Category: Underground church

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.
18Apr

A Celebration of the Word, for the Third Sunday of Easter 2021

3rd Sunday of Easter 2021
  1. Prelude: Concerto for 2 Trumpets in C major, RV 537, by Antonio Vivaldi, performed by Michael Rondeau. Available at MusOpen.
  2. Reading: Acts 3:12-19, 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 4, from the King James Version, by Librivox.
  5. Music: “Gloria Patri” by Antonio Vivaldi, from Dixit Dominus, RV594, performed by Ghislieri Choir & Consort, uploaded to YouTube by Centro di Musica Antica Fondazione Ghislieri, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  6. Reading: 1 John 3: 1-7, World English Bible.
  7. Music: Jacob Handl (1550-1591) “Alleluia in Resurrectione” performed by La Coral DIVISI de Valencia, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel Reading: Luke 24: 36-48, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer, King James Version
  10. Choral benediction: C. P. Lutkin (1858-1931) “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” sung by the Csehy Summer School, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.

11Apr

A Celebration of the Word for the Second Sunday of Easter 2021

Second Sunday of Easter 2021
  • Call to Worship: From Psalm 118.
  • Prelude: Concerto for 2 Trumpets in D Major, by Johann Molter, MWV 6.30 – III. Allegro. From a European Archive, at MusOpen.
  • First Reading: Acts 4:32-35, World English Bible.
  • Psalm 133, KJV with background music, uploaded to YouTube by “Book of Psalms” and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.   
  • Hymn: “The Strife is O’er The Battle Won”, Choir of Ss Simon and Jude Cathedral, Pheonix, in 2013, by “ad te levavi”, available in Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons License.
  • Second Reading: I John 1:1-2:2, World English Bible.
  • 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.

  • Gospel reading: John 20:19-31, World English Bible.
  • The Lord’s Prayer: From the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.
  • Blessing:  From Second Corinthians.
  • 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 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.

04Apr

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.

  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).

(Reposted from April 2020)

02Apr

Good Friday: The Passion Of Jesus Christ According to St. John, and Other Readings and Music Appropriate for The Occasion.

Good Friday 2021
  1. Hymn: “O Sacred Head Now Wounded.” From a Good Friday service in 2018 at the First Congregational Church of LA, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  2. First Reading: Isaiah 52:13-53:12, King James Bible.
  3. Motet: Thomas Tallis (1505-1588) “Salvator Mundi”, uploaded to YouTube by “mk671tv”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license. Text in English: O Saviour of the world, save us, who by thy cross and blood hast redeemed us, help us, we pray thee, O Lord our God.
  4. Psalm 22 from the King James Bible.
  5. Motet: Antonio Lotti (1667-1740) “Crucifixus”, Performed by Coro Universidad Nacional de Rio Corto, used in accordance with Creative Commons license. Text in English: He was crucified also for us, under Pontius Pilate he suffered and was buried.
  6. Second Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, World English Bible.
  7. Motet: Tomas Luis de Victoria (1548-1611) “O Vos Omnes”, Performed by the Tudor Consort. Available on YouTube at “Free Music Channel” under Creative Commons license.  Text in English:  All you who walk by on the road, pay attention and see if there be any sorrow like my sorrow. Pay attention, all people, and look at my sorrow: if there be any sorrow like my sorrow.
  8. A Reading of the Passion Narrative from John 18:1–19:42, World English Bible.
  9. Organ postlude: Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) “Da Jesus an dem Kreuze stund” performed by Jean-Dominique Pasquet on the grand organ of l’Oratoire du Louvre à Paris, 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.

28Mar

Palm Sunday 2021-A Celebration of the Passion of Christ

Palm Sunday 2021
  1. Prelude: “All Glory Laud and Honor,” performed by Diane Bish on the organ of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, from the Joy of Music program “Hymns and Spiritual Songs of Easter,” used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  2. First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a, King James Bible.
  3. Psalm 31:9-16 
  4. Second Reading: Philippians 2:5-11, World English Bible.
  5. Hymn: “O Sacred Head Now Wounded”, Immanuel Congregational Church in 2013, available in the public domain at Archive.org.
  6. A Reading of the Passion Narrative from Mark 14:1–15:47, World English Bible.
  7. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
  8. Blessing: The “Aaronic blessing” From Deuteronomy.

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.

21Mar

Celebration of Word and Music for the Fifth Sunday of Lent 2021

5th Sunday of Lent 2021
  1. Call to Worship: From Psalm 51.
  2. 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.
  3. First Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 51
  5. Second Reading: Hebrews 5:5-10, World English Bible.
  6. Hymn: “Ah Holy Jesus”, Immanuel Congregational Church in 2013, available in the public domain at Archive.org.
  7. Gospel: John 12:20-33, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew.
  9. Blessing:  From Second Corinthians.
  10. Grigorio Allegri (1582-1652) “Miserere Mei”, performed by Trinity College Dublin, in public domain at Archive.org..

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.