This brief service of music and sacred scripture is offered in praise of God, and for the benefit of any who would like to worship in this manner.
Easter 4th Sunday 2023
Opening acclamation and organ prelude: “I know that My Redeemer lives”, by Diane Bish, performing from St. Jacob’s Church, Prague, on a program entitled “Easter Alleluias”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
First Reading: Acts 2: 42-47, World English Bible.
Psalm 23 “Brother James Air” by unknown artists, uploaded to YouTube by user “mk671tv”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Second Reading: 1 Peter 2: 19-29, World English Bible.
Hymn: “Now the Green Blade Riseth” performed by Stour Valley Benefice, United Kingdom, 2022, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Gospel Reading: John 10: 1-10, World English Bible.
Lord’s Prayer by Malotte: Sung by Kathleen Battle with harp by Nancy Allen, live for the visit of Pope Benedict to the U.S. 2009, uploated to youtube by “kinddude”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Closing blessing: From Romans.
Postlude: Heut Triumphiret Gottes Sohn, BWV 630, performed by Aldo Locatelli.
Prelude: Concerto for 2 Trumpets in C major, RV 537, by Antonio Vivaldi, performed by Michael Rondeau. Available at MusOpen.
Reading: Acts 2:14a, 36-41, from the World English Bible, by Librivox.
Hymn: “Thine Be The Glory, Risen Conquering Son (Traditional Easter Hymn)”, From Internet Archives.
Reading: Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19, from the King James Version, by Librivox.
Music: Excerpt from Variations on an American Hymn Tune, by Gordon Young, performed by Paul Pittman. At MusOpen.
Reading: 1 Peter 1:17-23, World English Bible.
Motet: Josef Rheinberger (1839-1901) “Abendlied,” Op 69, no. 3, performed at Trinity Church, Boston. This recording is available on Wikimedia Commons, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license. Translation: Bide with us, for evening shadows darken, and the day will soon be over.
Gospel reading: Luke 24:13-35, World English Bible.
The Lord’s Prayer, King James Version
Choral benediction: C.P. Lutkin. “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.” Sung by the Csehy Summer School, 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.
Prelude: Concerto for 2 Trumpets in D Major, by Johann Molter, MWV 6.30 – III. Allegro. From a European Archive, at MusOpen.
Reading: Acts 2:14a, 22-32, from the World English Bible, by Librivox.
Music: Hymn: “Jesus Lives!” by Stour Valley Benefice, United Kingdom, 2022, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Reading: Psalm 16, from the King James Version, by Librivox.
Hymn: “The Strife is O’er The Battle Won”, by Stour Valley Benefice, United Kingdom, 2022, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Second Reading: 1 Peter 3: 3-9, World English Bible.
Hymn: “O Filii et Filiae”, uploaded to YouTube in 2016 by “Catholique de France”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license. English version: “Alleluia, alleluia,alleluia, alleluia! 1. O sons and daughters of the King, whom heavenly hosts in glory sing, today the grave has lost its sting. Alleluia! 2. That Easter morn at break of day, the faithful women went their way to seek the tomb where Jesus lay. Alleluia! 3. An angel clad in white they see, who sat and spoke unto the three, “Your Lord has gone to Galilee.” Alleluia! 4. When Thomas first the tidings heard that some had seen the risen Lord, he doubted the disciples’ word. Lord, have mercy! 5. At night the apostles met in fear; among them came their Master dear and said, “My peace be with you here.” Alleluia! 6. “My pierced side, O Thomas, see, and look upon my hands, my feet; not faithless but believing be.” Alleluia! 7. No longer Thomas then denied; he saw the feet, the hands, the side. “You are my Lord and God!” he cried. Alleluia! 8. How blest are they who have not seen and yet whose faith has constant been, for they eternal life shall win. Alleluia.“
Reading: John 20:19-31, from the World English Bible.
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.
Benediction.
Song: “Exultate Deo”, by William Byrd; Internet Archives Community Audio.
Organ Postlude: L Farnum (1885-1930) “Toccata on O Filie et Filiae”, Performed by Diane Bish at St. Michaels Church, Munich Germany; From “Joy of Music 9611 FAVORITE SACRED CLASSICS”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
The Lord’s Prayer: From the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.
Blessing: From Second Corinthians.
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.
Gloria Patri by Antionio Vivaldi (1678-1741) Performed by Orquesta del Conservatori Superior de musica Juaquin Rodrigo Valencia (spain) in 2012; Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Reading: Colossians 3: 1-4, World English Bible.
Hymn: “Jesus Christ is Risen Today,” by Stour Valley Benefice, United Kingdom, 2022, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Reading: John 20:1-20, from the World English Bible.
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.
Benediction from Romans 16:24.
Music: “Amen”, from Magnificat, by Jan Dismas Zelenka; Performed by the Prague Choral Society, at MusOpen (linked above).
Organ Hymn: “Christ the Lord is Risen Today,” performed by Diane Bish, from “Joy of Music” program 2501, “Hymns and Spiritual Songs of Easter.” Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Hymn: “O Sacred Head Now Wounded.” From a Good Friday service in 2018 at the First Congregational Church of LA, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
First Reading: Isaiah 52:13-53:12, King James Bible.
Motet: Thomas Tallis (1505-1588) “Salvator Mundi”, uploaded to YouTube by “mk671tv”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license. Text in English: O Saviour of the world, save us, who by thy cross and blood hast redeemed us, help us, we pray thee, O Lord our God.
Psalm 22 from the King James Bible.
Motet: Antonio Lotti (1667-1740) “Crucifixus”, Performed by Coro Universidad Nacional de Rio Corto, used in accordance with Creative Commons license. Text in English: He was crucified also for us, under Pontius Pilate he suffered and was buried.
Second Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, World English Bible.
Motet: Tomas Luis de Victoria (1548-1611) “O Vos Omnes”, Performed by the Tudor Consort. Available on YouTube at “Free Music Channel” under Creative Commons license. Text in English: All you who walk by on the road, pay attention and see if there be any sorrow like my sorrow. Pay attention, all people, and look at my sorrow: if there be any sorrow like my sorrow.
A Reading of the Passion Narrative from John 18:1–19:42, World English Bible.
Organ postlude: Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) “Da Jesus an dem Kreuze stund” performed by Jean-Dominique Pasquet on the grand organ of l’Oratoire du Louvre à Paris, 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.
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. Here is a lovely sung version of the text:
(Audio File: “Mandatum – P. Latona – Choral Meditation” uploaded to YouTube in 2020 by “mk671vlogs”, used in accordance with the Creative Commons license. It appears that this was sung at the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception).
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord–and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
“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 will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, `Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
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.
First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a, King James Bible.
Psalm 31:9-16
Second Reading: Philippians 2:5-11, World English Bible.
Hymn: “O Sacred Head Now Wounded”, Immanuel Congregational Church in 2013, available in the public domain at Archive.org.
A Reading of the Passion Narrative from Matthew 26:14-27:66, World English Bible.
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.
Blessing: The “Aaronic blessing” From Deuteronomy.
Postlude: Claude Gaudimel (c.1520 – 1572) “Psalm 2” for organ and cello, uploaded to YouTube in 2021 by Cees en Sander, used here 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.