Category: Music

30Oct

Celebration of the 21st Sunday After Pentecost 2022: Reformation Sunday

The last Sunday in October is honored in many Protestant churches as “Reformation Sunday”, recalling that on October 31, 1517 Martin Luther made public his 95 theses which, according to legend, he nailed to the door of the Castle church in Wittenburg, Germany. The opening hymn selected for today, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”, was written by Luther himself. Also, in honor of another holiday coming up that coincides with that date, I have chosen a special treat for the organ postlude in this virtual service.

Pentecost 21st Sunday 2022
  1. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 46:1.
  2. Organ Prelude: “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” performed at Zwingli’s church, Bern Minster, by Diane Bish, from “8719 BERN CATHEDRAL – BERN, SWITZERLAND”, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  3. First Reading: Isaiah 1:10-18, King James Bible.
  4. Hymn: “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” sung by an unknown congregation. Public domain.
  5. Psalm 32:1-7, King James Bible.
  6. Response: Psalm 84 (1), sung at Kerke de Laurens, Rotterdam, in 2020. Used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  7. Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, World English Bible.
  8. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Chorale prelude on “Allein Gott in der Höh´ sei Ehr´” BWV 716, recorded on Hauptwerk VI, using the Sonus Paradisi Sample Set of the Schnitger Organ in Noordbroek, Netherlands. Uploaded to Youtube by Leon Kopecny in 2021, used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  9. Gospel: Luke 19:1-10, World English Bible.
  10. 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.
  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. 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.

22Oct

Celebration of the Word for the 20th Sunday after Pentecost 2022

Pentecost 20th Sunday 2022
  1. Opening Acclamation: Ephesians 1.
  2. Organ Prelude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) “Organ Prelude in G Major” BWV 568, performed by David Stith at St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, Austin, Texas, uploaded to YouTube by “StripedGazelle”, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm: Psalm 84, sung by the Clarion Singers, uploaded to YouTube by Rende Brouwer, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  5. Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, World English Bible.
  6. Anthem: Giovanni da Palestrina (c. 1525 – 1594) “Alleluia.” Sung at First Congregational Church of LA, available on YouTube, and used in accordance with the Creative Commons License.
  7. Gospel: Luke 18:9-14, World English Bible.
  8. 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.
  9. Blessing: From Romans.
  10. Organ postlude: “Improvisation on Cwm Rhonda (Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer),” performed in 2022 by Joshua Sobel on the great 1931/1963 IV/62 Austin organ at Centenary United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem, NC. This is available on YouTube, and 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.

16Oct

Celebration of the Word for the 19th Sunday After Pentecost 2022

Pentecost 19th Sunday 2022
  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: Genesis 32:22-31, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 121, “I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes Unto The Hills” from “Requiem” by Herbert Howells (1892-1983). This was performed in 2013 by Immanuel Congregational Church, available in the public domain at Archive.org.
  5. Second Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5, World English Bible.
  6. Hymn: “Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer”, unknown congregation, in the public domain at Archive.org.
  7. Gospel: Luke 18:1-8, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From the Book of Common Prayer, 1662.
  9. Benediction: From the Book of Common Prayer, 1662.
  10. 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.

09Oct

Celebration for the 18th Sunday after Pentecost 2022

Pentecost 18th Sunday 2022
  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: 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 111, 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: 2 Timothy 2:8-15, World English Bible.
  7. Hymn: “O God Our Help In Ages Past”, public domain.
  8. Gospel: Luke 17:11-19, 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.

02Oct

Celebration of Word and Music for the 17th Sunday after Pentecost 2022

  1. Opening Acclamation: From Psalm 81:1.
  2. Hymn: “Love Divine All Loves Excelling” sung at Hyde Park Union Church, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 37:1-9, King James Version.
  5. Hymn: “Alleluia Sing to Jesus” by Stour Valley Benefice, United Kingdom, August 2021, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  6. Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-14, World English Bible.
  7. 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.
  8. Gospel: Luke 17:5-10, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer from Matthew.
  10. Blessing: 1 Timothy 1:17., World English Bible.
  11. Organ postlude: J. S. Bach (1685–1750), “Präludium a-Moll”, BWV 543, performed by Lucas Pohle at Nikolaikirche Leipzig, 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.

