Category: Music

19Jul

A Celebration for the 7th Sunday after Pentecost 2020

  1. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 51.
  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: Isaiah 44:6-8, World English Bible.
  4. Psalm 86:11-17, King James Version.
  5. Gloria Patri, excerpted from William Byrd (c. 1540-1623), “Nunc Dimimtis, Tone I in Faburdon”, from St. Thomas Church, 5th Avenue webcast circa 2012. (Fair Use).
  6. Second Reading: Romans 8:12-25, World English Bible.
  7. 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.
  8. Gospel: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke 11.
  10. Blessing: 2 Corinthians 13.
  11. 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.  

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

12Jul

Celebration of the Word, for the 6th Sunday after Pentecost 2020

6th Sunday after Pentecost 2020
  1. Anthem: Christopher Tye (1505-1572), “O Come, Ye Servants of the Lord.” Performed by the Vespercantorij of the Groningen Student Church during Vespers in the Martini Church of Groningen, Netherlands, May 29, 2011.  Uploaded to YouTube by “niekdd” and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  2. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 51.
  3. First Reading: Isaiah 55:10-13, World English Bible.
  4. Psalm 65:1-13, King James Version.
  5. Gloria Patri, excerpted from Herbert Brewer (1865-1928), “Magnificat in D”, sung by “The Consort”, members of St John the Evangelist, Redhill, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  6. Second Reading: Romans 8:1-11, World English Bible.
  7. Organ Sequence: Starling Goodwin – London New — Interlude 3, uploaded to YouTube by “chordis & organo”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke 11.
  10. Blessing: 2 Corinthians 13.
  11. Amen: Extracted from William Byrd (c. 1540-1623), “Siderum rector, Deus alme, nostris”, from St. Thomas Church, 5th Avenue, webcast circa 2012. (Fair Use)
  12. Postlude: Georg Böhm (1661-1733), Extract from Partita “Freu dich sehr, o meine Seele”, performed by Benjamin Alard on the 1694 organ at St. Sixtus und Sinicius’s church in Hohenkirchen, Germany. 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.

05Jul

Celebration of the Word, for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost 2020

Celebration for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost 2020
  1. Prelude: “America the beautiful”, by the U.S. Army Band, in the public domain at Archive.org.
  2. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 51.
  3. Music (Standing in place of Old Testament Scripture: Zechariah 9:9-12): “Rejoice Greatly, O Daughters of Zion”. From G.F. Handel’s “Messiah”, uploaded to YouTube by Eben Visher, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  4. Psalm 145:8-14, King James Version.
  5. Gloria Patri, instrumental (piano), uploaded to YouTube by Christina Iqupen, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  6. Second Reading: Romans Romans 7:15-25, World English Bible.
  7. Hymn: “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?”, verse 1, excerpted from a live service at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, NYC, in 2013.
  8. Gospel: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: Earl Killian. Used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  10. Blessing: 2 Corinthians 13.
  11. 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.

28Jun

Celebration of the Word for the 4th Sunday after Pentecost 2020

  1. Organ Prelude: Alexandre Guilmant (1837-1911), Prelude from Third Sonata for Organ. Performed at Immanuel Congregational Church, Harford in Nov 2012, in Public domain at Archive.org.
  2. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 51.
  3. First Reading: Jeremiah 28:5-9, World English Bible.
  4. Hymn: “To Thee O Lord be Glory Given”, Public domain.
  5. Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18, King James Version.
  6. Gloria Patri, excerpted from “Venite Sunday Matins”, uploaded to YouTube by Pearce Singers, fair use.
  7. Second Reading: Romans 6:12-23, World English Bible.
  8. 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.
  9. Gospel: Matthew 10:40-42, World English Bible.
  10. The Lord’s Prayer: Matthew 6.
  11. Blessing: 2 Corinthians 13.
  12. 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.

21Jun

Celebration of the Word for the Third Sunday after Pentecost.

  1. Opening Acclamation from Psalm 118.
  2. Hymn: “Nearer My God To Thee”, performed on guitar, by NOH DONGHWAN, Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: Jeremiah, World English Bible.
  4. Psalm 69: 7-18, King James Version.
  5. Gloria Patri, from Wednesday Vespers – Sanctified 2018 Tacoma, uploaded to YouTube by Pacific Lutheran University, and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  6. Second Reading: Romans 6:1-11, World English Bible.
  7. Organ sequence: Starling Goodwin — Old 100th — Interlude 2, uploaded to Youtube by chordis & organo, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: Matthew 10:24-39, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer (sung): From Vespers according to the Brotherhood Prayer Bood, sung at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, IN, and uploaded to YouTube by Benjamin Mayes, and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  10. Closing prayer: From the Australian Prayer Book.
  11. Hymn: “Take my Life and Let it Be”, by Vallejo Drive SDA Church, 2017, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  12. Blessing: The Aaronic Blessing from Numbers 6 (King James Version).
  13. Organ Postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) “Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten” (He who allows dear God to rule), BWV 691, played on 1531 organ at the Mariakerk in Kreward, Netherlands, uploaded by Jon Liinason; Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.

