Category: Music

12Mar

A Ceremony of the Word for the Third Sunday of Lent 2023

Lent 3rd Sunday 2023
  1. Call to Worship.
  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 17:1-7, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 63: 1-8, King James Version.
  5. Hymn: “O Worship the King,” in the public domain at archive.org.
  6. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, 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: Luke 13:1-9, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer and benediction: Book of Common Prayer, 1662; in the public domain at Librivox.org.
  10. Organ Postlude:  Joseph Rheinberger (1839-1901) “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.

04Mar

A Ceremony of the Word for the 2nd Sunday of Lent

Lent Second Sunday 2023
  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 12: 1-4, King James Bible.
  3. Psalm 121: Setting by Herbert Howells (1892-1983) from his Requiem. Performed by Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford, CT in 2013. This audio file is in the public domain at Archive.org.
  4. Second Reading: Romans 4: 1-5, 13-17, World English Bible.
  5. 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.
  6. Gospel: John 3:1-17, World English Bible.
  7. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew.
  8. Blessing: The “Aaronic blessing” from Numbers 6.
  9. 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.

25Feb

Ceremony of Readings and Music for the First Sunday of Lent

Lent 1st Sunday 2023
  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 2:15-17; 3:1-7, King James Bible.
  3. Psalm Psalm 32, King James Version.
  4. Anthem: Henry Purcell (1659-1695) “Remember Not O Lord Our Offenses”, unknown choir, available in public domain at Archive.org.
  5. Second Reading: Romans 5:12-19, World English Bible.
  6. Hymn: “40 Days and 40 Nights”, by Stour Valley Benefice, United Kingdom, 2021, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  7. Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11, 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: From Romans.
  10. 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.

18Feb

Celebration of the Word for Transfiguration Sunday 2023

Transfiguration Sunday 2022
  1. Opening acclamation: Psalm 27:1.
  2. Hymn: “O Worship the King”, Uploaded to YouTube by “bhepure isidoro”; Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: Exodus 24:12-18, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 2, King James Version.
  5. Music interlude: Claude Goudimel (c. 1520-1572) “Psalm 2” for organ and cello, performed on the Reformed Municipality of Hardinxveld-Giessendam – Bätz-Witte organ (1875), and uploaded to YouTube by “Cees en Sander”, 2021; used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  6. Second Reading: 2 Peter 1:16-21, World English Bible.
  7. 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.
  8. Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
  10. Blessing:  The Aaronic Blessing from Numbers 6.
  11. 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.

12Feb

Celebration of the Word for the 6th Sunday of Epiphany 2023

Epiphany 6th Sunday 2023
  1. Opening Sentence: From the Book of Common Prayer 1662.
  2. Hymn: “Guide me O Thou Great Redeemer,” in the public domain.
  3. First Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 119:1-8, King James Bible.
  5. Gloria Patri: Excerpted from “Magnificat” by Tomas Luis de Victoria (1548-1611), performed by Ars Mvsica, in the public domain at Archive.org.
  6. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, World English Bible.  
  7. Hymn: “Blessed Assurance” verse 1, performed by Sung Sook Lee, Soprano, and Diane Bish, organ; from “Joy of Music” episode 9601: “Hymns from Sweden”. 
  8. Gospel: Matthew 5:21-37, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From the Book of Common Prayer 1662.
  10. Blessing: From the Book of Common Prayer 1662.
  11. Organ postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) “Fantasia and Fugue in G minor,” BWV 542. played on Hauptwerk Marcussen/Rotterdam, uploaded to YouTube by “Shortfinger’s Organ 숏핑거 오르간 연주”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.

The Bible and Book of Common Prayer 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.

04Feb

Celebration of the Word for the 5th Sunday after Epiphany 2023

Epiphany 5th Sunday 2023
  1. Opening acclamation: from Phillippians.
  2. Anthem: William Byrd (1543-1623) “Exultate Deo” sung by Drake University Chamber Choir, available in the public domain on Archive.org. Translation: Rejoice unto God our helper, sing aloud unto the God of Jacob. Take a psalm and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant psaltery with the harp. Blow the trumpet in the new moon, on the noted day of your solemnity. 
  3. First Reading: Isaiah 58:1-12, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 112:1-10, King James Version.
  5. Hymn: “O God Beyond All Praising” by Stour Valley Benefice, United Kingdom, 2021, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  6. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16 World English Bible.
  7. “Alleluia” from “OrthodoxMusicOnline”, with David Dillock, conductor, uploaded to YouTube in 2012 and used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: Mathew 5:13-20, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew 6.
  10. Blessing:  2 Corinthians.
  11. Organ Postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) “Vivace”-from Trio Sonata No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 526, performed in 2018 on the organ of Minoritenkirche Linz/Donau, by Magdalena Hasibeder, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
02Feb

A Motet by Thomas Tallis In Honor of Candlemas

“Videte Miraculum” by Thomas Tallis

This piece was published in 1575 by the English composer Thomas Tallis, as choral polyphony alternating with a solo, based on a Gregorian chant. The piece is intended as a matins responsory for the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, known also as “Candlemas” in England.

