Tag: Year A

24Dec

A Festival of Lessons and Carols for Christmas

“My father arranged from ancient sources a little service for Christmas Eve, nine carols and nine tiny lessons. They were read by various officers of the church, beginning with a chorister and ending, through different grades, with the bishop.”A.C. Benson

(Note: This is a repost from 1 year ago. Enjoy)

The “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” originated at Truro Cathedral in England in 1880, and has become a beloved holiday tradition for many churches since then.  I have stitched together this service from the audio sources credited below, and offer it as my reflection upon, and celebration of, the birth of the Messiah. 

  1. Hymn: “Once in Royal David’s City”, sung by the Choir of St Mark’s School, Dallas, Texas, in 2003; Available in the public domain at the Internet Archive.
  2. Bidding Prayer: Immanuel Congregational Church, Dec 2012; Available in the public domain at the Internet Archive.
  3. Lesson 1: Genesis 3:8-15. God announces in the garden of Eden that the seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent’s head.
  4. Carol: Boris Ord (1897 – 1961) “Adam Lay Ybounden”, sung by the First Congregational Church of LA, in 2018. Available on YouTube and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  5. Lesson 2: Genesis 22:15-18. God promises to faithful Abraham that in his seed shall the nations of the earth be blessed.
  6. Carol: Michael Pretorius (1571-1621) “Veni Redemptor Gentium”, Sung by the choir of Men and Boys of St. Matthew’s Church, Ottawa, Canada, in about 1971. Uploaded to YouTube by Leonard Surges and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  7. Lesson 3: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7. Christ’s birth and kingdom are foretold by Isaiah.
  8. Carol: “Joy To The World”, sung by unknown congregation, public domain.
  9. Lesson 4: Micah 5: 2-4. The prophet Micah foretells the glory of little Bethlehem.
  10. Carol: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”, sung by the Choir of St Mark’s School, Dallas, Texas, in 2003; Available in the public domain at the Internet Archive.
  11. Lesson 5: Luke 1:26-38. The angel Gabriel salutes the virgin Mary.
  12. Carol: “Gabriel’s Message” (Basque Carol), sung by Alexandra Slater, with Gareth Moore and Manx Voices, at Manannan’s Winterfest, 2019.  The music was uploaded to YouTube by Culture Vannin, and is here used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  13. Lesson 6: Matthew 1:18-23. St. Matthew tells of the birth of Jesus.
  14. Carol: “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen”, sung by the Choir of St Mark’s School, Dallas, Texas, in 2003; Available in the public domain at the Internet Archive.
  15. Lesson 7: Luke 2:1-20. St. Luke tells of the birth of Jesus.
  16. Carol: “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.”  Sung by congregation of Immanuel Congregational Church, Dec 2012; Available in the public domain at the Internet Archive.
  17. Lesson 8: Matthew 2: 1-11. Wise men are led by the star to Jesus.
  18. Carol: “What Child is This?” performed by the U.S. Army Chorus, public domain.
  19. Lesson 9: John 1: 1-14. St. John unfolds the mystery of the Incarnation.
  20. Carol: “On Christmas Night”, sung by the Choir of St Mark’s School, Dallas, Texas, in 2003; Available in the public domain at the Internet Archive.
  21. Benediction: Excerpted from a recording from Immanuel Congregational Church, Dec 2012; Available in the public domain at the Internet Archive.
  22. Recessional Hymn:  “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Sung as processional at the Carols by Candlelight service at Washington National Cathedral on December 23rd, 2015.  The music was uploaded to YouTube by Sam Cherubim, and is here used in accordance with Creative Commons license.

The Bible passages from the King James Version were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain. All audio files are given with attribution where known.