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

14Jun

Celebration of the Word for the Sunday after Corpus Christi, 2020

Corpus Christi 2020
  1. Prelude: Antonio Cabezon (1510-1556), “Pange Lingua” performed by organist Riyehee Hong at Santa Iglesia Cathedral, Murcia, Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  2. Opening Acclamation from John 6: “I am the bread of life.”
  3. First Reading: Exodus 19:2-8, World English Bible.
  4. Psalm: Old 100th. Washington National Cathedral Singers, performed in 2015, used in accordance with Creative Commons license. The organ overpowers the singing at times, so here is the text: “All people that on earth do dwell, sing to the Lord with cheerful voice. Serve him with joy, his praises tell, come now before him and rejoice! Know that the Lord is God indeed; he formed us all without our aid. We are the flock he surely feeds, the sheep who by his hand were made. O enter then his gates with joy, within his courts his praise proclaim! Let thankful songs your tongues employ. O bless and magnify his name! Because the Lord our God is good, his mercy is forever sure. His faithfulness at all times stood and shall from age to age endure.”
  5. Second Reading: Romans 5: 1-8, World English Bible.
  6. Motet: William Byrd (1539/40-1623), “O quam suavis est”, performed by Ars Musica, available in Public Domain at Archive.org.  Translation: “O how sweet is thy spirit, Lord, thou who, in order to demonstrate thy sweetness to thy children, send down from heaven the sweetest bread unsurpassed, filling the hungry with good things, sending away empty the disdainful rich!”
  7. Gospel: Matthew 9:35-10:23, World English Bible.
  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. Organ Postlude: Matías Aliaga López (1825-1865), “Pange Lingua” performed by organist Riyehee Hong at Santa Iglesia Cathedral, Murcia, Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.

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

07Jun

Celebration of the Word for Trinity Sunday 2020

May this brief service of word and music, dedicated to the glory of God, be a blessing to you this day.

  1. Opening Acclamation and Prelude: “Holy Holy Holy” by Diane Bish, organist, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  2. Lesson 1: Genesis 1:1-2:4, World English Bible.
  3. Psalm 8. King James Version.
  4. Gloria Patri: From “Adoremus in aeternum and psalm” uploaded to YouTube by UKOrdinariate, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  5. Lesson 2: 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, World English Bible.
  6. Hymn: “All Creatures of Our God and King”, Verse 1. Sung by Notre Dame Liturgical Choir, 2017, uploaded to YouTube by ad te levavi, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  7. Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew 6, King James Version.
  9. Closing blessing
  10. Amen: From the Magnificat by Orlando Gibbons, excerpted from a live service sung by the Choir of St. Thomas Fifth Avenue in May 2011. (Fair use).
  11. Organ postlude: Canzona ‘La Foresta”

31May

Pentecost Sunday 2020

This celebration of the word consists of readings corresponding to the Revised Common Lectionary, and music appropriate to the occasion. Pentecost is the “50th day” after the feast of Passover, and was the occasion of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles.

  1. Prelude: J.S. Bach, “Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist” (“Come, God Creator, Holy Ghost”), performed by Aldo Locatelli, public domain.
  2. Opening acclamation, Psalm 51:15.
  3. Lesson 1: Acts 2:1-21 World English Bible.
  4. Music: Thomas Tallis: “Loquebantur, Varii Linguis.”  Performed by the Tudor Consort, available in Public Domain.  Translation: “The Apostles spoke in many languages of the great works of God, as the Holy Spirit gave them the gift of speech, alleluia. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak.”
  5. Psalm 104:24-34, 35b.
  6. Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 12:3-13, World English Bible.
  7. Gospel: John 17:1-11, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew 6.
  9. Closing Prayer (sung): “Spirit of the Living God”, sung by the congregation of Faith United Methodist Church in South Burlington, Vermont on Pentecost Sunday 2014, used in accordance with Creative Commons License
  10. Blessing: The Aaronic Blessing from Numbers 6 (King James Version).
  11. Organ postlude: “Veni Creator Spiritus” by Rien van Binnendijk at Esztergom, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
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.