17Dec

Celebration for the Third Sunday of Advent 2023

Advent 3rd Sunday 2023
  1. Opening Sentence: Phillippians 4.
  2. Carol: “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”, performed by the chorus of the U.S. Army Band, led by Colonel Thomas Rotondi, Jr.  Public domain.
  3. First Reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, King James Bible.
  4. Canticle: Zachariáš Zarevúcky (1605-1667): “Magnificat secundi toni à (8, alternatim)”, performed in December 2010 at ČESKÉ MUZEUM HUDBY. Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  English Text from Luke 1:46-55:  “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.  For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
  5. Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, World English Bible.
  6. Motet (in lieu of Gospel Reading, from John 1:19-23): Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625) “This is the Record of John,” performed by the Men and Boys of Saint Matthew’s Church, Ottawa. Uploaded to YouTube by Leonard Surges, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  
  7. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew.
  8. Blessing: 2nd Corinthians 13.
  9. Organ postlude: Georg Böhm (1661-1733), Extract from Partita “Freu dich sehr, o meine Seele” performed by Benjamin Alard in Aug 2019 on the historical organ by Joachim Kayser (1694) – St. Sixtus und Sinicius’s church in Hohenkirchen (Wangerland), 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.

09Dec

A Celebration of the Word for the Second Sunday of Advent 2023

Advent 2nd Sunday 2023
  1. Opening Sentence: Mark 1.
  2. Hymn: Claude Goudimel (c. 1505-1572) “Comfort Comfort Ye, My People”, sung by
  3. Ned Tipton and the St. John’s Cathedral Compline Choir, Los Angeles, uploaded to YouTube by Steven Speciale, and used in Accordance with Creative Commons license.   
  4. First Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11, King James Bible.
  5. Psalm Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13, King James Bible.
  6. Hymn: Gustav Holst (1874-1934) “In the Bleak Midwinter”, performed in December 2010 by QuireCleveland under direction by Ross W. Duffin, at the Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland, OH. Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  
  7. Second Reading: 2 Peter 3:8-15a, World English Bible.
  8. Organ sequence: “Hark, A Thrilling Voice is Sounding”, Uploaded to YouTube by Evan Hilsabeck, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  
  9. Gospel: Mark 1:1-8, World English Bible.
  10. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
  11. Blessing: 2nd Corinthians 13.
  12. Organ postlude: Heinrich Scheidemann (1595-1663) “Es ist gewisslich an der Zeit” performed by Reiner Korver on the Severijn organ in the St. Martinuskerk in Cuijk, 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.

02Dec

Readings and Music for the First Sunday of Advent

Advent 1st Sunday 2023
  1. Opening Sentence: Isaiah 9:2.
  2. “Come, thou Long Expected Jesus” performed at the University Church in Walla Walla, WA, uploaded to YouTube by “Your Church” and used in Accordance with Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: Isaiah 64:1-9, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, King James Bible.
  5. Gloria Patri (“Glory be to the Father”) by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594), sung by Salt Lake Children’s Choir, at the First Baptist Church of Salt Lake City, May 2011; Uploaded to YouTube by “lemmondg”; Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  
  6. Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, World English Bible. Organ sequence: “Lo, He Comes with Clouds of Glory”, Uploaded to YouTube by “Ubertuba”; Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  7. Gospel: Mark 13:24-37, 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. Blessing: 2nd Corinthians 13.
  10. Anthem: “O Come O Come Emmanuel” posted by “Ferox” in the Internet Archive. 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.

25Nov

The Last Sunday after Pentecost 2023: Christ the King Sunday

Christ the King Sunday 2023
  1. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 90.
  2. “O God Our Help in Ages Past” performed by Dianne Bish at Domkirche zu Trier, Germany, from the “Joy of Music” program “Hymns and Sacred Songs II”, used in Accordance with Creative Commons license.   
  3. First Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 95:1-7a, King James Bible.
  5. Second Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23, World English Bible.
  6. Hymn: “O Worship the King”, Uploaded to YouTube by “bhepure isidoro”; Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  7. Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46, World English Bible.
  8. 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.
  9. Blessing: The Aaronic blessing from Numbers 6.
  10. Anthem: “Peace be with you” by Adrian Snell in a choir arrangement by Jon Fylling performed by Bodø Chamber Choir, Chorus Novus and Korinteran in Rønvik Church, Bodø on the 16th of June 2019; The soloist is Eva Marianne Olsson. 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.

