Category: Music

24May

A Brief Celebration of Holy Communion

For those of you who come from traditions that permit the celebration of communion without a priest, we offer this virtual celebration of the Eucharist, or Holy Communion. All baptized Christians are welcome to share with us in this holy mystery. A companion video will be coming shortly. We recommend coming to the table after a time of preparation, such as by listening to one of our “celebration of the word” files, or otherwise engaging in Bible reading, prayer, and confession.

  1. Hymn: “Jesus Paid it All” featuring Greg Kunde, Dean Peterson vocalists and Diane Bish, organ, from a uprogram entitled “The Name of Jesus”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  2. Welcome (Presbyterian):  “This is the Lord’s table. Our Savior invites those who trust him to share the feast which he has prepared.”
  3. Sursum Corda: excerpted from a church service at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Ottawa Canada, 2012, in Community Audio section of Internet Archives.
  4. Sanctus: Mass for 4 voices, by William Byrd, performed by Ensemble Morales, used in accordance with Creative Commons License. Text: “Holy holy holy Lord God of Hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.”
  5. Words of institution: From 1 Corinthians 11
  6. Eucharistic prayer: from Holy Communion Bromley Parish Church 18th March 2020, uploaded to YouTube by James Harratt, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  7. The Lord’s Prayer, from Matthew, King.
  8. Agnus Dei: Mass for 4 voices, by William Byrd, performed by Ensemble Morales, used in accordance with Creative Commons License. Text: “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.  Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us your peace.”
  9. Anthem: Ave verum corpus, by William Byrd. Performed by Ars Mvsica; public domain at Archive.org.  English Translation: “Hail, true Body, born of the Virgin Mary, having truly suffered, sacrificed on the cross for mankind, from whose pierced side water and blood flowed: Be for us a foretaste [of the Heavenly banquet] in the trial of death! O sweet Jesus, O holy Jesus, O Jesus, son of Mary, have mercy on me. Amen”
  10. Post-communion prayer: From a Lenten service Feb 14, 2016 at Saint James Church, Warrenton, VA, on YouTube, used according to Creative Commons License
  11. Musical Postlude: Bach, “I am Standing with One Foot in the Grave” BWV 156; Anonymous performance, public domain.
24May

A Celebration of the Word for the Sunday after Ascension Day, 2020

In celebration of Ascension, I have curated an audio experience of virtual worship, using the surprisingly rich body of materials available in the Public Domain and Creative Commons. Readings correspond to the Revised Common Lectionary.

Ascension Sunday 2020
  1. Prelude: Girolamo Frescobaldi, Canzon quarta, F 8.05c (for Trumpet and Organ), Performed by Michel Rondeau – Aline Letendre, available at MusOpen, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  2. Opening acclamation: Psalm 47:5.
  3. Hymn: “Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise”, Public Domain.
  4. Lesson 1: Acts 1:6-14, World English Bible.
  5. Psalm Psalm 68:1-10 and 32-35, King James Version.
  6. Hymn: “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.” Uploaded to YouTube by
    Christina Igupen, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  7. Lesson 2: 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11, World English Bible.
  8. Gospel: John 17:1-11, 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. Concluding prayer: Stanza 4 of the hymn “As Of Gladness Men of Old”, written by William C. Dix (1837-1898).
  11. Blessing: The Aaronic Blessing from Numbers 6 (King James Version).
  12. Organ postlude: Guillaume Du Fay: Hymn In Ascensione Domini, performed by David Joseph Stith on the organ at First Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
17May

A Celebration of the Word, for the Sixth Sunday of Easter 2020

This little audio file is offered for your edification, and to the glory of God.

Celebration for Easter 6
  1. Opening acclamation: Psalm 51:15
  2. Hymn: “Amazing Grace” for flute, Angela Brown, and organ, Diane Bish, from program entitled “Hymns and Sacred Songs”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  3. Lesson 1: Acts 17:22-31, World English Bible.
  4. Psalm 66:8-20, NET Bible, uploaded to YouTube by “dailyvideobible”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  5. Music: J. S. Bach: Cantata No. 207a: “O Praise the Lord Most Holy”, from a program by Diane Bish entitled “The Many Moods of Bach”, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  6. Lesson 2: 1 Peter 3:13-22 , World English Bible.
  7. Gospel: John 14:15-21, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer
  9. Organ postlude: J.S. Bach, “In Herr Jesu Christ dich zu uns wend, BWV 632”, performed by Aldo Locatelli, in the public domain.
10May

A Celebration of the Word, for the Fifth Sunday of Easter 2020

These readings correspond to the Revised Common Lectionary. I offer this effort to God’s glory and for your enjoyment.

5th week of Easter 2020
  1. Opening acclamation.
  2. Hymn: “Crown him with many crowns” by unknown singers. Public Domain.  From Internet Archive.
  3. First Reading: Acts 7:55-60 (World English Bible).
  4. Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 (King James Version).
  5. Gloria Patri: Excerpted from an audio cassette of a choir festival in Evanston, IL, circa 1993.
  6. Second Reading:  1 Peter 2:2-10 (World English Bible).
  7. Gospel: John 14: 1-14.
  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. Musical postlude: Charles-Marie Widor, Organ Symphony no. 5, Op. 42 no. 1, performer Paul Pittman, in the public domain.  At MusOpen.

I have put this audio file together from public domain sources, mainly LibriVox (for bible readings), MusOpen (for royalty Free Music) and the Community Audio section of the Internet Archives.

03May

A Celebration of the Word, for the Fourth Week of Easter 2020

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.

