21Dec

Celebration in Word and Music for the Fourth Sunday in Advent 2024

  1. Opening Sentence: Psalm 89.
  2. 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.
  3. First Reading: Micah 5:2-5, King James Bible.
  4. Canticle of Mary: Lorenzo Perosi (1872-1956) “Magnificat”, performed at the Church of the Nativity of the BVM alla Mandria, uploaded to YouTube by “CappellaMusicaleBeataVergine”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  English Text from Luke 1:46-55:  “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.  For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
  5. Second Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10, World English Bible.
  6. 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.  
  7. Gospel: Luke 1:39-45, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
  9. Blessing: 2nd Corinthians 13.
  10. 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.

14Dec

Celebration for the Third Sunday of Advent 2024

  1. Opening Sentence: Phillippians 4.
  2. 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.
  3. First Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-20 King James Bible.
  4. Canticle: Isaiah 12:2-6
  5. Hymn: “Thine Advent Lord We Hail”, public domain.
  6. Second Reading: Phillipians 4:4-7, World English Bible.  
  7. Organ sequence: “Lo, He Comes with Clouds of Glory”, Uploaded to YouTube by “Ubertuba”; Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  
  8. Gospel: Luke 3:7-18, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From the Book of Common Prayer 1660.
  10. Blessing: 2nd Corinthians 13.
  11. 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.
  12. Organ postlude: Georg Böhm (1661-1733), “Freu dich sehr, o meine Seele” performed by Rainer Schulz, 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.

08Dec

Celebration of the Second Sunday of Advent 2024

  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: Malachi 3: 1-4, King James Bible.
  4. Canticle of Zechariah “Benedictus” (Luke 1:68-79) from the Book of Common Prayer, 1662.
  5. Hymn: Gustav Holst (1874-1934) “In the Bleak Midwinter”, performed in December 2010 by QuireCleveland under direction by Ross W. Duffin, at the Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland, OH. Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  
  6. Second Reading: Philippians 1:3-11, 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: Luke 3: 1-6, 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

Celebration of the First Sunday of Advent 2024

  1. Opening Sentence: Isaiah 9:2.
  2. “Come, thou Long Expected Jesus” performed at the University Church in Walla Walla, WA, uploaded to YouTube by “Your Church” and used in Accordance with Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 25:1-10, King James Bible.
  5. Gloria Patri (“Glory be to the Father”) by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594), sung by Salt Lake Children’s Choir, at the First Baptist Church of Salt Lake City, May 2011; Uploaded to YouTube by “lemmondg”; Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  
  6. Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, World English Bible.
  7. Hymn: “Savior of the Nations Come”, sung by Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford, in the public domain at Archive.org.  
  8. Gospel: Luke 21:25-36, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew.
  10. Blessing: 2nd Corinthians 13.
  11. Anthem: “O Come O Come Emmanuel” posted by “Ferox” in the Internet Archive. Public Domain.
  12. Organ Postlude: J.S. Bach () “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.

24Nov

Celebration for the 27th Sunday after Pentecost 2024: Christ the King Sunday

  1. Opening Acclamation: Ephesians 1.
  2. Prelude: “All Hail the Power of Jesus Name” arranged and performed by organist Dianne Bish, from “Joy of Music” program 2205, “Music and the Bible: Jesus”. This is used in accordance with the Creative Commons License.
  3. First Reading: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 93, King James Bible.
  5. Hymn: “O Worship the King”, Uploaded to YouTube by “bhepure isidoro”; Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  6. Second Reading: Revelation 1:4-8, World English Bible.
  7. Sequence: “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” uploaded by WhisperSongs, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: John 18:33-37, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From the Gospel of Luke.
  10. Blessing: The Aaronic blessing from Numbers 6.
  11. Postlude: Jean Langlais (1907-1991), “Acclamations” from Suite Médiévale, performed by Matteo Maiolo, 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.

17Nov

Readings and Music for the 26th Sunday after Pentecost 2024

  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: Daniel 12:1-3, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 16, 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: Hebrews 10:11-14, 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: Mark 13:1-8, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew 6.
  10. Blessing: From 2 Corinthians 13
  11. 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.

