Brother James’ Airs

Lighting a torch in the darkness

Category: Music

25Aug

Celebration of the Word for the 14th Sunday after Pentecost, 2024

Pentecost, Year B, Proper 16
  1. Opening sentence: Psalm 81:1.
  2. Organ hymn: “Let the Whole Creation Cry”, in the public domain at Archive.org.
  3. Lesson 1: Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18, King James Version of the Bible.
  4. Psalm 34:15-22.
  5. Gloria Patri: By Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741), performed by Patricia Janečková at the Inauguration of the Renovated Organ of the Church of Saint Adalbert in Opava in 2020, available on YouTube and used in accordance with Creative Commons License. Text in English: “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, Amen.“
  6. Lesson 2: Ephesians 6:10-20, World English Bible.
  7. Organ interlude: “The Church’s One Foundation”, public domain.
  8. Gospel: John 6:56-69, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer, and Benediction: From the Book of Common Prayer, 1662.
  10. Organ postlude: “Improvization on Cwm Rhonda” by Eric Sobel, played on the great organ of Centenary United Methodist Church, Winston-Salem, NC; used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
19Aug

13th Sunday after Pentecost 2024

In many churches, this Sunday (or a day near it) is set aside to honor Mary, the mother of Jesus. While keeping the usual lectionary readings for this Sunday, I have nonetheless added in some music from the rich tradition of celebrating Mary. Enjoy.

  1. Opening Acclamation: from Psalm 51
  2. First Reading: Proverbs 9:1-6.
  3. Anthem: Pascale Colasse (1649-1709), “Beata Es Maria”, uploaded to YouTube by “L Jeanne”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  4. Psalm 34:9-14, King James Version.
  5. Gloria Patri: Excerpted from Puer Natus Est, sung at the Abbey of St. Martin of Ligugé, uploaded to YouTube by “Musique Sacree”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  6. Second Reading: Ephesians 5:15-20, World English Bible.
  7. Hymn: Anthem: William Byrd (1540-1623), “Ave Virgo Sanctissima”, sung by Ars Mvsica. In the public domain, at Archive.org.  Translation: “Hail, Holy Virgin, most blessed Mother of God, bright star of the sea. Hail, ever glorious, precious pearl, lovely as the lily, beautiful and perfumed as the rose.”
  8. Gospel: John 6:51-58, World English Bible.
  9. Lord’s Prayer (latin): Sung by the Tudor Consort. Public domain.   
  10. Blessing: 2 Corinthians 13.
  11. Postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) “Art of Fugue Contrapunctus 1”. Performed by Benjamin Alard on the organ of l’église d’Arques-la-Bataille; 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.

10Aug

Celebration for the 12th Sunday after Pentecost

  1. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 107.
  2. Organ Prelude: Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621) “A Ricercare” performed
    by Mark Anthony LaMort on Hauptwerk organ, St. Maxamin sample set by
    Sonus Paradisi, uploaded to YouTube by aml5321 and used in accordance
    with Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: 1 Kings 19:4-8, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 34:1-8: King James Bible.
  5. Second Reading: Ephesians 4:25-5:2, World English Bible.
  6. Organ sequence: “I Heard The Voice of Jesus Say” performed by Rainer Schulz
    at St. Peter’s Church in Leutershausen, used in accordance with Creative
    Commons license.
  7. Gospel: John 6:35, 41-51, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.
  9. Benediction from Ephesians 3.
  10. Postlude: Louis-Nicolas Clérambault (1676-1749) “Caprice sur les Grands Jeux”
    from “Suite du Deuxième Ton, Premier Livre d’Orgue” Performed on the
    organ of Cattedrale di Cozensa, Italy. Uploaded to YouTube by “Duomo di
    Santa Maria Assunta”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.

04Aug

Celebration for the 11th Sunday after Pentecost 2024

  1. Prelude: Heinrich Scheidemann (ca. 1595-1663): Praeambulum in G, performed on the organ of Reformierten Kirche in Uttum, uploaded to YouTube by Jens Engel, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  2. Opening Acclamation: from Psalm 95:6
  3. First Reading: Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15, King James Version.
  4. Psalm 78:23-29, King James Version.
  5. Hymn: “Guide me O Thou Great Redeemer”, in the Public Domain at Archive.org.
  6. Second Reading: Ephesians 4:1-16, World English Bible.
  7. Organ Sequence: Eugene Gigout (1844-1925), excerpt from “Album grègorien: Tranquilo”, uploaded to YouTube by chordis & organo, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: John 6:24-35, 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. Organ Postlude: Eugene Gigout : Toccata in B major, performed by Joshua Sobel at the Edenton St UMC Church, Raleigh, NC, 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.

27Jul

Celebration of the Word for the 10th Sunday of Pentecost 2024

  1. Prelude: Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625): Fantasia on the 3rd Tone (MB10) performed by David Joseph Stith on the organ at First Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas. Uploaded to YouTube by “stripedgazelle” and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  2. Opening Acclamation: from Psalm 95
  3. First Reading: 2 Kings 4:42-44, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 145:10-18, King James Version.
  5. Hymn: “O God of Bethel By Whose Hand” performed at Chatauqua, NY in 1992, uploaded to YouTube by YueckertFred, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  6. Second Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21, World English Bible.
  7. Organ Sequence: Eugene Gigout (1844-1925), “Album grègorien: Tranquilo”, uploaded to YouTube by chordis & organo, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: John 6:1-21, World English Bible.
  9. “Lord Have Mercy” sung by Stour Valley Benefice, Creative Commons license.
  10. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew 6.
  11. Blessing: From Jude
  12. Postlude: John Stanley (1712-1786), “Trumpet Voluntary” Played and recorded live at St. Jakobus major, Schrobenhausen (DE), on MöchtegernPianists & Woody/mC’s “Organ Funday”, uploaded to YouTube by “WoodyMC” and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.

The Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain. Readings correspond the Revised Common Lectionary.

21Jul

Celebration of the Word for the 9th Sunday after Pentecost 2024

  1. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 81.
  2. Anthem: Sergei Rachmaninoff – “Priidite, poklonimsya” (“O come, let us worship”) sung by University of Warsaw Choir in a live recording from the “Vivat Academia” competition held by the Warsaw University of Technology on 18th April 2015.  Used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 23: James Leith Macbeth Bain, “Brother James’ Air”, sung by an unknown choir, uploaded to Youtube in 2020 by “mk671vlogs”, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  5. Second Reading: Ephesians 2:11-22, World English Bible.
  6. Hymn: “Be Thou My Vision”, 1st verse, sung at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, uploaded to YouTube by “Ad te levavi animam meam”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  7. Gospel: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, 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: 1 Timothy.
  10. Postlude: J. S. Bach (1685-1750) “Fantasia and fugue in C Minor” BWV 537. Performed by David Schaller; Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
13Jul

Celebration of the 8th Sunday after Pentecost 2024

  1. Opening Acclamation: Ephesians 1.
  2. Prelude: 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.
  3. First Lesson: Amos 7:7-15 (King James Version)
  4. Psalm 85:8-13, King James Version.
  5. Gloria Patri, excerpted from Tomas Luis da Victoria (1548-1611), “Magnificat” performed by Ars Mvsica, in the public domain at Archive.org.
  6. Second Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14, World English Bible.
  7. Organ music: “Come, thou fount of Every Blessing”, performed by Diane Bish at First Presbyterian Church of Naples, Florida. Used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  8. Gospel: Mark 6:14-29, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer, from the Book of Luke, King James Bible.
  10. Blessing: 2 Corinthians 13.
  11. Motet: Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625), “Almighty and Everlasting God”. Public domain at Archive.org. Text: Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth thy right hand to help and defend us, through Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain. Readings correspond the the Revised Common Lectionary.

07Jul

Celebration of the Word for the 7th Sunday after Pentecost 2024

  1. Prelude: “America the beautiful”, by the U.S. Army Band, in the public domain at Archive.org.
  2. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 51.
  3. First Lesson: Ezekiel 2:1-5.
  4. Hymn: Amazing Grace, for Trombone Choir. Public domain at Archive.org.
  5. Psalm 123, King James Version.
  6. Gloria Patri, instrumental (piano), uploaded to YouTube by Christina Iqupen, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  7. Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, World English Bible.
  8. Hymn: “Take, O Take Me As I AM”, sung by Immanuel Congregational Church, 2013. In the public domain at Archive.org.
  9. Gospel: Mark 6:1-13, World English Bible.
  10. The Lord’s Prayer: Earl Killian. Used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  11. Blessing: 2 Corinthians 13.
  12. Choral amen. Public domain at Archive.org.
  13. Postlude: “America the beautiful”, performed on guitar, uploaded to Archive.org by Rick Zerndt; In the public domain.  

Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain. Readings correspond the the Revised Common Lectionary.

30Jun

Celebration of the Word for the 6th Sunday of Pentecost

  1. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 51.
  2. Organ Prelude: Alexandre Guilmant (1837-1911), Prelude from Third Sonata for Organ. Performed at Immanuel Congregational Church, Harford in Nov 2012, in the Public domain at Archive.org.
  3. First Reading: Lamentations 3:22-33, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm: Heinrich Schütz (1615–1672) “Ihr Heiligen, lobsinget dem Herren” SWV 288. Singers: Paulina Bielarczyk and Sylwia Ziółkowska; Organ: Wacław Golonka, used in Accordance with Creative Commons License. Translation (Psalm 30:4-6): “You holy ones, sing praise to the Lord, be grateful and praise his glory, Because his anger lasts but a moment, and he has joy in life. During the night the weeping endures, but in the morning comes joy.”
  5. Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 8: 7-15, World English Bible.
  6. Organ sequence: Starling Goodwin – Interlude 2, on the organ of the church of St Mary, Bermondsey, uploaded to YouTube by chordis & organo, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  7. Gospel: Mark 5:21-43, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: Matthew 6.
  9. Blessing: 2 Corinthians 13.
  10. Amen: JS Bach (1685-1750), “Amen” BWV 1083 by Ensemble Imero. Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.

Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain.

23Jun

Celebration of the Word for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

  1. Opening Acclamation: from Psalm 118
  2. Prelude: “Eternal Father Strong To Save” (Instrumental), by U.S. Navy Band; Public Domain.
  3. First Reading: Job 38: 1-11, King James Bible.
  4. Hymn: “Eternal Father Strong To Save” (Navy Hymn), sung by U.S. Navy Band; Public Domain.
  5. Psalm 107: 1-3, 23-32, King James Version.
  6. Gloria Patri: From a live service at the First Presbyterian Church of Wolcott. Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  7. Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 6: 1-13, World English Bible.
  8. Hymn: “Be Still My Soul” from the Joy of Music with Diane Bish, Program 9803-“Hymns and Sacred Songs”, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  9. Gospel: Mark 4:35-41 World English Bible.
  10. 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.
  11. Praise to God: from 1 Timothy 1:17.
  12. Postlude: Sweelink “Mein junges leben hat ein end” performed by Jarle Fagerheim at Skien parish church in 2011. 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.  The two versions of the Navy Hymn can be found at The Internet Archive.