Month: October 2020

25Oct

A Celebration for the 21st Sunday after Pentecost, 2020

The last Sunday in October is honored in many Protestant churches as “Reformation Sunday”, recalling that on October 31, 1517 Martin Luther made public his 95 theses which, according to legend, he nailed to the door of the Castle church in Wittenburg, Germany. The opening hymn selected for today, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”, was written by Luther himself. Also, in honor of another holiday coming up that coincides with that date, I have chosen a special treat for the organ postlude in this virtual service.

Reformation Sunday 2020
  1. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 46:1.
  2. Hymn: “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” by unknown congregation. Public domain.
  3. First Reading: Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 1, King James Bible.
  5. Gloria Patri: Excerpted from chanting of Psalm 96 by Wakefield Cathedral Choir, 2018; Fair Use.
  6. Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, World English Bible.
  7. Organ sequence: Georg Böhm (1661-1733): Excerpt from “Ach wie nichtig, ach wie flüchtig” performed by Thiemo Janssen on the organ in Marienhafe, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  
  8. Gospel: Matthew 22:34-46, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: from Matthew 6.
  10. Blessing: 2 Corinthians 13.
  11. Organ Postlude: Johan Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): “Toccata and Fugue in D minor.” Played by Fyodor Stroganov (organ). Recorded from a concert on 10/04/2015 at the Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul. The organizer is the Collegium musicum concert agency. 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.

18Oct

Celebration of the Word for the 20th Sunday after Pentecost, 2020

20th Sunday after Pentecost 2020
  1. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 122:1: “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord!”
  2. Hymn: “Praise to The Lord, The Almighty the King of Creation”, sung by an anonymous congregation, in the public domain.
  3. First Reading: Isaiah 45:1-7, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 96, King James Bible.
  5. Gloria Patri: Excerpted from chanting of Psalm 96 by Wakefield Cathedral Choir, 2018; Fair Use.
  6. Second Reading: I Thessalonians 1:1-10, World English Bible.
  8. Organ sequence: “Ite Confessor Ist” Hymn Tune, played on the organ at Norwich Cathedral, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  9. Gospel: Matthew 22:15-22, World English Bible.
  10. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
  11. Blessing: The Aaronic Blessing from Numbers 6 (King James Version).
  12. Organ postlude: Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707), “Präludium g-Moll”, BuxWV 149, performed by Tobias Götting, Lambertikirche, Oldenburg, 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.

11Oct

Celebration of the Word for the 19th Sunday after Pentecost 2020

19th Sunday after Pentecost 2020
  1. Opening Acclamation: From Phillippians 4
  2. Anthem: “Rejoice in the Lord Always” by The Choirs of St. Matthew’s, Ottawa, directed by Stephen Candow. Uploaded to YouTube by Leonard Surges, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: Isaiah 25:1-9, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 23, sung to the hymn tune “Crimond”, Uploaded to YouTube by Christina Iqupen, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  5. Second Reading: Philippians 4:1-9, World English Bible.
  6. Hymn: “Jerusalem the Golden”, sung by an anonymous congregation, in the public domain.  
  7. Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew 6.
  9. Blessing: 1 Timothy 1:17.
  10. Organ postlude: J. S. Bach (1685–1750), “Präludium a-Moll”, BWV 543, performed by Lucas Pohle at Nikolaikirche Leipzig, 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.

04Oct

Celebration of the Word, for the 18th Sunday after Pentecost 2020

  1. Opening Acclamation: From Psalm 118.
  2. Organ prelude: J. S. Bach (1685-1750) “ Prelude G Major”, BWV 568, performed by Charlie Brusquini On the Chapel Organ at Hjo Folkhögskola, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  3. First Reading: Isaiah 5:1-7, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 80:7-15, King James Version.
  5. Hymn: “To Thee, O Lord, Be Glory Given”, Public Domain.
  6. Second Reading: Philippians 3:4b-14, World English Bible.
  7. Hymn: “God is Love”, sung by Pilgrim Mennonite Choir, Uploaded to YouTube by “bhepure isidoro”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  
  8. Gospel: Matthew 21:33-46, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke 11.
  10. Blessing: C. P. Lutkin (1858-1931) “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” sung by the Csehy Summer School, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.