Category: Music

01Jul

Readings for the 5th Sunday after Pentecost 2023

Pentecost 5th Sunday 2023
  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: J.S. 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.

24Jun

4th Sunday after Pentecost 2023

Pentecost 4th Sunday 2023
  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 benediction from Romans.
  11. Hymn: “Take my Life and Let it Be”, by Vallejo Drive SDA Church, 2017, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  12. 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.

18Jun

Third Sunday of Pentecost Season, 2023

Pentecost 3rd Sunday 2023
  1. Opening Acclamation from Psalm 103: “Blessed be the Lord God.”
  2. Prelude: Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707), “Praeludium in G Major” BuxWV 139 performed by organist Ian Dolans, available in the public domain.
  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. Organ interlude: “Nearer My God to Thee” performed by Joey Wetzels, available on YouTube and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  7. Gospel: Matthew 9:35-10:23, 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. Benediction: Ephesians 3.
  10. Organ Postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), “Praeludium in A Moll” BWV 543, performed in 2021 by organist Leon Kopeckny on Hauptwerk VI, using the Obervellach Sample Set by Piotr Grabowski at Santa Iglesia Cathedral, Murcia, Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.

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

10Jun

Second Sunday after Pentecost 2023, The Sunday after Corpus Christi

  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: Hosea 5:15-6:6.
  4. Psalm 50:7-15
  5. Second Reading: Romans 4:13-25, 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 9:9-13, 18-26, 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.

04Jun

First Sunday after Pentecost 2023: Trinity Sunday

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

Trinity Sunday 2023
  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. Brass postlude: Giovanni Cavaccio (1556-1625) “Canzona ‘La Foresta”, performed by Michel Rondeau, from MusOpen
06May

Celebration of the 5th Sunday of Easter, 2023

Easter 5th Sunday 2023
  1. Opening acclamation from Ephesians 1.
  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. Organ sequence: “Christ Ist Erstanden” performed by Jens Engel on the organ of Kreuzkirche Sieglar, used in accordance with Creative Commons license. English Hymn text: “Christ the Lord is risen again; Christ has broken every chain! Hark, the angels shout for joy, Singing evermore on high: Alleluia.”
  8. Gospel: John 14: 1-14.
  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. 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.

29Apr

Celebration for the Fourth Sunday of Easter 2023

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.

Easter 4th Sunday 2023
  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. Hymn: “Now the Green Blade Riseth” performed by Stour Valley Benefice, United Kingdom, 2022, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  6. Gospel Reading: John 10: 1-10, World English Bible.
  7. 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.
  8. Closing blessing: From Romans.
  9. Postlude: Heut Triumphiret Gottes Sohn, BWV 630, performed by Aldo Locatelli.
22Apr

Celebration of the Word for the Third Sunday of Easter 2023

Easter 3rd Sunday 2023
  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. Reading: 1 Peter 1:17-23, World English Bible.
  7. Motet: Josef Rheinberger (1839-1901) “Abendlied,” Op 69, no. 3, performed at Trinity Church, Boston. This recording is available on Wikimedia Commons, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license. Translation: Bide with us, for evening shadows darken, and the day will soon be over.
  8. Gospel reading: Luke 24:13-35, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer, King James Version
  10. Choral benediction: C.P. Lutkin. “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.” Sung by the Csehy Summer School, 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.

16Apr

Celebration of the Word for the Second Sunday of Easter 2023

  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: “Jesus Lives!” by Stour Valley Benefice, United Kingdom, 2022, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  4. Reading: Psalm 16, from the King James Version, by Librivox.
  5. Hymn: “The Strife is O’er The Battle Won”, by Stour Valley Benefice, United Kingdom, 2022, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  6. Second Reading: 1 Peter 3: 3-9, World English Bible.
  7. 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.“
  8. Reading: John 20:19-31, from the World English Bible.
  9. 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.
  10. Benediction.
  11. Song: “Exultate Deo”, by William Byrd; Internet Archives Community Audio.
  12. 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 Lord’s Prayer: From the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.
  • Blessing:  From Second Corinthians.

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.

08Apr

Easter Sunday: A Celebration of the Resurrection

Easter Sunday 2023
  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. Gloria Patri by Antionio Vivaldi (1678-1741) Performed by Orquesta del Conservatori Superior de musica Juaquin Rodrigo Valencia (spain) in 2012; Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  6. Reading: Colossians 3: 1-4, World English Bible.
  7. Hymn: “Jesus Christ is Risen Today,” by Stour Valley Benefice, United Kingdom, 2022, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  8. Reading: John 20:1-20, from the World English Bible.
  9. 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.
  10. Benediction from Romans 16:24.
  11. Music: “Amen”, from Magnificat, by Jan Dismas Zelenka; Performed by the Prague Choral Society, at MusOpen (linked above).
  12. Organ Hymn: “Christ the Lord is Risen Today,” performed by Diane Bish, from “Joy of Music” program 2501, “Hymns and Spiritual Songs of Easter.” Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.