Tag: Feasts and seasons

01Apr

Maundy Thursday: “A New Commandment”

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:

Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God, and was going to God, arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel and wrapped a towel around his waist. Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”

Jesus answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.”

Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!”

Jesus answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.”

Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”

Jesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” For he knew him who would betray him, therefore he said, “You are not all clean.” So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you. Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither is one who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 

… When he had gone out, Jesus said, “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 he will glorify him immediately. Little children, I will be with you a little while longer. You will seek me, and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you can’t come,’ so now I tell you. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Gospel reading for Maundy Thursday, from Librivox

Music: “I give you a new Commandment” by John Sheppard (1515-1558). This was performed by Greensboro Early Music, October 14, 2011. It was uploaded to YouTube by Andy Bonner, and is used here in accordance with the Creative Commons license.

Sheppard – “I Give You A New Commandment”

28Mar

Palm Sunday 2021-A Celebration of the Passion of Christ

Palm Sunday 2021
  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.

28Feb

A Celebration of the Word for the Second Sunday of Lent 2021

Second Sunday of Lent 2021
  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.

14Feb

Transfiguration Sunday, A Celebration in Word and Music

Transfiguration Sunday 2021
  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.

07Feb

Celebration of Word and Music for the 5th Sunday of Epiphany

5th Sunday of Epiphany 2021
  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.
31Jan

Celebration of the Word for the 4th Sunday of Epiphany

4th Sunday of Epiphany 2021
  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.

24Jan

Celebration of the Word for the Third Sunday after Epiphany

Third Sunday of Epiphany 2020
  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.

17Jan

Celebration of Word and Music for the Second Sunday After the Epiphany 2021

Second Sunday after Epiphany 2021
  1. Opening acclamation: Psalm 118.
  2. Hymn: “O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing”, Soloist Roger McMurrin, and Dianne Bish, organ, from “Joy of Music” program entitled “The Life of John Wesley”, uploaded to YouTube by “Joy Of Music” and used in accordance with Creative Commons license. 
  3. First Reading: 1 Samuel 3:1-10, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18, King James Version.
  5. Gloria Patri: From a live service at the First Presbyterian Church of Wolcott. Used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  6. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, World English Bible.
  7. Hymn: “Open My Eyes, That I May See” performed by Fountainview Academy; uploaded to YouTube by Terceiro Anjo, and used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: John 1:43-51, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew.
  10. Blessing: from 2 Corinthians 13.
  11. Organ Postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) “Toccata, Adagio und Fuge in C-Dur: Toccata (BWV 564)” performed by Kerstin Wolf on the Steinmeyer-Organ of St. Michaelis, Hamburg, uploaded to YouTube by Kerstin Wolf, 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.

10Jan

A Celebration for the First Sunday of the Epiphany

First Sunday of Epiphany 2021
  1. Opening Sentence: Isaiah 60:1.
  2. Hymn: “We Three Kings”, from unknown congregation, uploaded to YouTube by “Jonathan Hughes” and used in accordance with Creative Commons license. 
  3. First Reading: Genesis 1:1-5, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 29, King James Version.
  5. Hymn: “Worship the Lord In Beauty of Holiness”, Public Domain. 
  6. Second Reading: Acts 19:1-7, World English Bible.
  7. Organ interlude: Max Reger (1873-1916) “Wie Schoen Leuchtet die Morgenstern” op 135a, Performed by Jens Engel on the organ of the Lukaskirche Troisdorf-Spich; uploaded to YouTube and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: John 1:10-18, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
  10. Blessing: from Romans.
  11. Anthem: William Byrd (1543-1623) “O Magnum Mysterium” Sung by Ensemble Morales. Available in the 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.

03Jan

A Celebration of Word and Music for the Second Sunday of Christmas 2020

2nd Sunday of Christmas 2020
  1. Opening Salutation: Ephesians 1:2.
  2. “I saw three ships come sailing in”, arr David Willcocks sung by the Guildford Cathedral Choir under Barry Rose, uploaded to YouTube by “Stirling” and used in accordance with Creative Commons license. 
  3. First Reading: Jeremiah 31:7-14, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 147:12-20, King James Version. This version was excerpted from a video uploaded to YouTube by “Christian Meditation” and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  5. Hymn: “How Brightly Shines the Morning Star” sung in German by Wiltner Boys Choir of Innsbruck, Austria, featured in “Joy of Music 2214 CHRISTMAS IN ART & MUSIC”, uploaded to YouTube and used in accordance with Creative Commons license. English lyrics: 1. How brightly shines the Morning Star! The nations see and hail afar the light in Judah shining. Thou David’s son of Jacob’s race, The Bridegroom, and the King of grace, for thee our hearts are pining!Lowly, holy, great and glorious, thou victorious Prince of graces, filling all the heavenly places. 2. Though circled by the hosts on high, he deigns to cast a pitying eye upon his helpless creature; the whole creation’s Head and Lord, by highest seraphim adored, assumes our very nature. Jesus, grant us, through thy merit, to inherit thy salvation: hear, O hear our supplication. 3. Rejoice, ye heav’ns; thou earth, reply; with praise, ye sinners, fill the sky for this his incarnation. Incarnate God, put forth thy pow’r, ride on, ride on, great Conqueror, till all know thy salvation. Amen, amen! Alleluya, alleluya! Praise be given evermore by earth and heaven. 
  6. Second Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14, World English Bible.
  7. Organ interlude: “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” (with Christine Capote, Flute), featured in “Joy of Music 2214 CHRISTMAS IN ART & MUSIC”, uploaded to YouTube and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: John 1:10-18, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
  10. Blessing: 2nd Corinthians 13.
  11. Anthem: Franz Josef Haydn (1732-1809) “The Heavens are Telling the Glory of God” Sung by the Choir of St John the Evangelist, Redhill at the Advent Carol Service 2016. Uploaded to YouTube by Ginette and Peter Nye 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.