21Dec

Celebration of the Word for the 4th Sunday of Advent

  1. Opening Sentence: Isaiah 45:8.
  2. Choral Response: “Rorate Coeli de Super” (Latin version of Isaiah 45:8). This was uploaded to YouTube by “Opera Familia Christi” and used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: Isaiah 7:10-16, King James Version.
  4. Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, King James Version.
  5. Hymn: “Creator of the Stars of Night”, sung by Immanuel Congregational Church in Hartford, CT, Dec 2012; Available in the public domain at the Internet Archive.
  6. Second Reading: Romans 1:1-7, World English Bible.
  7. Hymn arranged for organ and flute: Franz Schubert “Ave Maria”, performed by Sofia Lubyantseva; Uploaded to YouTube by “FluteMasters”, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  
  8. Gospel: Matthew 1:18-25, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: Setting by Robert stone (1516-1613). Sung by the choir of St. David’s Church, Exeter, 2018. Uploaded to YouTube by David Walsh, used by permission.
  10. Blessing: Numbers 6.
  11. Organ postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) “Meine Seele Erhebt den Herren”, Bwv 648. Performed at Jacobikerk Utrecht, uploaded to YouTube by Koos van ‘t Hul, 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.

07Dec

Celebration of the Word for the 2nd Sunday of Advent 2025

  1. Opening Sentence: Mark 1.
  2. Hymn: Claude Goudimel (c. 1505-1572) “Comfort Comfort Ye, My People”, sung by Ned Tipton and the St. John’s Cathedral Compline Choir, Los Angeles, uploaded to YouTube by Steven Speciale, and used in Accordance with Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19, King James Bible.
  5. Carol: “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”, performed by the chorus of the U.S. Army Band, led by Colonel Thomas Rotondi, Jr. Public domain.
  6. Second Reading: Romans 15:4-13, World English Bible.
  7. Organ sequence: “Hark, A Thrilling Voice is Sounding”, Uploaded to YouTube by Evan Hilsabeck, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  
  8. Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
  10. Blessing: 2nd Corinthians 13.
  11. Choral Amen, public domain.
  12. Organ postlude: Heinrich Scheidemann (1595-1663) “Es ist gewisslich an der Zeit” performed by Reiner Korver on the Severijn organ in the St. Martinuskerk in Cuijk, 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.

30Nov

A Celebration of the First Sunday of Advent 2025

  1. Opening Sentence: From Psalm 25.
  2. Hymn: “Come, thou Long Expected Jesus.” Public Domain at Archive.org; Uploaded by Fr Timothy Matkin.
  3. First Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 122: “I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me” by Charles H. Hubert Parry (1848-1918). Performed by Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford; available in the Public Domain at Archive.org.
  5. Second Reading: Romans 13:11-14, World English Bible.
  6. Hymn: “Savior of the Nations Come”, sung by Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford, in the public domain at Archive.org.  
  7. Gospel: Matthew 24:36-44, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew.
  9. Blessing: 2nd Corinthians 13.
  10. Anthem: “O Come O Come Emmanuel” posted by “Ferox” in the Internet Archive. Public Domain.
  11. Organ Postlude: J.S. Bach (1685-1750) “Nun Komm, der Heiden Heiland”, BWV 659, Performed by David Schaller. Uploaded to YouTube by “After Dark Organ Music”, 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.

25Nov

The Last Sunday after Pentecost 2023: Christ the King Sunday

Christ the King Sunday 2023
  1. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 90.
  2. “O God Our Help in Ages Past” performed by Dianne Bish at Domkirche zu Trier, Germany, from the “Joy of Music” program “Hymns and Sacred Songs II”, used in Accordance with Creative Commons license.   
  3. First Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 95:1-7a, King James Bible.
  5. Second Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23, World English Bible.
  6. Hymn: “O Worship the King”, Uploaded to YouTube by “bhepure isidoro”; Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  7. Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: Setting by Phillippe Radcliffe (1905-1986), performed at Kerke de Laurens, Rotterdam, in 2020. Used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  9. Blessing: The Aaronic blessing from Numbers 6.
  10. Anthem: “Peace be with you” by Adrian Snell in a choir arrangement by Jon Fylling performed by Bodø Chamber Choir, Chorus Novus and Korinteran in Rønvik Church, Bodø on the 16th of June 2019; The soloist is Eva Marianne Olsson. 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.

