Tag: Feasts and seasons

17Sep

Ah, The End of Summer

A chill creeps into the air.  School buses zip through neighborhoods ferrying youngsters to school.  The peak of summer is a fading memory, a languid dream sandwiched between academic semesters. For students, homework now begins to pile up.  Marching bands drum and play outdoors as football players practice tackling each other in adjacent fields.  

In many churches, in a normal year, the summer doldrums would also be over.  Attendance picks up dramatically. Sunday school resumes. The senior pastor is back from vacation.  The summer musicians have disbanded and the “A Team” choir or praise team is back.  

Of course, in 2020, these normal rhythms have been disrupted.  Virtuality is the norm in many places, including the church.  In my virtual church playlist for this week, I have decided to simulate the end of summer by adding some special musical touches, particularly the thrilling hymn “Crown Him With Many Crowns”, and the opening brass and organ duo performing “The Prince of Denmark March”.  I picture the service beginning with a full choir in procession.  In the churches that go for “high church” ceremony, the incense is back, and we see the processional cross sticking out above billowing clouds of rose scented smoke.

I pray you will enjoy the virtual service.  May you be edified by this week’s Scripture readings. 

06Sep

Celebration of the Word for the 14th Sunday after Pentecost

14th Sunday after Pentecost 2020
  1. Opening Acclamation: from Psalm 57:5.
  2. Organ prelude: Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1706), “Praeludium und Fuge” BuxWV 147, performed on ernst stolz Hauptwerk Müller organ Oosterwijtwerd, uploaded to YouTube by “My Years With Early Music”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: Ezekiel 33:7-11, King James Bible.
  4. Hymn: “Praise the Lord, The King of Heaven”, Public domain.
  5. Psalm 119:33-40, King James Version.
  6. Gloria Patri: Excerpted from a version of the “Magnificat” sung by the choir of Saint James Episcopal Church, Warrenton, VA on April 22, 2015, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  7. Second Reading: Romans 13:8-14, World English Bible.
  8. Anthem: Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757), “Fac ut ardeat cor meum in amando Christum Deum ut sibi complaceam”, from Stabat Mater, performed by the Tudor Consort, used in accordance with Creative Commons License. Translation: “Grant that my heart may burn in the love of Christ my Lord, that I may greatly please Him.”
  9. Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20, World English Bible.
  10. The Lord’s Prayer: from Matthew 6.
  11. Blessing: 2 Corinthians 13.
  12. Postlude: Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1706), “Toccata en Fa majeur” BuxWV 156, performed by Anne-Gaëlle Chanon on the orgue Schnitger de la Martinikerk de Groningen, 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.

30Aug

Celebration of the Word, for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost 2020

  1. Opening Acclamation: From Psalm 95:6
  2. Organ prelude: “Prelude by Orlando Gibbons” performed by David Joseph Stith at the First Presbyterian Church in Austin Texas, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.   
  3. First Reading: Jeremiah 15:15-2, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 26:1-8, King James Version.
  5. Gloria Patri: J. S. Bach (1685-1750), from “Magnificat” BWV 243, performed by the Tudor Consort, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  6. Second Reading: Romans 12:9-21, World English Bible.
  7. Organ Sequence: Starling Goodwin (1711-1774), “London New, Interlude 3”, uploaded to YouTube by Chordis and Organo, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  
  8. Gospel: Matthew 16:21-28, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: from Matthew 6.
  10. Blessing: 2 Corinthians 13.
  11. Amen: J. S. Bach (1685-1750), “Amen” BWV 1083, performed by Ensemble Imero, 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.

16Aug

A Celebration of the Word for the 11th Sunday After Pentecost: Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary

11th Sunday after Pentecost 2020
  1. Opening Acclamation: from Psalm 51
  2. Anthem: Pascale Colasse (1649-1709), “Beata Es Maria”, uploaded to YouTube by “L Jeanne”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: Isaiah 56:1, 6-8, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 67, King James Version.
  5. Gloria Patri: Excerpted from Puer Natus Est, sung at the Abbey of St. Martin of Ligugé, uploaded to YouTube by “Musique Sacree”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  6. Second Reading: Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, World English Bible.
  7. Hymn: Anthem: William Byrd (1540-1623), “Ave Virgo Sanctissima”, sung by Ars Mvsica. In the public domain, at Archive.org.  Translation: “Hail, Holy Virgin, most blessed Mother of God, bright star of the sea. Hail, ever glorious, precious pearl, lovely as the lily, beautiful and perfumed as the rose.”
  8. Gospel: Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28, World English Bible.
  9. Lord’s Prayer (latin): Sung by the Tudor Consort. Public domain.   
  10. Blessing: 2 Corinthians 13.
  11. Postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) “Art of Fugue Contrapunctus 1”. Performed by Benjamin Alard on the organ of l’église d’Arques-la-Bataille; 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.

09Aug

Celebration of the Word for the 10th Sunday after Pentecost 2020

  1. Opening Acclamation: from Psalm 118
  2. Prelude: Amazing Grace, for trombone quartet by Hisashi Arayama, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: 1 Kings 19:9-18, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 85:8-13, King James Version.
  5. Second Reading: Romans 10:5-15, World English Bible.
  6. Hymn: “Eternal Father Strong To Save” (Navy Hymn), sung by U.S. Navy Band; Public Domain.
  7. Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33, World English Bible.
  8. 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.
  9. Praise to God: from 1 Timothy 1:17.
  10. Postlude: “Eternal Father Strong To Save” (Instrumental), by U.S. Navy Band; Public Domain.

The Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain. Readings correspond to the Revised Common Lectionary. (I decided to revert to the KJV for the reading from 1 Kings, because hearing “Yahweh of Armies” in place of “Lord of Hosts” is just too jarring for me).  The two versions of the Navy Hymn can be found at The Internet Archive.

