Category: Music

Second Sunday of Easter 2021
  • Call to Worship: From Psalm 118.
  • Prelude: Concerto for 2 Trumpets in D Major, by Johann Molter, MWV 6.30 – III. Allegro. From a European Archive, at MusOpen.
  • First Reading: Acts 4:32-35, World English Bible.
  • Psalm 133, KJV with background music, uploaded to YouTube by “Book of Psalms” and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.   
  • Hymn: “The Strife is O’er The Battle Won”, Choir of Ss Simon and Jude Cathedral, Pheonix, in 2013, by “ad te levavi”, available in Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons License.
  • Second Reading: I John 1:1-2:2, 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.

  • Gospel reading: John 20:19-31, World English Bible.
  • The Lord’s Prayer: From the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.
  • Blessing:  From Second Corinthians.
  • 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 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.

I have put together an audio file of readings and music, offered in praise of God and for the benefit of any who might find in it a blessing on this day of ongoing isolation due to the pandemic. The readings and music are taken from audio files that are in the public domain.

  1. Prelude: Concerto for 2 Trumpets in D Major, by Johann Molter, MWV 6.30. From a European Archive, at MusOpen.
  2. Reading: Acts 10: 34-43, from the World English Bible, by Librivox.
  3. Music: Te Deum, Orchestral, by Marc Antoine Charpentier; unknown performers, available from Community Audio section of the Internet Archive.
  4. Reading: Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24, from the King James Version, by Librivox.
  5. Reading: John 20:1-20, from the World English Bible.
  6. The Lord’s Prayer, World English Bible
  7. Concluding Prayer
  8. Music: “Amen”, from Magnificat, by Jan Dismas Zelenka; Performed by the Prague Choral Society, at MusOpen (linked above).

(Reposted from April 2020)

Good Friday 2021
  1. 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.
  2. First Reading: Isaiah 52:13-53:12, King James Bible.
  3. 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.
  4. Psalm 22 from the King James Bible.
  5. 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.
  6. Second Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, World English Bible.
  7. 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.
  8. A Reading of the Passion Narrative from John 18:1–19:42, World English Bible.
  9. 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.

Palm Sunday 2021
  1. 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.
  2. First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a, King James Bible.
  3. Psalm 31:9-16 
  4. Second Reading: Philippians 2:5-11, World English Bible.
  5. Hymn: “O Sacred Head Now Wounded”, Immanuel Congregational Church in 2013, available in the public domain at Archive.org.
  6. A Reading of the Passion Narrative from Mark 14:1–15:47, World English Bible.
  7. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
  8. Blessing: The “Aaronic blessing” From Deuteronomy.

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.

5th Sunday of Lent 2021
  1. Call to Worship: From Psalm 51.
  2. Response: “Lord Have Mercy”, from “Wednesday Vespers – Sanctified 2018 Tacoma”, uploaded to YouTube by Pacific Lutheran University, and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  3. First Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 51
  5. Second Reading: Hebrews 5:5-10, World English Bible.
  6. Hymn: “Ah Holy Jesus”, Immanuel Congregational Church in 2013, available in the public domain at Archive.org.
  7. Gospel: John 12:20-33, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew.
  9. Blessing:  From Second Corinthians.
  10. Grigorio Allegri (1582-1652) “Miserere Mei”, performed by Trinity College Dublin, in public domain at Archive.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.

4th Sunday of Lent 2021
  1. Opening Sentence: From Isaiah 66:10.
  2. Hymn: “Holy God, Holy Almighty, Holy Immortal One, Have Mercy” (Trisagion), From OrthodoxMusicOnline, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  
  3. First Reading: Numbers 21:4-9, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22, King James Version.
  5. Second Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10, World English Bible.
  6. Hymn: “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God”, Faith United Presbyterian Church, 2015, in the public domain at Archive.org.
  7. Gospel: John 3:14-21, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
  9. Blessing:  From Numbers.
  10. Organ Postlude:  Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707) “Toccata in D, BuxWV 144,” performed by Tigran Buniatyan on the Flentrop opus 1974 organ, 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.

