Category: Underground church

20Jun

Celebration of the Word for the 4th Sunday after Pentecost 2021

Pentecost Season, 4th Sunday 2021
  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 14:35-41 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.

13Jun

Celebration for the Third Sunday after Pentecost 2021

  1. Opening Acclamation from Ephesians 1.
  2. Organ Prelude: Johann Gottfried Walther (1684-1748) “Lobe Den Herren”, Ian Dollins playing the 1997 Klais Organ in Haileybury College Chapel, Hertfordshire, UK. Public domain at MusOpen.org.
  3. First Reading: Ezekiel 17:22-24, World English Bible.
  4. Hymn: “For the Beauty of the Earth”, Public Domain.
  5. Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15, King James Version.
  6. Gloria Patri, from a service of compline, Trinity Church 2016, available at Wikimedia Commons, and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  7. Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:6-17, World English Bible.
  8. Anthem: Koinoikion “Praise the Lord”, 2012 from OrthodoxMusicOnline, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  9. Gospel: Mark 4:26-34, World English Bible.
  10. The Lord’s Prayer from Matthew 6.
  11. Benediction from Romans.
  12. Organ Postlude: Buxtehude (1637-1707) “Ciaconna e-moll”, BuxWV 160, From “ririkuku”; Available at Wikimedia Commons, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.

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

06Jun

Celebration of the Word for the Sunday after Corpus Christi, 2021

Sunday After Corpus Christi 2021
  1. Opening Acclamation from John 6: “I am the bread of life.”
  2. Prelude: “At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing”, for organ, by unknown performer. Public domain.
  3. First Reading: Genesis 3:8-15, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 130: Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625) “Out of the Deep” performed by the Tudor Consort (Creative Commons license), available at Wikimedia Commons.  Text: “Out of the deep have I called unto Thee, O Lord. Lord, Hear my voice. O, Let Thine ears consider well the voice of my complaint. If Thou Lord, will be extreme to mark what is done amiss: O Lord, who may abide it. For there is mercy with thee; therefore shalt thou be feared. I look for the LORD; my soul doth wait for him; in his word is my trust. My soul fleeth unto the Lord before the morning watch; I say, before the morning watch. O Israel, trust in the LORD; for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his sins.“
  5. Second Reading: Second Corinthians 4:13-5:1, World English Bible.
  6. Motet: “Pange Lingua (de Vézelay) – fr Jean-Baptiste de la Sainte Famille”, performed by unknown performers, used in accordance with Creative Commons license. The text is a medieval hymn for the feast of Corpus Christi written by St. Thomas Aquinas. First stanza in English: “Sing, my tongue, the Saviour’s glory, Of His Flesh, the mystery sing; Of the Blood, all price exceeding, Shed by our Immortal King, Destined, for the world’s redemption, From a noble Womb to spring…” (This is a long text; for the full Latin version and two translations into English, check out this page from Wikipedia).
  7. Gospel: Mark 3:20-35, 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: Juan Bautista Cabanilles (1644-1712), “Pange Lingua 5º tono punto” 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.

30May

Celebration of the Word for Trinity Sunday 2021

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

Trinity Sunday 2021
  1. Opening Acclamation and Prelude: “Holy Holy Holy” by Diane Bish, organist, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  2. Lesson 1: Isaiah 6:1-8, King James Bible.
  3. Psalm 29, King James Bible.
  4. Gloria Patri: From “Adoremus in aeternum and psalm” uploaded to YouTube by “UKOrdinariate”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  5. Lesson 2: Romans 8:12-17, 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: John 3:1-17, 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: Canzona ‘La Foresta”
23May

A Celebration of Word and Music for Pentecost 2021

Pentecost 2021
  1. Opening acclamation, Psalm 51:15.
  2. Hymn: “O Spirit of the Living God”, sung at Immanuel Congregational Church in 2013, in the public domain at Archive.org.
  3. Lesson 1: Acts 2:1-21 World English Bible.
  4. Music: Thomas Tallis (1505-1585): “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: Romans 8:22-27, World English Bible.
  7. Hymn: “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
  8. Gospel: John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer, and Benediction: From the Book of Common Prayer, 1662.
  10. Organ postlude: “Veni Creator Spiritus” by Rien van Binnendijk at Esztergom, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
16May

