unto God our helper, sing aloud unto the God of Jacob. Take a psalm and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant psaltery with the harp. Blow the trumpet in the new moon, on the noted day of your solemnity
  3. First Reading: Isaiah 40:21-31, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 147:1-11, 20c, King James Version. This version set to music and uploaded to YouTube by “The Book of Psalms”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  5. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, World English Bible.
  6. Hymn: “I Will Sing the Wondrous Story” (stanza 1) performed Aug 2020 by Park Cities Baptist Church, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  7. Gospel: Mark 1:29-39, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew 6.
  9. Blessing:  2 Corinthians.
  10. Organ Postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) “Vivace”-from Trio Sonata No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 526, performed in 2018 on the organ of Minoritenkirche Linz/Donau, by Magdalena Hasibeder, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
Epiphany 4th Sunday, Year B
  1. Opening acclamation: Psalm 81:1.
  2. Organ Prelude: Thomas Attwood (1765-1838): “Sonatina in G”, played by Joey Wetzels on a klais organ from 1931, uploaded to YouTube by “Joey Wetzels” and used in accordance with Creative Commons license. 
  3. First Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-20, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 111, King James Version.
  5. Hymn: “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty the King of Creation”, Public domain.
  6. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, World English Bible.
  7. Anthem: William Byrd (1543-1623): “”I Have Longed For Thy Saving Health” performed in 2018 by First Congregational Church of LA under Dr. David Harris, Music Director and Dr. Christoph Bull, organist, uploaded to YouTube by FCCLA and used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: Mark 1:21-28, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: Excerpted from a public domain archive of a church service at The Chapel of St Andrew Episcopal Church, Boca Raton FL circa 2010.
  10. Blessing: from Romans.
  11. Organ Postlude: William Harris (1883-1973) “Postlude in G” from a live service at Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford in 2012, Public Domain.

The Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain. Readings correspond to the Revised Common Lectionary. All audio files are given with attribution where known.

Epiphany 3rd Sunday, Year B
  1. Opening acclamation: Ephesians 1.
  2. Organ Prelude: Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707): “Praeludium and Fuge” BuxWV 147, ernst stolz Hauptwerk Müller organ Oosterwijtwerd, uploaded to YouTube by “My Years With Early Music” and used in accordance with Creative Commons license. 
  3. First Reading: Jonah 3:1-5, 10, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 62:5-12, King James Version.
  5. Hymn: “O God Our Help in Ages Past”, Public domain.
  6. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, World English Bible.
  7. Hymn: “Ye servants of God, your Master Proclaim” (stanza 1), uploaded to YouTube by Christina Iqupen, and used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: Mark 1:14-20, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
  10. Blessing: Aaronic blessing from Numbers 6.

The Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain. Readings correspond to the Revised Common Lectionary. All audio files are given with attribution where known.