Tag: Johann Sebastian Bach

31Dec

Celebration of the Word for the First Sunday after Christmas

Christmas First Sunday, Year A
  1. Prelude: “Adeste Fideles” performed by ALTA BELLEZZA, Ann Allen and Hann Geisel on shawms, and Nathaniel Wood on slide trumpet; From Midnight mass on 24th December 2019, at St. Mauritius, Schötz, Switzerland.  Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  2. First Reading: Isaiah 63: 7-9, King James Bible.
  3. Carol: “In Dulci Jubilo” performed by Eva Cernanska (soprano), Liubov Melnyk (alto), Xabier Monton (tenor), and Raul del Toro (Organ), at the parish of El Salvador in Pamplona, uploaded to YouTube by “Canentes Domino”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.  English Lyrics: “In sweet rejoicing, now sing and be glad! Our hearts’ joy lies in the manger; And it shines like the sun in the mother’s lap. You are the Alpha and Omega!” (The most common English version is “Good Christian men rejoice”)
  4. Psalm 148, King James Version.
  5. Carol: “Silent Night”, sung by Malden High School Concert Choir at their 2018 State House Holiday Concert, uploaded to YouTube by Chris Murphy and used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  6. Second Reading: Colossians 3:12-17, World English Bible.
  7. Carol: “Coventry Carol” performed by the chorus of the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own”, led by Colonel Thomas Rotondi, Jr. and CSM Debra L. McGarity. This is in the public domain. 
  8. Gospel: Luke 2:41-52, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer: From the Book of Common Prayer 1662.
  10. Blessing: 2nd Corinthians 13.
  11. Carol: “Adeste Fideles” performed by Collegium Vocale, in 2017, available at Wikimedia Commons, and used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  12. Organ postlude: Johann S Bach (1685-1750) “Puer natus in Bethlehem” BWV 603, from Orgelbüchlein, performed by Jens Engel on the Orgel der Christuskirche Lohmar. Available on youtube, 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.

26Nov

A Celebration of the First Sunday of Advent 2022

Advent 1st Sunday 2022
  1. Opening Sentence: From Psalm 25.
  2. Hymn: “Come, thou Long Expected Jesus.” Public Domain at Archive.org; Uploaded by Fr Timothy Matkin.
  3. First Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 122: “I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me” by Charles H. Hubert Parry (1848-1918). Performed by Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford; available in the Public Domain at Archive.org.
  5. Second Reading: Romans 13:11-14, World English Bible.
  6. Hymn: “Savior of the Nations Come”, sung by Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford, in the public domain at Archive.org.  
  7. Gospel: Matthew 24:36-44, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew.
  9. Blessing: 2nd Corinthians 13.
  10. Anthem: “O Come O Come Emmanuel” posted by “Ferox” in the Internet Archive. Public Domain.
  11. Organ Postlude: J.S. Bach (1685-1750) “Nun Komm, der Heiden Heiland”, BWV 659, Performed by David Schaller. Uploaded to YouTube by “After Dark Organ Music”, 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 for the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost 2022

Pentecost 23rd Sunday 2022
  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: Malachi 4:1-2a, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm: Giovanni Croce (1557-1609) “Cantate Domino” (setting of Psalm 98 in Latin), performed by an anonymous choir, uploaded to YouTube by “Free Music Tube”, used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  5. Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, World English Bible.
  6. 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.
  7. Gospel: Luke 21:5-19, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew 6.
  9. Blessing: From 2 Corinthians 13.
  10. Choral “Amen”, public domain.
  11. 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.

30Oct

Celebration of the 21st Sunday After Pentecost 2022: Reformation Sunday

The last Sunday in October is honored in many Protestant churches as “Reformation Sunday”, recalling that on October 31, 1517 Martin Luther made public his 95 theses which, according to legend, he nailed to the door of the Castle church in Wittenburg, Germany. The opening hymn selected for today, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”, was written by Luther himself. Also, in honor of another holiday coming up that coincides with that date, I have chosen a special treat for the organ postlude in this virtual service.

Pentecost 21st Sunday 2022
  1. Opening Acclamation: Psalm 46:1.
  2. Organ Prelude: “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” performed at Zwingli’s church, Bern Minster, by Diane Bish, from “8719 BERN CATHEDRAL – BERN, SWITZERLAND”, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  3. First Reading: Isaiah 1:10-18, King James Bible.
  4. Hymn: “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” sung by an unknown congregation. Public domain.
  5. Psalm 32:1-7, King James Bible.
  6. Response: Psalm 84 (1), sung at Kerke de Laurens, Rotterdam, in 2020. Used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  7. Second Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12, World English Bible.
  8. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Chorale prelude on “Allein Gott in der Höh´ sei Ehr´” BWV 716, recorded on Hauptwerk VI, using the Sonus Paradisi Sample Set of the Schnitger Organ in Noordbroek, Netherlands. Uploaded to Youtube by Leon Kopecny in 2021, used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  9. Gospel: Luke 19:1-10, World English Bible.
  10. 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.
  11. Blessing: 1 Timothy 1:17.
  12. 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. 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 20th Sunday after Pentecost 2022