24Sep

Celebration of the Word for the 16th Sunday after Pentecost 2022

Pentecost 16th Sunday 2022
  1. Opening Acclamation: From The Book of Common Prayer, 1662.
  2. Organ Prelude: Abraham van den Kerckhoven (c.1618-1702) “Missa Duplex” opening movement, performed by Jozef SIuys (1936-2015, organ) at CapeIIa Sancti MichaeIis, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: Amos 6:1, 4-7, King James Bible.
  4. Hymn: “When in Our Music God is Glorified”, performed by Immanuel Congregational Church and available in the public domain at Archive.org.
  5. Psalm 146, King James Bible.
  6. Gloria Patri: from George Lay setting of Psalm 42, Performed in 2020 by the choir of the Church of the Good Shepherd, at St. Alban’s Cathedral, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  7. Second Reading: 1 Timothy 6:6-19, World English Bible.
  8. Hymn: “Fairest Lord Jesus”, performed by Immanuel Congrgational Church and available in the public domain at Archive.orge.
  9. Gospel: Luke 16:19-31, World English Bible.
  10. 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.
  11. Blessing: From The Book of Common Prayer, 1662.
  12. Organ postlude: Attributed to Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562–1621), “Toccata”, performed by Ernst Stolz on on Hauptwerk Müller organ Oosterwijtwerd, uploaded to YouTube by “My Years With Early Music”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license..
18Sep

Celebration of the Word for the 15th Sunday after Pentecost 2022

Pentecost 15th Sunday 2022
  1. Call to Worship from Ephesians 1.
  2. 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.
  3. First Reading: Amos 8:4-7, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 113, King James Version.
  5. Hymn: “All Creatures of Our God and King” (verse 1), from the Diane Bish “Joy of Music” program “Hymns of Faith”, Performed at Miller Chapel, Princeton Theological Seminary, Creative Commons.
  6. Second Reading: 1 Timothy 2:1-7, World English Bible.
  7. Hymn: “If You Will Trust In God to Guide Thee.” Sung by Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford. In the Public Domain.
  8. Gospel: Luke 16:1-16, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew 6.
  10. Blessing: From Ephesians 3.
  11. Postlude: Max Reger (1873-1916) “Toccata and Fuge a-moll,” opus 80, performed by Kerstin Wolf on the Beckerath-Orgel in St. Petri, Hamburg, around 2015. 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.

11Sep

Celebration of the Word for the 14th Sunday after Pentecost 2022

Pentecost 14th Sunday 2022
  1. Opening Acclamation: from Psalm 107.
  2. Hymn: “Come, Thou Almighty King”, unknown congregation, available in public domain.
  3. First Reading: Exodus 32:7-14, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 51:1-10, King James Version.
  5. Motet: Orlando de Lassus (1532-1594) “Miserere Mei Deus” performed by Vocal Ensemble Lege in 1999; uploaded to YouTube by Вікторія Джоган, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  6. Second Reading: 1 Timothy 1:12-17, World English Bible.
  7. Organ Sequence: Starling Goodwin (1711-1774), “London Old, Interlude 1”, uploaded to YouTube by Chordis and Organo, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  
  8. Gospel: Luke 15:1-10, 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. Postlude: Nicholaus Bruhns (1665-1697) “Praeludium, e-moll”, performed on Arp Schnitger Orgel at Ganderkesee, by Thorsten Ahlrichs, use 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.

03Sep

Celebration of the Word for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost 2022

Pentecost 13th Sunday 2022
  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: Deuteronomy 30:15-20, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 1, 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: Philemon 1:1-21, World English Bible.
  7. Hymn: “Crown Him with Many Crowns”, public domain.
  8. Gospel: Luke 14:25-33, World English Bible.
  9. Lord’s Prayer: From the Book of Common Prayer 1662.  
  10. Benediction: From the Book of Common Prayer 1662.
  11. 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.

27Aug

Celebration of Word and Music for the 12th Sunday after Pentecost 2022

Pentecost 12 Sunday 2022
  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: Proverbs 25:6-7, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 112, King James Version.
  5. Response: G. F. Handel (1685-1759) “Praise the Lord”, performed in 2012 by “Con Anima” – St. Patricks College Choir. Used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  6. Second Reading: Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, World English Bible.
  7. Organ Sequence: Starling Goodwin (1711-1774), “London New, Interlude 3”, uploaded to YouTube by Chordis and Organo, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: Luke 14:1, 7-14, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: from Matthew 6.
  10. Blessing: 2 Corinthians 13.
  11. 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.