10Nov

Celebration of the 25th Sunday after Pentecost

  1. Call to Worship: Psalm 149:1
  2. Hymn: “Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun” by the Stour Valley Benefice, 2023, online at Youtube, used in accordance with the Creative Commons License.
  3. First Reading: 1 Kings 17:8-16, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 146, King James Bible.
  5. Motet: Motet: Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986) “Ubi Caritas,” performed by Initio Ensemble, at the Novosibirsk Special Musical School in 2014, uploaded to YouTube by Ivan Gorin, and used in accordance with the Creative Commons license. Translation: “Where charity and love are, God is there. Love of Christ has gathered us into one. Let us rejoice in Him and be glad. Let us fear, and let us love the living God. And from a sincere heart let us love one. Where charity and love are, God is there. At the same time, therefore, are gathered into one: Lest we be divided in mind, let us beware. Let evil impulses stop, let controversy cease. And in the midst of us be Christ our God. Where charity and love are, God is there. At the same time we see that with the saints also, Thy face in glory, O Christ our God: The joy that is immense and good, Unto the World without end. Amen.“
  6. Second Reading: Hebrews 9:24-28, World English Bible.
  7. Organ interlude: “At the Lamb’s High Feast we Sing” (Salzburg)
  8. Gospel: Mark 12:38-44, World English Bible.
  9. 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.
  10. Blessing: The Aaronic Blessing from Numbers 6 (King James Version).
  11. Organ postlude: Johann Ludwig Krebs (1713-1780): “Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan”, (What God Orgains is Always Good) performed in 2020 at Kerken de Laurens, available on YouTube 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.

03Nov

24th Sunday After Pentecost 2024

  1. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 46:1.
  2. Organ Prelude: “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” performed at Uppsala Cathedral by Diane Bish, from “Hymns and Sacred Songs II”, used in accordance with Creative Commons License
  3. First Reading: Deuteronomy 6:1-9, King James Bible.
  4. Hymn: “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” sung by an unknown congregation. Public domain.
  5. Psalm 119:1-8, King James Bible.
  6. Motet: Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924) “Beati Quorum Via”, based on Psalm 119:1, sung by the choir of St. John the Evangelist, Redhill, uploaded to YouTube by Ginette and Peter Nye, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  7. Second Reading: Hebrews 9:11-14, World English Bible.
  8. Organ sequence: Johann Christoph Bach (1642-1703) “Wir glauben all an einen Gott”, performed on the organ of Sta. Maria church, Montblanc, Tarragona, Catalunya, Spain. Uploaded to YouTube by “Bablung music”, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  9. Gospel: Mark 12:28-34, World English Bible.
  10. The Lord’s Prayer: from Matthew 6.
  11. Blessing: 1 Timothy 1:17.
  12. 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.

20Oct

Celebration of the Word for the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost

  1. Opening Sentence: From the Book of Common Prayer, 1662
  2. Hymn: “Alleluia, Sing to Jesus”, performed by organist Diane Bish, from “Joy of Music” program “9913 Great Organs and Churches of France”. Used in accordance with the Creative Commons license. 
  3. First Reading: Isaiah 53:4-12, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 91:9-16, King James Bible.
  5. Hymn: “Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer”, unknown congregation, in the public domain at Archive.org.
  6. Second Reading: Hebrews 5:1-10, World English Bible.
  7. Organ sequence: “Ite Confessor Ist” Hymn Tune, played on the organ at Norwich Cathedral, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  8. Gospel: Mark 10:35-45, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From the Book of Common Prayer, 1662.
  10. Benediction: From the Book of Common Prayer, 1662.
  11. Organ postlude: Nicholaus Bruhns (1665-1697) “E-moll Preludium,” performed by Bertalan Nagy on the organ of the Lutheran Church in Deák Square. 2021. This recording is used in accordance with the 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.

13Oct

Celebration for the 21st Sunday after Pentecost

  1. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 19.
  2. Hymn: “Praise to The Lord, The Almighty the King of Creation”, sung by an anonymous congregation, in the public domain.
  3. First Reading: Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 90:12-17, King James Bible.
  5. Gloria Patri: From a live service at the First Presbyterian Church of Wolcott. Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  6. Second Reading: Hebrews 4:12-16, World English Bible.
  7. Hymn: “O God Our Help In Ages Past”, public domain. 
  8. Gospel: Mark 10:17-31, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
  10. Blessing: The Aaronic Blessing from Numbers 6 (King James Version).
  11. 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.