  1. 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.
  2. First Reading: Acts 2: 42-47, World English Bible.
  3. Psalm 23 “Brother James Air” by unknown artists, uploaded to YouTube by user “mk671tv”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  4. Second Reading: 1 Peter 2: 19-29, World English Bible.
  5. Gospel Reading: John 10: 1-10, World English Bible.
  6. 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.
  7. Closing prayer: Methodist, abbreviated.
  8. Postlude: Heut Triumphiret Gottes Sohn, BWV 630, performed by Aldo Locatelli.
26Apr

A Celebration of the Word, for the Third Sunday of Easter

In praise of God, and for the benefit of any who might find in it a blessing on this day of continuing isolation due to the COVID pandemic, I offer another audio file of scripture readings and music. The readings and music are taken from audio files that are in the public domain. Readings correspond to the Revised Common Lectionary.

Easter 2020 Week 3 Readings
  1. Prelude: Concerto for 2 Trumpets in C major, RV 537, by Antonio Vivaldi, performed by Michael Rondeau. Available at MusOpen.
  2. Reading: Acts 2:14a, 36-41, from the World English Bible, by Librivox.
  3. Hymn: “Thine Be The Glory, Risen Conquering Son (Traditional Easter Hymn)”, From Internet Archives.
  4. Reading: Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19, from the King James Version, by Librivox.
  5. Music: Excerpt from Variations on an American Hymn Tune, by Gordon Young, performed by Paul Pittman. At MusOpen.
  6. The Lord’s Prayer, King James Version
  7. Concluding Prayer: From Church of England.
  8. Choral benediction: C.P. Lutkin. “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.” Performed by “The Major Grooves”. Private file donated by a friend, used with permission.
19Apr

A Service of the Word, for the Second Week of Easter 2020

I have put together another 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 COVID pandemic. The readings and music are taken from audio files that are in the public domain. Readings correspond to the Revised Common Lectionary.

  1. Prelude: Concerto for 2 Trumpets in D Major, by Johann Molter, MWV 6.30 – III. Allegro. From a European Archive, at MusOpen.
  2. Reading: Acts 2:14a, 22-32, from the World English Bible, by Librivox.
  3. Music: Hymn: Alleluia – A joyous Easter Hymn, by Frieda Hempel, Soprano, 1924. From Internet Archives.
  4. Reading: Psalm 16, from the King James Version, by Librivox.
  5. Reading: John 20:19-31, from the World English Bible.
  6. The Lord’s Prayer, World English Bible
  7. Song: “Exultate Deo”, by William Byrd; Internet Archives Community Audio.
  8. Concluding Prayer: St. Richard of Chichester
  9. Music: “Amen”, from Magnificat, fauxbourdon by William Byrd. Sung by the Choir of St. Thomas Church 5th Avenue.
  10. Postlude, Organ work: JS Bach, “Christ lag in Todesbanden”, performed by Aldo Locatelli, at MusOpen.
12Apr

A Brief Celebration of Easter

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.

Easter Readings 2020
  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).

01Jul

Saving the Rebel

Quite by chance today I heard an interesting juxtaposition of two beautiful pieces of music. One, the haunting “When David Heard” by Thomas Tompkins, recalls the moment when Israel’s King David learns of the death of his son Absalom, killed as he was leading a rebellion against his own father. David, though spared, nevertheless cries out in agony, “O Absalom, my son! Would God I had died for thee.”

The other piece of music was an organ work by Johann Sebastian Bach, his Passacaglia and Fugue In C minor. The passacaglia was a Spanish dance form elevated to major effect by the Baroque master. This particular piece consists of a theme and 20 variations (or 21 variations comprising 7 sets of three, per French organist Marie-Claire Alain; this is a point of debate). The theme and variations—the Passacaglia— are then followed by a fugue upon the opening theme.

Though wordless, it is thought that Bach was using musical symbolism to express his deep Christian faith. Disagreement exists on how exactly one should interpret the piece, but the cross of Jesus is generally seen in the pattens tumbling forth from the notes. For example, Australian organist David Rumsey noted the following regarding the dramatic “Neapolitan Sixth” that marks a major pause in the middle of the piece:

“By extension we may therefore deduce that the Neapolitan Sixth at the end of section four of the Passacaglia strongly suggests “crucifixion”. Applied specifically to the Passacaglia we see the relationship to the climax of the New Covenant: the sacrifice of the Messiah.” (David Rumsey, 1992. “THE SYMBOLS OF THE BACH PASSACAGLIA”. Accessed online at http://www.davidrumsey.ch/Passacaglia.pdf)

The meaning of the crucifixion for Christians is summarized by St. Paul: “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:10)

The connection between these two stories that grabbed me was this. In the one instance the rebel died that the king may live. In the second instance, the King died that the rebel may live.

11Jun

In Honor of Pentecost: Veni Sancte Spiritus

sung by the choir of Notre Dame de Paris. Organ – Pierre Cochereau


Come, Holy Spirit,
send forth the heavenly
radiance of your light.

Come, father of the poor,
come, giver of gifts,
come, light of the heart.

Greatest comforter,
sweet guest of the soul,
sweet consolation.

In labour, rest,
in heat, temperance,
in tears, solace.

O most blessed light,
fill the inmost heart
of your faithful.

Without your spirit,
there is nothing in man,
nothing that is not harmful.

Cleanse that which is unclean,
water that which is dry,
heal that which is wounded.

Bend that which is inflexible,
fire that which is chilled,
correct what goes astray.

Give to your faithful,
those who trust in you,
the sevenfold gifts.

Grant the reward of virtue,
grant the deliverance of salvation,
grant eternal joy.