Tag: Easter

14Apr

Celebration of the Word for the Third Sunday in Easter Season 2024

Easter 3rd Sunday, Year B
  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.
06Apr

Second Sunday of Easter 2024

Easter 2nd Sunday, Year B
  • 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: Lynwood 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.

30Mar

Easter Sunday: A Celebration of the Resurrection!

Easter Sunday Year B
  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: 1 Corinthians 15: 1-11, 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.
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.
29May

Celebration for the Seventh Sunday of Easter, 2022

Easter 7th Sunday 2022
  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 16:16-34 from the World English Bible.
  4. Psalm 97: King James Version.
  5. Gloria Patri: Palestrina, sung by the choir of Trinity Church, Boston at a service of compline in May 2016, used in accordance with Creative Commons license, and available at Wikimedia Commons. Words in English: “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.”
  6. Lesson 2: Revelation 22:21-14, 16-17, 20-21, from the World English Bible.
  7. Hymn: “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.” Uploaded to YouTube by
    Christina Igupen, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: John 17:20-26, World English Bible.
  9. 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.
  10. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
  11. Benediction from Romans 16:24.
  12. 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.

22May

Celebration of the Word for the Sixth Sunday of Easter 2022

Easter 6th Sunday 2022
  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 16:9-16, World English Bible.
  4. Psalm 67, 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: Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5, 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 5:1-9, 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.
15May

Celebration of the Word for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, 2022

Easter fifth Sunday 2022
  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 11:1-18 (World English Bible).
  4. Psalm 148 (King James Version).
  5. Gloria Patri: Excerpted from an audio cassette of a choir festival in Evanston, IL, circa 1993.
  6. Second Reading:  Revelation 21:1-6 (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 13: 31-35 (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. 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.

07May

A Celebration for the Fourth Sunday of Easter 2022

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 2022
  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 9: 36-43, 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: Revelations 7: 9-17, 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: 22-30, 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.
30Apr

A Celebration of the Word for the Third Sunday of Easter 2022

Easter 3rd Sunday 2022
  1. Prelude: Concerto for 2 Trumpets in C major, RV 537, by Antonio Vivaldi, performed by Michael Rondeau. Available at MusOpen.
  2. Reading: Acts 9:1-20, 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 30, 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: Revelation 5: 11-14, World English Bible.
  7. Music: Heinrich Schütz (1615–1672) “Ihr Heiligen, lobsinget dem Herren” SWV 288. Singers: Paulina Bielarczyk and Sylwia Ziółkowska; Organ: Wacław Golonka, used in Accordance with Creative Commons License. Translation: “You holy ones, sing praise to the Lord, be grateful and praise his glory, Because his anger lasts but a moment, and he has joy in life. During the night the weeping endures, but in the morning comes joy.”
  8. Gospel Reading: John 21: 1-9, 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.
24Apr

Celebration of Word and Music for the Second Sunday of Easter 2022

Easter 2nd Sunday 2022
  • 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 118, Lutheran chants performed at Vespers service by Redeemer Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, IN in 2015; uploaded to YouTube by Benjamin Mayes, 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: Revelation 1:4-8, 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.