Tag: Year C

29Jun

Celebration of the Word for the 3rd Sunday After Pentecost 2025

  1. Opening Acclamation from Psalm 51:15. 
  2. Hymn: “This is My Father’s World.” Public domain
  3. First Reading: 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21, World English Bible.
  4. Hymn: “How Great Thou Art”, Sung by George Beverly Shea, organ by Diane Bish, from “Joy of Music” program 8303, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
  5. Psalm 16, King James Version.
  6. Gloria Patri: From a live service at the First Presbyterian Church of Wolcott. Used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  7. Second Reading: Galatians 5:1, 13-25, World English Bible.
  8. Organ Sequence: “Oh Spirit of The Living God”, Public domain.
  9. Gospel: Luke 9:51-62, World English Bible.
  10. The Lord’s Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer 1662.
  11. Benediction from the Book of Common Prayer 1662.
  12. Choral Amen. 

Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain.

22Jun

Celebration of the Word for the Second Sunday after Pentecost 2022 (Corpus Christi Sunday)

  1. Opening Acclamation from John 6: “I am the bread of life.”
  2. Prelude: “At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing”, for organ, by unknown performer. Public domain.
  3. First Reading: Isaiah 65:1-9, King James Bible.
  4. Psalm 22:19-28.
  5. Motet: Sebastian de Vivanco (1551-1622), “O quam suavis est”, performed by Ars Musica, available in Public Domain at Archive.org.  Translation: “O how sweet is thy spirit, Lord, thou who, in order to demonstrate thy sweetness to thy children, send down from heaven the sweetest bread unsurpassed, filling the hungry with good things, sending away empty the disdainful rich!”
  6. Second Reading: Galatians 3:23-29, World English Bible.
  7. Motet: “Pange Lingua (de Vézelay) – fr Jean-Baptiste de la Sainte Famille”, performed by unknown performers, used in accordance with Creative Commons license. The text is a medieval hymn for the feast of Corpus Christi written by St. Thomas Aquinas. First stanza in English: “Sing, my tongue, the Saviour’s glory, Of His Flesh, the mystery sing; Of the Blood, all price exceeding, Shed by our Immortal King, Destined, for the world’s redemption, From a noble Womb to spring…” (This is a long text; for the full Latin version and two translations into English, check out this page from Wikipedia).
  8. Gospel: Luke 8:26-39, 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: Antonio de Cabezón (1510-1566), “Pange Lingua” performed by organist Riyehee Hong at Santa Iglesia Cathedral, Murcia, Used in accordance with Creative Commons license.

Bible passages were recorded by Librivox, and are in the public domain.

15Jun

Celebration for the First Sunday after Pentecost (Trinity Sunday)

  1. Opening Acclamation and Prelude: “Holy Holy Holy” by Diane Bish, organist, used in accordance with Creative Commons License.
  2. Lesson 1: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 King James Bible.
  3. Psalm 8: Responsorial Psalm by Lionel Valdellon. Used in accordance with Creative Commons license. 
  4. Lesson 2: Romans 5:1-5, World English Bible.
  5. 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.
  6. Gospel: John 16:12-15, World English Bible.
  7. The Lord’s Prayer: From Matthew 6, King James Version.
  8. Closing blessing
  9. Amen: From the Magnificat by Orlando Gibbons, excerpted from a live service sung by the Choir of St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue in May 2011. (Fair use).
  10. Brass postlude: Canzona ‘La Foresta”
08Jun

The Day of Pentecost 2025

  1. Opening acclamation, Psalm 51:15.
  2. Hymn: “O Spirit of the Living God”, sung at Immanuel Congregational Church in 2013, in the public domain at Archive.org.
  3. Lesson 1: Acts 2:1-21 World English Bible.
  4. 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.”
  5. Psalm 104:24-34, 35b.
  6. Lesson 2: Romans 8:22-27, World English Bible.
  7. Motet: Thomas Tallis (1505-1585): “If Ye Love Me”, sung by Coro Santo Pazienza, in the Cathedral of Pontremoli, Tuscany, in 2017, available on Wikimedia Commons and used in accordance with Creative Commons License
  8. Gospel: John 14:8-17, World English Bible.
  9. The Lord’s Prayer, and Benediction: From the Book of Common Prayer, 1662.
  10. Organ postlude: “Veni Creator Spiritus” by Rien van Binnendijk at Esztergom, used in accordance with Creative Commons license.
30May

Music and Readings for the Ascension

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.

  1. Opening acclamation: Psalm 47:5.
  2. Hymn: “Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise”, Public Domain.
  3. Lesson 1: Acts 1:1-11, World English Bible.
  4. 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. 
  5. Psalm 93, King James Version.
  6. Lesson 1: Ephesians 1:15-23, World English Bible.
  7. Hymn: “Rejoice, the Lord is King” by unknown soloist. Uploaded to YouTube by Christina Iqupen, and used in accordance with the Creative Commons license.
  8. Gospel: Luke 24:44-53, 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. 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.
25May

Celebration for the Sixth Sunday of Easter

  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.
18May

Fifth Sunday of Easter 2025

  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.

12May

Celebration for the Fourth Sunday of Easter

  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.
04May

Celebration for the Third Sunday of Easter 2025

  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, from Holy Bible, 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.
27Apr

Celebration for the Second Sunday of Easter 2025

  • 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.