23Nov

A Celebration in Word and Music for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving 2023
  1. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 92.
  2. Hymn: “Now Thank we All Our God”, performed by St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Guelph, Ontario Canada; used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: Deuteronomy 8:7-18, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 65, King James Bible.
  5. Hymn: “We Gather Together” sung by Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, California, uploaded to YouTube by Martijn de Groot, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  6. Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, World English Bible.
  7. Organ sequence: “Come Ye Thankful People Come”, Played by Diane Bish on the organ of the Monastery of the town of Engelberg, Switzerland; Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  
  8. Gospel: Luke 17:11-19, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew.
  10. Blessing: From 2 Corinthians 13
  11. Organ postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): “Nun danket alle Gott” performed by Gerd Weimar at the Lutherkirche Altena. Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
19Nov

Celebration for the 25th Sunday after Pentecost 2023

Pentecost 25th Sunday 2023
  1. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 118:1.
  2. Hymn: “Rejoice The Lord Is King” by unknown soloist. Uploaded to YouTube by Christina Iqupen, and used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.  
  3. First Reading: Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 90:1-12, King James Bible.
  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 Thessalonians 5:1-11, World English Bible.
  7. Organ Sequence: Georg Böhm (1661-1733): “Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend”, performed by Jens Engle, Used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer and benediction: From The Book of Common Prayer, 1662.
  10. Organ postlude: J. S. Bach (1685–1750), “Fantasie c-Dur”, BWV 573, performed by Axel Fischer at Lüchow, uploaded to YouTube by NOMINEeV, 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.

12Nov

Celebration of the Word for the 24th Sunday after Pentecost 2023

Pentecost 24th Sunday 2023
  1. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 51:15.
  2. Motet: Thomas Tallis (1505-1588) “Hear the Voice and Prayer” sung by The University of Iowa Camerata. Uploaded to YouTube by the University of Iowa School of Music, and used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.  
  3. First Reading: Amos 5:18-24, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 70, King James Bible.
  5. Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, World English Bible.
  6. Organ Sequence: “Beautiful Savior”, hymn played on organ by Tyler Breneman on the II/24 McManis Pipe Organ at Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lindsborg, Kansas. Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  
  7. Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
  9. Blessing: The Aaronic Blessing from Numbers 6 (King James Version).
  10. Organ postlude: Franz Liszt (1811-1886) “Prelude and Fugue on B-A-C-H”, performed by Daniela Timokhine on the organs of Freiburg Cathedral, Germany, uploaded to YouTube by “gavaec1”, 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.

04Nov

Celebration of the Word for the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost 2023: All Saints Sunday

All Saints Sunday 2023
  1. Call to Worship: Psalm 149:1
  2. Hymn: “For all the Saints” by the congregation of Immanuel Congregational Church, in the public domain at Archive.org.
  3. First Reading: Micah 3:5-12, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 43, King James Bible.
  5. Motet: Tomas Luis da Victoria (1548-1611): “O quam gloriosum”, sung at St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church in Ottumwa, Iowa. The choir is the Cantus Angelicus Choral Society. This was in the public domain, at Archive.org. Translation: “O, how glorious is the kingdom, in which all the saints rejoice with Christ!  Arrayed in white robes, they follow the Lamb, wherever He goes.”
  6. Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, World English Bible.
  7. Organ interlude: “At the Lamb’s High Feast we Sing” (Salzburg)
  8. Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12, 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. Organ postlude: Marc Antoine Charpentier (1643-1704): “Te Deum Prelude in D Major”, performed on the 1907 Voit organ at Diakoniekirche Luther in Mannheim Neckarstadt West, uploaded to YouTube by “RomanticChurchOrgan” and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.

29Oct

Celebration for the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost 2023

Pentecost 22nd Sunday 2023
  1. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 46:1.
  2. Hymn: “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” by unknown congregation. Public domain.
  3. First Reading: Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 1, King James Bible.
  5. Gloria Patri: Excerpted from chanting of Psalm 96 by Wakefield Cathedral Choir, 2018; Fair Use.
  6. Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8, World English Bible.
  7. Organ sequence: Georg Böhm (1661-1733): Excerpt from “Ach wie nichtig, ach wie flüchtig” performed by Thiemo Janssen on the organ in Marienhafe, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: Matthew 22:34-46, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: from Matthew 6.
  10. Blessing: 2 Corinthians 13.
  11. Organ Postlude: Johan Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): “Toccata and Fugue in D minor.” Played by Fyodor Stroganov (organ). Recorded from a concert on 10/04/2015 at the Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul. The organizer is the Collegium musicum concert agency. 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.

22Oct

Celebration of the Word for the 21st Sunday of Pentecost, 2023

Pentecost 21st Sunday 2023
  1. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 122:1: “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord!”
  2. Hymn: “Praise to The Lord, The Almighty the King of Creation”, sung by an anonymous congregation, in the public domain.
  3. First Reading: Isaiah 45:1-7, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 96, King James Bible.
  5. Gloria Patri: Excerpted from chanting of Psalm 96 by Wakefield Cathedral Choir, 2018; Fair Use.
  6. Second Reading: I Thessalonians 1:1-10, World English Bible.
  7. Organ sequence: “Ite Confessor Ist” Hymn Tune, played on the organ at Norwich Cathedral, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  8. Gospel: Matthew 22:15-22, 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. Blessing: The Aaronic Blessing from Numbers 6 (King James Version).
  11. Organ postlude: Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707), “Präludium g-Moll”, BuxWV 149, performed by Tobias Götting, Lambertikirche, Oldenburg, 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.