Latin Text: Videte miraculum matris Domini:
concepit virgo virilis ignara consortii,
stans onerata nobili onere Maria;
et matrem se laetam cognoscit,
quae se nescit uxorem.
Haec speciosum forma prae filiis hominum
castis concepit visceribus,
et benedicta in aeternum
Deum nobis protulit et hominem.
Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto.

English Translation: “Behold the miracle of the mother of the Lord:
a virgin has conceived though she knows not a man,
Mary, who stands laden with her noble burden;
knowing not that she is a wife,
she rejoices to be a mother.
She has conceived in her chaste womb
one who is beautiful beyond the sons of men,
and blessed for ever,
she has brought forth God and man for us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.”

28Jan

Celebration of the Word for the Fourth Sunday of Epiphany 2023

Epiphany 4th Sunday 2023
  1. Opening acclamation: Psalm 81:1.
  2. Organ Prelude: Thomas Attwood (1765-1838): “Sonatina in G”, played by Joey Wetzels on a klais organ from 1931, uploaded to YouTube by “Joey Wetzels” and used in accordance with Creative Commons license. 
  3. First Reading: Micah 6:1-8, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 15, King James Version.
  5. Hymn: “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty the King of Creation”, Public domain.
  6. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, World English Bible.
  7. Anthem: William Byrd (1543-1623): “”I Have Longed For Thy Saving Health” performed in 2018 by First Congregational Church of LA under Dr. David Harris, Music Director and Dr. Christoph Bull, organist, uploaded to YouTube by FCCLA and used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer, from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.
  10. Blessing: from Romans.
  11. Organ Postlude: William Harris (1883-1973) “Postlude in G” from a live service at Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford in 2012, Public Domain.

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.

21Jan

A Celebration of the Word for the 3rd Sunday of Epiphany 2023

Epiphany 3rd Sunday 2023
  1. Opening acclamation: Ephesians 1.
  2. Organ Prelude: Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707): “Praeludium and Fuge” BuxWV 147, ernst stolz Hauptwerk Müller organ Oosterwijtwerd, uploaded to YouTube by “My Years With Early Music” and used in accordance with Creative Commons license. 
  3. First Reading: Isaiah 9:1-4, King James Bible.
  4. Hymn: “O God Our Help in Ages Past”, in the public domain at Archive.org.
  5. Psalm 27:1, 4-9, King James Version.
  6. Gloria Patri: Exceprted from Psalm 46 setting by Van Ness, sung in Evensong at St. Paul’s, Burlingame, Sept 26, 2021. Used in Accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  7. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, World English Bible.
  8. Motet: Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986) “Ubi Caritas,” performed by Initio Ensemble, at the Novosibirsk Special Musical School in 2014, uploaded to YouTube by Ivan Gorin, and used in accordance with the Creative Commons license. Translation: “Where charity and love are, God is there. Love of Christ has gathered us into one. Let us rejoice in Him and be glad. Let us fear, and let us love the living God. And from a sincere heart let us love one. Where charity and love are, God is there. At the same time, therefore, are gathered into one: Lest we be divided in mind, let us beware. Let evil impulses stop, let controversy cease. And in the midst of us be Christ our God. Where charity and love are, God is there. At the same time we see that with the saints also, Thy face in glory, O Christ our God: The joy that is immense and good, Unto the World without end. Amen.“
  9. Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23, 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: Aaronic blessing from Numbers 6.
  12. Organ postlude: Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706): “Allein Gott in der Hoh sei Ehr.” Recorded via Hauptwerk VI, using the Sonus Paradisi Sample Set of the Schnitger Organ in Noordbroek, Netherlands. Uploaded by Leon Kopecny, 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.

14Jan

A Celebration for the Second Sunday of Epiphany 2023

Epiphany 2nd Sunday 2023
  1. Opening acclamation: Psalm 118.
  2. Hymn: “O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing”, Soloist Roger McMurrin, and Dianne Bish, organ, from “Joy of Music” program entitled “The Life of John Wesley”, uploaded to YouTube by “Joy Of Music” and used in accordance with Creative Commons license. 
  3. First Reading: Isaiah 49:1-7, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 40:1-11, 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: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, World English Bible.
  7. Hymn: “Open My Eyes, That I May See” performed by Fountainview Academy; uploaded to YouTube by Terceiro Anjo, and used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: John 1:29-42, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew.
  10. Blessing: from 2 Corinthians 13.
  11. Organ Postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) “Toccata, Adagio und Fuge in C-Dur: Toccata (BWV 564)” performed by Jin Kyung Lim on the Fisk Organ at Stanford Memorial Church, uploaded to YouTube by “bongsub”, 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.