02Aug

A Celebration for the 9th Sunday After Pentecost

  1. Prelude: Heinrich Scheidemann (ca. 1595-1663): Praeambulum in G, performed on the organ of Reformierten Kirche in Uttum, uploaded to YouTube by Jens Engel, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  2. Opening Acclamation: from Psalm 95:6
  3. First Reading: Isaiah 55:1-5, World English Bible.
  4. Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21, King James Version.
  5. Second Reading: Romans 9:1-5, World English Bible.
  6. Organ Sequence: Eugene Gigout (1844-1925), excerpt from “Album grègorien: Tranquilo”, uploaded to YouTube by chordis & organo, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  7. Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21, 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: Eugene Gigout : Toccata in B major, performed by Joshua Sobel at the Edenton St UMC Church, Raleigh, NC, 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.

26Jul

Celebration of the Word, for the 8th Sunday of Pentecost 2020

8th Sunday after Pentecost 2020
  1. Prelude: Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625): Fantasia on the 3rd Tone (MB10) performed by David Joseph Stith on the organ at First Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas. Uploaded to YouTube by “stripedgazelle” and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  2. Opening Acclamation: from Psalm 95
  3. First Reading: 1 Kings 3:5-12, World English Bible.
  4. Hymn: “O God of Bethel by whose hand” performed at Chatauqua, NY in 1992, uploaded to YouTube by YueckertFred, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  5. Psalm 119:129-136, King James Version.
  6. Second Reading: Romans 8:26-39, World English Bible.
  7. Organ Sequence: Eugene Gigout (1844-1925), “Album grègorien: Tranquilo”, uploaded to YouTube by chordis & organo, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew 6.
  10. Blessing: From Jude
  11. Postlude: John Stanley (1712-1786), “Trumpet Voluntary” Played and recorded live at St. Jakobus major, Schrobenhausen (DE), on MöchtegernPianists & Woody/mC’s “Organ Funday”, uploaded to YouTube by “WoodyMC” and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.

The Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain. Readings correspond the Revised Common Lectionary.

19Jul

A Celebration for the 7th Sunday after Pentecost 2020

  1. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 51.
  2. Anthem: Sergei Rachmaninoff – “Priidite, poklonimsya” (“O come, let us worship”) sung by University of Warsaw Choir in a live recording from the “Vivat Academia” competition held by the Warsaw University of Technology on 18th April 2015.  Used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: Isaiah 44:6-8, World English Bible.
  4. Psalm 86:11-17, King James Version.
  5. Gloria Patri, excerpted from William Byrd (c. 1540-1623), “Nunc Dimimtis, Tone I in Faburdon”, from St. Thomas Church, 5th Avenue webcast circa 2012. (Fair Use).
  6. Second Reading: Romans 8:12-25, World English Bible.
  7. Hymn: “Be Thou My Vision”, 1st verse, sung at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, uploaded to YouTube by “Ad te levavi animam meam”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke 11.
  10. Blessing: 2 Corinthians 13.
  11. Postlude: J. S. Bach (1685-1750) “Fantasia and fugue in C Minor” BWV 537. Performed by David Schaller; Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  

The Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain. Readings correspond the Revised Common Lectionary.

12Jul

Celebration of the Word, for the 6th Sunday after Pentecost 2020

6th Sunday after Pentecost 2020
  1. Anthem: Christopher Tye (1505-1572), “O Come, Ye Servants of the Lord.” Performed by the Vespercantorij of the Groningen Student Church during Vespers in the Martini Church of Groningen, Netherlands, May 29, 2011.  Uploaded to YouTube by “niekdd” and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  2. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 51.
  3. First Reading: Isaiah 55:10-13, World English Bible.
  4. Psalm 65:1-13, King James Version.
  5. Gloria Patri, excerpted from Herbert Brewer (1865-1928), “Magnificat in D”, sung by “The Consort”, members of St John the Evangelist, Redhill, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  6. Second Reading: Romans 8:1-11, World English Bible.
  7. Organ Sequence: Starling Goodwin – London New — Interlude 3, uploaded to YouTube by “chordis & organo”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke 11.
  10. Blessing: 2 Corinthians 13.
  11. Amen: Extracted from William Byrd (c. 1540-1623), “Siderum rector, Deus alme, nostris”, from St. Thomas Church, 5th Avenue, webcast circa 2012. (Fair Use)
  12. Postlude: Georg Böhm (1661-1733), Extract from Partita “Freu dich sehr, o meine Seele”, performed by Benjamin Alard on the 1694 organ at St. Sixtus und Sinicius’s church in Hohenkirchen, Germany. 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.

05Jul

Celebration of the Word, for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost 2020

Celebration for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost 2020
  1. Prelude: “America the beautiful”, by the U.S. Army Band, in the public domain at Archive.org.
  2. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 51.
  3. Music (Standing in place of Old Testament Scripture: Zechariah 9:9-12): “Rejoice Greatly, O Daughters of Zion”. From G.F. Handel’s “Messiah”, uploaded to YouTube by Eben Visher, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  4. Psalm 145:8-14, King James Version.
  5. Gloria Patri, instrumental (piano), uploaded to YouTube by Christina Iqupen, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  6. Second Reading: Romans Romans 7:15-25, World English Bible.
  7. Hymn: “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?”, verse 1, excerpted from a live service at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, NYC, in 2013.
  8. Gospel: Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: Earl Killian. Used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  10. Blessing: 2 Corinthians 13.
  11. Postlude: “America the beautiful”, performed on guitar, uploaded to Archive.org by Rick Zerndt; In the public domain.  

Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain. Readings correspond the the Revised Common Lectionary.