23Nov

A Celebration in Word and Music for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving 2023
  1. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 92.
  2. Hymn: “Now Thank we All Our God”, performed by St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Guelph, Ontario Canada; used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: Deuteronomy 8:7-18, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 65, King James Bible.
  5. Hymn: “We Gather Together” sung by Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, California, uploaded to YouTube by Martijn de Groot, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  6. Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, World English Bible.
  7. Organ sequence: “Come Ye Thankful People Come”, Played by Diane Bish on the organ of the Monastery of the town of Engelberg, Switzerland; Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  
  8. Gospel: Luke 17:11-19, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew.
  10. Blessing: From 2 Corinthians 13
  11. Organ postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): “Nun danket alle Gott” performed by Gerd Weimar at the Lutherkirche Altena. Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
19Nov

Celebration for the 25th Sunday after Pentecost 2023

Pentecost 25th Sunday 2023
  1. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 118:1.
  2. Hymn: “Rejoice The Lord Is King” by unknown soloist. Uploaded to YouTube by Christina Iqupen, and used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.  
  3. First Reading: Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 90:1-12, King James Bible.
  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 Thessalonians 5:1-11, World English Bible.
  7. Organ Sequence: Georg Böhm (1661-1733): “Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend”, performed by Jens Engle, Used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer and benediction: From The Book of Common Prayer, 1662.
  10. Organ postlude: J. S. Bach (1685–1750), “Fantasie c-Dur”, BWV 573, performed by Axel Fischer at Lüchow, uploaded to YouTube by NOMINEeV, 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.

12Nov

Celebration of the Word for the 24th Sunday after Pentecost 2023

Pentecost 24th Sunday 2023
  1. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 51:15.
  2. Motet: Thomas Tallis (1505-1588) “Hear the Voice and Prayer” sung by The University of Iowa Camerata. Uploaded to YouTube by the University of Iowa School of Music, and used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.  
  3. First Reading: Amos 5:18-24, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 70, King James Bible.
  5. Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, World English Bible.
  6. Organ Sequence: “Beautiful Savior”, hymn played on organ by Tyler Breneman on the II/24 McManis Pipe Organ at Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lindsborg, Kansas. Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  
  7. Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
  9. Blessing: The Aaronic Blessing from Numbers 6 (King James Version).
  10. Organ postlude: Franz Liszt (1811-1886) “Prelude and Fugue on B-A-C-H”, performed by Daniela Timokhine on the organs of Freiburg Cathedral, Germany, uploaded to YouTube by “gavaec1”, 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.

04Nov

Celebration of the Word for the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost 2023: All Saints Sunday

All Saints Sunday 2023
  1. Call to Worship: Psalm 149:1
  2. Hymn: “For all the Saints” by the congregation of Immanuel Congregational Church, in the public domain at Archive.org.
  3. First Reading: Micah 3:5-12, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 43, King James Bible.
  5. Motet: Tomas Luis da Victoria (1548-1611): “O quam gloriosum”, sung at St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church in Ottumwa, Iowa. The choir is the Cantus Angelicus Choral Society. This was in the public domain, at Archive.org. Translation: “O, how glorious is the kingdom, in which all the saints rejoice with Christ!  Arrayed in white robes, they follow the Lamb, wherever He goes.”
  6. Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, World English Bible.
  7. Organ interlude: “At the Lamb’s High Feast we Sing” (Salzburg)
  8. Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12, 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: Marc Antoine Charpentier (1643-1704): “Te Deum Prelude in D Major”, performed on the 1907 Voit organ at Diakoniekirche Luther in Mannheim Neckarstadt West, uploaded to YouTube by “RomanticChurchOrgan” and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.

29Oct

Celebration for the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost 2023

Pentecost 22nd Sunday 2023
  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.