May this brief service of word and music, dedicated to the glory of God, be a blessing to you this day.
Trinity Sunday 2021
Opening Acclamation and Prelude: “Holy Holy Holy” by Diane Bish, organist, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
Lesson 1: Isaiah 6:1-8, King James Bible.
Psalm 29, King James Bible.
Gloria Patri: From “Adoremus in aeternum and psalm” uploaded to YouTube by “UKOrdinariate”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Lesson 2: Romans 8:12-17, World English Bible.
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.
Gospel: John 3:1-17, World English Bible.
The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew 6, King James Version.
Closing blessing
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).
Hymn: “O Spirit of the Living God”, sung at Immanuel Congregational Church in 2013, in the public domain at Archive.org.
Lesson 1: Acts 2:1-21 World English Bible.
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.”
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b.
Lesson 2: Romans 8:22-27, World English Bible.
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
Gospel: John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15, World English Bible.
The Lord’s Prayer, and Benediction: From the Book of Common Prayer, 1662.
Organ postlude: “Veni Creator Spiritus” by Rien van Binnendijk at Esztergom, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
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.
Opening acclamation: Ephesians 1.
Lesson 1: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26 from the World English Bible.
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.“
Lesson 2: 1 John 5:9-13, World English Bible.
Hymn: “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.” Uploaded to YouTube by Christina Igupen, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Gospel: John 17:1-11, World English Bible.
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.
The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
Benediction from Romans 16:24.
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.
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
Opening acclamation: Psalm 47:5.
Hymn: “Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise”, Public Domain.
Lesson 1: Acts 1:1-11, World English Bible.
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.
Psalm 93, King James Version.
Lesson 1: Ephesians 1:15-23, World English Bible.
Hymn: “Rejoice, the Lord is King” by unknown soloist. Uploaded to YouTube by Christina Iqupen, and used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
Gospel: Luke 24:44-53, World English Bible.
The Lord’s Prayer: Chanted by unknown congregation, uploaded to YouTube by “LabourerFaith”, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Blessing: The Aaronic Blessing from Numbers 6 (King James Version).
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.
This little audio file is offered for your enjoyment and for the glory of God.
Opening acclamation: Psalm 51:15
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.
Lesson 1: Acts 10:44-48, World English Bible.
Psalm 98, from the King James Bible.
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.
Lesson 2: 1 John 5:1-6, World English Bible.
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.
Gospel: John 15:9-17, World English Bible.
The Lord’s Prayer, from Matthew.
Benediction and Amen, Public domain.
Organ postlude: J.S. Bach, “In Herr Jesu Christ dich zu uns wend, BWV 632”, performed by Aldo Locatelli, in the public domain.
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
Opening acclamation from Psalm 118.
Hymn: “Crown him with many crowns” by unknown singers. Public Domain. From Internet Archive.
First Reading: Acts 8:26-40(World English Bible).
Psalm 22: 25-31 (King James Version).
Gloria Patri: Excerpted from an audio cassette of a choir festival in Evanston, IL, circa 1993.
Second Reading: 1 John 4:7-12 (World English Bible).
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.”
Gospel: John 15: 1-8.
The Lord’s Prayer: Chanted by unknown congregation, uploaded to YouTube by “LabourerFaith”, and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
Blessing: The Aaronic Blessing from Numbers 6 (King James Version).
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.
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
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.
First Reading: Acts 4: 5-12, World English Bible.
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.
Second Reading: 1 John 3: 16-24, World English Bible.
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.“
Gospel Reading: John 10: 11-18, World English Bible.
Lord’s Prayer: from Luke.
Benediction: From Romans.
Postlude: “Erschienen ist der herrlich Tag” performed by Jens Engel on the organ of Kreuzkirche Sieglar, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Prelude: Concerto for 2 Trumpets in C major, RV 537, by Antonio Vivaldi, performed by Michael Rondeau. Available at MusOpen.
Reading: Acts 3:12-19, from the World English Bible, by Librivox.
Hymn: “Thine Be The Glory, Risen Conquering Son (Traditional Easter Hymn)”, From Internet Archives.
Reading: Psalm 4, from the King James Version, by Librivox.
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.
Reading: 1 John 3: 1-7, World English Bible.
Music: Jacob Handl (1550-1591) “Alleluia in Resurrectione” performed by La Coral DIVISI de Valencia, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
Gospel Reading: Luke 24: 36-48, World English Bible.
The Lord’s Prayer, King James Version
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.
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.
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.
Prelude: Concerto for 2 Trumpets in D Major, by Johann Molter, MWV 6.30. From a European Archive, at MusOpen.