Pentecost 20th Sunday 2022
  1. Opening Acclamation: Ephesians 1.
  2. Organ Prelude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) “Organ Prelude in G Major” BWV 568, performed by David Stith at St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, Austin, Texas, uploaded to YouTube by “StripedGazelle”, and used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm: Psalm 84, sung by the Clarion Singers, uploaded to YouTube by Rende Brouwer, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  5. Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, World English Bible.
  6. Anthem: Giovanni da Palestrina (c. 1525 – 1594) “Alleluia.” Sung at First Congregational Church of LA, available on YouTube, and used in accordance with the Creative Commons License.
  7. Gospel: Luke 18:9-14, 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: From Romans.
  10. Organ postlude: “Improvisation on Cwm Rhonda (Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer),” performed in 2022 by Joshua Sobel on the great 1931/1963 IV/62 Austin organ at Centenary United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem, NC. This is available on YouTube, and 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.

02Oct

Celebration of Word and Music for the 17th Sunday after Pentecost 2022

  1. Opening Acclamation: From Psalm 81:1.
  2. Hymn: “Love Divine All Loves Excelling” sung at Hyde Park Union Church, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 37:1-9, King James Version.
  5. Hymn: “Alleluia Sing to Jesus” by Stour Valley Benefice, United Kingdom, August 2021, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  6. Second Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-14, World English Bible.
  7. Organ Sequence: David Johnson’s “Wondrous Love”, played by Joey Wetzels on the great Klais organ of the Monastery St. Michael in Steyl, uploaded to YouTube by Joey Wetzels, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: Luke 17:5-10, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer from Matthew.
  10. Blessing: 1 Timothy 1:17., World English Bible.
  11. Organ postlude: J. S. Bach (1685–1750), “Präludium a-Moll”, BWV 543, performed by Lucas Pohle at Nikolaikirche Leipzig, 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.

03Sep

Celebration of the Word for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost 2022

Pentecost 13th Sunday 2022
  1. Opening Acclamation: from Psalm 27:1.
  2. Organ prelude: Jeremiah Clarke (1674-1707), “Prince of Denmark March”, Performed by Michael Rondeau, available in the public domain, at MusOpen.org.
  3. First Reading: Deuteronomy 30:15-20, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 1, King James Version.
  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: Philemon 1:1-21, World English Bible.
  7. Hymn: “Crown Him with Many Crowns”, public domain.
  8. Gospel: Luke 14:25-33, World English Bible.
  9. Lord’s Prayer: From the Book of Common Prayer 1662.  
  10. Benediction: From the Book of Common Prayer 1662.
  11. Postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) “Fantasia and Fugue”, BWV 562, performed by Gosse Hulzinga, in the public domain at MusOpen.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.

14Aug

Celebration in Word and Music for the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost 2022: The Feast of St Mary the Virgin

In many churches, this Sunday (or a day near it) is set aside to honor Mary, the mother of Jesus. While keeping the usual lectionary readings for the 10th Sunday after Pentecost, I will nonetheless add in some music from the rich tradition of celebrating Mary. Enjoy.

Pentecost 10th Sunday 2022
  1. Opening Acclamation: from Psalm 51
  2. First Reading: Jeremiah 23:23-29.
  3. Anthem: Pascale Colasse (1649-1709), “Beata Es Maria”, uploaded to YouTube by “L Jeanne”, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  4. Psalm 82, 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: Hebrews 11:29-12:2, 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: Luke 12:49-56, 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.

10Apr

Palm Sunday 2022

Palm Sunday 2022
  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 Luke 23:1–49, World English Bible.
  7. “Lord Have Mercy”: Sung by Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, in 1982, available in public domain at Wikimedia Commons, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
  9. Blessing: The “Aaronic blessing” From Deuteronomy.
  10. Amen: Sung by Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, in 1982, available in public domain at Wikimedia Commons, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  11. Organ Postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Chorale Prelude on “Herzlich tut mich verlangen”, BWV 727, performed by Leon Kopecny on Hauptwerk VI, using the Sonus Paradisi Sample Set of the 1695 Schnitger Organ in Noordbroek, Netherlands. This is available on YouTube, 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.

27Feb

A Celebration of Word and Music for Transfiguration Sunday 2022

Transfiguration Sunday 2022
  1. Opening acclamation: Psalm 27:1.
  2. Hymn: “O Worship the King”, Uploaded to YouTube by “bhepure isidoro”; Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  3. First Reading: Exodus 34:29-35, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 99, King James Version.
  5. Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2, World English Bible.
  6. Hymn: “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind”, Stanza 5. From a 2012 recording by Immanuel UCC Hartford, available in the public domain at Archive.org.
  7. Gospel: Luke 9:28-36, World English Bible.
  8. The Lord’s Prayer: From Luke.
  9. Blessing:  The Aaronic Blessing from Numbers 6.
  10. Organ Postlude: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) “Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern” BWV 739, performed by Thorston Ahlrichs on Christian Vater Orgel (1722) in Bockhorn, St. Cosmas und Damian, 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.