A Celebration of Word and Music for the Seventh Sunday of Easter 2021

7th Sunday of Easter 2021
  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: Ephesians 1.
  3. Lesson 1: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 from the World English Bible.
  4. Psalm: Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943): “Blazhen Muzh” from Vespers, Op 37; Performed by the University of Warsaw Choir, and used in accordance with the Creative Commons license. Translation in English: “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked. Alleluia. The Lord knows the way of the righteous, and the way of the wicked will perish. Alleluia. Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice in Him with trembling. Alleluia. Blessed is he who puts his trust in Him. Alleluia. Arise, Lord, save me, my God. Alleluia. The Lord is the savior of the people of His blessing. Alleluia. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever more. Amen. Alleluia. Glory to You, God.“
  5. Lesson 2: 1 John 5:9-13, World English Bible.
  6. Hymn: “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.” Uploaded to YouTube by
    Christina Igupen, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  7. Gospel: John 17:1-11, World English Bible.
  8. Response: “Lord Have Mercy”, from “Wednesday Vespers – Sanctified 2018 Tacoma”, uploaded to YouTube by Pacific Lutheran University, and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
  10. Benediction from Romans 16:24.
  11. Organ postlude: Johann Christian Heinrich Rinck (1770-1846): “Präludium G-Dur”, Performed on the Oberlinger-Orgel der Martin-Luther-Kirche Oberlar by Jens Engel, Used in accordance with the 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.

13May

Ascension Day 2021

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 Day 2021
  1. Opening acclamation: Psalm 47:5.
  2. Hymn: “Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise”, Public Domain.
  3. Lesson 1: Acts 1:1-11, World English Bible.
  4. Psalm 47, musical setting by George Lay, sung by the Choir of Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Jon Johnson Director of Music, at St Alban’s Cathedral in England. Used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  5. Psalm 93, King James Version.
  6. Lesson 1: Ephesians 1:15-23, World English Bible.
  7. Hymn: “Rejoice, the Lord is King” by unknown soloist. Uploaded to YouTube by Christina Iqupen, and used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: Luke 24:44-53, 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. Choral Work: Gerald Finzi (1901-1956) “God is Gone Up” Performed by the Immanuel Congregational Church, 2013, available in the public domain at Archive.org.
09May

A Celebration of Word and Music for the Sixth Sunday of Easter 2021

This little audio file is offered for your enjoyment and for the glory of God.

  1. Opening acclamation: Psalm 51:15
  2. Hymn: “Amazing Grace” for flute, Angela Brown, and organ, Diane Bish, from a program entitled “Hymns and Sacred Songs”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  3. Lesson 1: Acts 10:44-48, World English Bible.
  4. Psalm 98, from the King James Bible.
  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 John 5:1-6, World English Bible.
  7. Music: John Stainer (1840-1901) “God so Loved the World”, performed by the Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford CT (with the lovely bonus sound of the siren of an unknown first responder toward the end of the piece), available in the public domain.
  8. Gospel: John 15:9-17, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer, from Matthew.
  10. Benediction and Amen, Public domain.
  11. Organ postlude: J.S. Bach, “In Herr Jesu Christ dich zu uns wend, BWV 632”, performed by Aldo Locatelli, in the public domain.
02May

Celebration in Word and Music for the Fifth Sunday of Easter 2021

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

5th Sunday of Easter 2021
  1. Opening acclamation from Psalm 118.
  2. Hymn: “Crown him with many crowns” by unknown singers. Public Domain.  From Internet Archive.
  3. First Reading: Acts 8:26-40(World English Bible).
  4. Psalm 22: 25-31 (King James Version).
  5. Gloria Patri: Excerpted from an audio cassette of a choir festival in Evanston, IL, circa 1993.
  6. Second Reading:  1 John 4:7-12 (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 15: 1-8.
  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 sources that are mostly in the public domain, including LibriVox (for bible readings), MusOpen (for royalty Free Music) and the Community Audio section of the Internet Archives.

25Apr

A Celebration for the Fourth Sunday of Easter 2021

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.

4th Sunday of Easter 2021
  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 4: 5-12, World English Bible.
  3. Psalm 23: “The Lord’s My Shepherd” by the choir of St. Giles Cathedral with guest organist Diane Bish, featured on the Joy of Music program 2407 “Hymns and Sacred Songs from England,” used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  4. Second Reading: 1 John 3: 16-24, World English Bible.
  5. Motet: Giovanni de Palestrina (1525-1594) “Haec Dies” by the Tudor Consort, 2006, used in accordance with the Creative Commons License. Translation: “This is the day the Lord has made: let us rejoice and be glad in it, Alleluia.“
  6. Gospel Reading: John 10: 11-18, World English Bible.
  7. Lord’s Prayer: from Luke.
  8. Benediction: From Romans.
  9. Postlude: “Erschienen ist der herrlich Tag” performed by Jens Engel on the organ of Kreuzkirche Sieglar, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.