3rd Sunday of Lent 2021
  1. Call to Worship: From Psalm 51.
  2. Introit: Antonio Lotti (1667-1740) “Kyrie” from Missa (4V C maj), by unkown choir, uploaded to YouTube by “Free Music Tube”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: Exodus 20:1-17, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 19: 1-8, King James Version.
  5. Hymn: “O Worship The King” sung by the Choir of Pilgrim Mennonite Mission in 2015, uploaded to YouTube by Bhepure Isidoro, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  6. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, World English Bible.
  7. Organ interlude: “Jesus, Lover of My Soul”, played by Diane Bish on the organ of Gloucester Cathedral, excerpted from “The Joy of Music: Hymns and Sacred Songs from Word of God”, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  8. Gospel: John 2:13-22, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew.
  10. Blessing:  From 2 Corinthians 13.
  11. Organ Postlude:  Joseph Rheinberger () “Fughetta in c-minor no.2” op. 123A. Played by Joey Wetzels on the Vermeulen organ (1955) St. Martinuskerk Tegelen, uploaded to YouTube by Joey Wetzels, 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.

Second Sunday of Lent 2021
  1. Introit and organ prelude: André Raison (c.1640-1719) – Messe du 3º Ton – “Kyrie eleison” (Lord, Have Mercy), performed by Jean-Patrice Brosse (orgue) and Ensemble Vox Cantoris; uploaded to YouTube by “Pau NG” and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  2. First Reading: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, King James Bible.
  3. Psalm 22:23-31, King James Version.
  4. Hymn: “The God of Abraham Praise”, sung in a live service in 2017 at the shrine of the National Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  5. Second Reading: Roman 4:13-25, World English Bible.
  6. Organ interlude: Henry Coleman (1888-1965): Excerpt from “The Word of God”, Posted by “Chordis & Organo, and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  7. Gospel: Mark 8:31-38, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
  9. Blessing: The “Aaronic blessing” from Numbers 6.
  10. Organ Postlude:  Johann Gottfried Walther (1684-1748) “Herzlich tut mich verlangen / O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden” performed by Jens Engel, uploaded to YouTube by him, 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.

First Sunday of Lent 2021
  1. Hymn: “Holy God, Holy Almighty, Holy Immortal One, Have Mercy” (Trisagion), From OrthodoxMusicOnline, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  2. First Reading: Genesis 9:8-17, King James Bible.
  3. Anthem: Henry Purcell (1659-1695) “Remember Not O Lord Our Offenses”, unknown choir, available in public domain at Archive.org.
  4. Psalm 25: 1-10, King James Version.
  5. Anthem: Psalm 25 v 6, sung by Northern Presbytery Choir, uploaded to YouTube by Sean McPherson, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  6. Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22, World English Bible.
  7. Organ interlude: Henry Coleman (1888-1965): Excerpt from “The Word of God”, Posted by “Chordis & Organo, and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  8. Gospel: Mark 1:9-15, 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: From Romans.
  11. Organ Postlude:  Girolamo Alessandro Frescobaldi (1583 – 1643) “Canzona Post Il Comune”, performed by Joshua Sobel, uploaded to YouTube by him, 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.

Transfiguration Sunday 2021
  1. Opening acclamation: from Psalm 50.
  2. Hymn: “Crown Him with Many Crowns”, Public domain.
  3. First Reading: 2 Kings 2: 1-12, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 50: 1-6, King James Version.
  5. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 4:3-6, World English Bible.
  6. Hymn: “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind”, Stanza 5. From a 2012 recording by Immanuel UCC Hartford, available in the public domain at Archive.org.
  7. Gospel: Mark 9:2-9, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
  9. Blessing:  The Aaronic Blessing from Numbers 6.
  10. Organ Postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) “Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern” BWV 739, performed by Thorston Ahlrichs on Christian Vater Orgel (1722) in Bockhorn, St. Cosmas und Damian, 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.