Brother James’ Airs

Lighting a torch in the darkness

Month: August 2024

  1. Opening Acclamation: From Psalm 118.
  2. Anthem: Jacob Handl (1550-1591), “In nomine jesu”, performed by Chór Słowiki at the church of St. John the Baptist in Szczecin, Poland. Uploaded to YouTube by “andkuba99” and used in accordance with Creative Commons license. Translation: “In the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth and every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father. Alleluia.”
  3. First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9. King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 15, King James Version.
  5. Hymn: “Be Still My Soul”, performed by the Thomas Cumberland Choir, from “Sunday Hymn Sing” in the Community Audio section of Archive.org.
  6. Second Reading: James 1:17-27, World English Bible.
  7. Hymn: “Great is Thy Faithfulness”, verse 1, performed at St. John’s Church, Redhill, uploaded to YouTube by Ginette and Peter Nye, and used in accordance with the Creative Commons License.
  8. Gospel: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23, World English Bible.
  9. Lord’s Prayer: From Luke 11.  
  10. Blessing: 1 Timothy 1:17.
  11. Postlude: Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621), “Fantasia Cromatica”. Performed by Jin Kyung Limon the Fisk organ at Stanford University, Nov 2015; Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Pentecost, Year B, Proper 16
  1. Opening sentence: Psalm 81:1.
  2. Organ hymn: “Let the Whole Creation Cry”, in the public domain at Archive.org.
  3. Lesson 1: Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18, King James Version of the Bible.
  4. Psalm 34:15-22.
  5. Gloria Patri: By Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741), performed by Patricia Janečková at the Inauguration of the Renovated Organ of the Church of Saint Adalbert in Opava in 2020, available on YouTube and used in accordance with Creative Commons License. Text in English: “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, Amen.
  6. Lesson 2: Ephesians 6:10-20, World English Bible.
  7. Organ interlude: “The Church’s One Foundation”, public domain.
  8. Gospel: John 6:56-69, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer, and Benediction: From the Book of Common Prayer, 1662.
  10. Organ postlude: “Improvization on Cwm Rhonda” by Eric Sobel, played on the great organ of Centenary United Methodist Church, Winston-Salem, NC; used in accordance with Creative Commons license.

In many churches, this Sunday (or a day near it) is set aside to honor Mary, the mother of Jesus. While keeping the usual lectionary readings for this Sunday, I have nonetheless added in some music from the rich tradition of celebrating Mary. Enjoy.

  1. Opening Acclamation: from Psalm 51
  2. First Reading: Proverbs 9:1-6.
  3. Anthem: Pascale Colasse (1649-1709), “Beata Es Maria”, uploaded to YouTube by “L Jeanne”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  4. Psalm 34:9-14, King James Version.
  5. Gloria Patri: Excerpted from Puer Natus Est, sung at the Abbey of St. Martin of Ligugé, uploaded to YouTube by “Musique Sacree”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  6. Second Reading: Ephesians 5:15-20, World English Bible.
  7. Hymn: Anthem: William Byrd (1540-1623), “Ave Virgo Sanctissima”, sung by Ars Mvsica. In the public domain, at Archive.org.  Translation: “Hail, Holy Virgin, most blessed Mother of God, bright star of the sea. Hail, ever glorious, precious pearl, lovely as the lily, beautiful and perfumed as the rose.”
  8. Gospel: John 6:51-58, World English Bible.
  9. Lord’s Prayer (latin): Sung by the Tudor Consort. Public domain.   
  10. Blessing: 2 Corinthians 13.
  11. Postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) “Art of Fugue Contrapunctus 1”. Performed by Benjamin Alard on the organ of l’église d’Arques-la-Bataille; 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.

  1. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 107.
  2. Organ Prelude: Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621) “A Ricercare” performed
    by Mark Anthony LaMort on Hauptwerk organ, St. Maxamin sample set by
    Sonus Paradisi, uploaded to YouTube by aml5321 and used in accordance
    with Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: 1 Kings 19:4-8, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 34:1-8: King James Bible.
  5. Second Reading: Ephesians 4:25-5:2, World English Bible.
  6. Organ sequence: “I Heard The Voice of Jesus Say” performed by Rainer Schulz
    at St. Peter’s Church in Leutershausen, used in accordance with Creative
    Commons license.
  7. Gospel: John 6:35, 41-51, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.
  9. Benediction from Ephesians 3.
  10. Postlude: Louis-Nicolas Clérambault (1676-1749) “Caprice sur les Grands Jeux”
    from “Suite du Deuxième Ton, Premier Livre d’Orgue” Performed on the
    organ of Cattedrale di Cozensa, Italy. Uploaded to YouTube by “Duomo di
    Santa Maria Assunta”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.

  1. Prelude: Heinrich Scheidemann (ca. 1595-1663): Praeambulum in G, performed on the organ of Reformierten Kirche in Uttum, uploaded to YouTube by Jens Engel, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  2. Opening Acclamation: from Psalm 95:6
  3. First Reading: Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15, King James Version.
  4. Psalm 78:23-29, King James Version.
  5. Hymn: “Guide me O Thou Great Redeemer”, in the Public Domain at Archive.org.
  6. Second Reading: Ephesians 4:1-16, World English Bible.
  7. Organ Sequence: Eugene Gigout (1844-1925), excerpt from “Album grègorien: Tranquilo”, uploaded to YouTube by chordis & organo, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: John 6:24-35, 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: The Aaronic Blessing from Numbers 6 (King James Version).
  11. Organ Postlude: Eugene Gigout : Toccata in B major, performed by Joshua Sobel at the Edenton St UMC Church, Raleigh, NC, 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.