Month: September 2020

27Sep

Celebration of the Word for the 17th Sunday after Pentecost

17th Sunday afer Pentecost 2020
  1. Organ prelude: Max Reger (1873-1916) “Scherzo in D”, Op 65, performed by Raúl Prieto Ramírez, on the restored 1928 Skinner Organ at Hope College, MI, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  2. First Reading: Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32, King James Bible.
  3. Psalm 25:1-9­, King James Version.
  4. Anthem: Psalm 25 v 6, sung by Northern Presbytery Choir, uploaded to YouTube by Sean McPherson, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  5. Second Reading: Philippians 2:1-13, World English Bible.
  6. Organ Sequence: David Johnson’s “Wondrous Love”, played by Joey Wetzels on the great Klais organ of the Monastery St. Michael in Steyl, uploaded to YouTube by Joey Wetzels, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  
  7. Gospel: Matthew 21:23-3, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew 6.
  9. Blessing: Tim Knight: “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  10. Postlude: Max Reger (1873-1916) “Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier”, op. 135a, performed by Jens Engel on the organ of Christuskirche, Lohmar, Germany. 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.

20Sep

Celebration of the Word, for the 16th Sunday after Pentecost

  1. Opening Acclamation: from Psalm 29:2.
  2. Hymn: “Come, Thou Almighty King”, unknown congregation, available in public domain.
  3. First Reading: Jonah 3:10-4:11, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 145:1-8, King James Version.
  5. Second Reading: Philippians 1:21-30, World English Bible.
  6. Organ Sequence: Starling Goodwin (1711-1774), “London Old, Interlude 1”, uploaded to YouTube by Chordis and Organo, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  
  7. Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: Chanted by unknown congregation, uploaded to YouTube by “LabourerFaith”, and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  9. Blessing: The Aaronic Blessing from Numbers 6 (King James Version).
  10. Postlude: Nicholaus Bruhns (1665-1697) “Praeludium, e-moll”, performed on Arp Schnitger Orgel at Ganderkesee, by Thorsten Ahlrichs, use in accordance with Creative Commons licence.

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.

17Sep

Ah, The End of Summer

A chill creeps into the air.  School buses zip through neighborhoods ferrying youngsters to school.  The peak of summer is a fading memory, a languid dream sandwiched between academic semesters. For students, homework now begins to pile up.  Marching bands drum and play outdoors as football players practice tackling each other in adjacent fields.  

In many churches, in a normal year, the summer doldrums would also be over.  Attendance picks up dramatically. Sunday school resumes. The senior pastor is back from vacation.  The summer musicians have disbanded and the “A Team” choir or praise team is back.  

Of course, in 2020, these normal rhythms have been disrupted.  Virtuality is the norm in many places, including the church.  In my virtual church playlist for this week, I have decided to simulate the end of summer by adding some special musical touches, particularly the thrilling hymn “Crown Him With Many Crowns”, and the opening brass and organ duo performing “The Prince of Denmark March”.  I picture the service beginning with a full choir in procession.  In the churches that go for “high church” ceremony, the incense is back, and we see the processional cross sticking out above billowing clouds of rose scented smoke.

I pray you will enjoy the virtual service.  May you be edified by this week’s Scripture readings. 

13Sep

A Celebration of the Word for the 15th Sunday after Pentecost

  1. Opening Acclamation: from Psalm 27:1.
  2. Organ prelude: Jeremiah Clarke (1674-1707), “Prince of Denmark March”, Performed by Michael Rondeau, available in the public domain, at MusOpen.org.
  3. First Reading: Genesis 50:15-21, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 103:(1-7), 8-13, King James Version.
  5. Second Reading: Romans 14:1-1, World English Bible.
  6. Hymn: “Crown Him with Many Crowns”, public domain.
  7. Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35, World English Bible.
  8. Lord’s Prayer: From Luke 11.  
  9. Blessing: 1 Timothy 1:17.
  10. Postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) “Fantasia and Fugue”, BWV 562, performed by Gosse Hulzinga, in the public domain at MusOpen.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.

06Sep

Celebration of the Word for the 14th Sunday after Pentecost

14th Sunday after Pentecost 2020
  1. Opening Acclamation: from Psalm 57:5.
  2. Organ prelude: Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1706), “Praeludium und Fuge” BuxWV 147, performed on ernst stolz Hauptwerk Müller organ Oosterwijtwerd, uploaded to YouTube by “My Years With Early Music”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: Ezekiel 33:7-11, King James Bible.
  4. Hymn: “Praise the Lord, The King of Heaven”, Public domain.
  5. Psalm 119:33-40, King James Version.
  6. Gloria Patri: Excerpted from a version of the “Magnificat” sung by the choir of Saint James Episcopal Church, Warrenton, VA on April 22, 2015, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  7. Second Reading: Romans 13:8-14, World English Bible.
  8. Anthem: Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757), “Fac ut ardeat cor meum in amando Christum Deum ut sibi complaceam”, from Stabat Mater, performed by the Tudor Consort, used in accordance with Creative Commons License. Translation: “Grant that my heart may burn in the love of Christ my Lord, that I may greatly please Him.”
  9. Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20, World English Bible.
  10. The Lord’s Prayer: from Matthew 6.
  11. Blessing: 2 Corinthians 13.
  12. Postlude: Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1706), “Toccata en Fa majeur” BuxWV 156, performed by Anne-Gaëlle Chanon on the orgue Schnitger de la Martinikerk de Groningen, 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.