The Third Sunday after Pentecost
The readings for June 25 were:
1 Samuel 17: (1a, 4-11, 19-23), 32-49
Psalm 9:9-20
2 Corinthians 6:1-13
Mark 4:35-41
Our first hymn was A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.
The text is by Martin Luther, translated by Frederick H. Hedge. The tune is Ein Feste Burg.
1. A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood
of mortal ills prevaling.
For still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
2. Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right man on our side,
the man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabbaoth, his name,
from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.
3. And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo, his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.
4. That word above all earthly powers,
no thanks to them, abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours,
thru him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill;
God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever.
We had the liturgical dance ensemble at church this week. They had small groups dancing at all of the downtown churches. The choir sang Amazing Grace while they danced. The men sang verse three in a minor key.
1. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
was blind, but now I see.
2. 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed.
3. Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
'tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
4. The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be,
as long as life endures.
5. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
a life of joy and peace.
6. When we've been there ten thousand years,
bright shining as the sun,
we've no less days to sing God's praise
than when we first begun.
Our second hymn was
Stand by Me, written by Charles Albert Tindley. Charles Albert Tindley (1851-1933) was one of the most famous African American Methodist ministers of his era and has been called "one of the founding fathers of African American gospel music.” The hymn is great, but I always find that the congregation has trouble with the rhythm of this hymn.
When the storms of life are raging, stand by me, stand by me.
When the storms of life are raging, stand by me, stand by me.
When the world is tossing me, like a ship upon the sea,
Thou who rulest wind and water, stand by me, stand by me.
In the midst of faults and failures, stand by me, stand by me.
In the midst of faults and failures, stand by me, stand by me.
When I’ve done the best I can, and my friends misunderstand,
Thou who knowest all about me, stand by me, stand by me.
When I’m growing old and feeble, stand by me, stand by me.
When I’m growing old and feeble, stand by me, stand by me.
When my life becomes a burden, and I‘m nearing chilly Jordan,
O thou Lily of the Valley, stand by me, stand by me.
The choir anthem was a setting of
It Is Well with My Soul by Horatio Spafford set to the tune Ville de Havre by Philip Bliss. The name of the tune is the name of the lost ship on which Spafford’s children perished. This is a difficult hymn for me to sing because it brings to mind the funeral of a friend who died in a plane crash this spring.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
Refrain
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Refrain
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
Refrain
But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!
Refrain
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Refrain
Our final hymn was Precious Lord, Take My Hand by Thomas A. Dorsey, set to an adaptation of the tune Maitland by George Alen. Dorsey wrote the hymn after the death of his wife Nettie in childbirth.
Precious Lord, take my hand,
Lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light:
Refrain
Take my hand, precious Lord,
Lead me home.
When my way grows drear,
Precious Lord, linger near,
When my life is almost gone,
Hear my cry, hear my call,
Hold my hand lest I fall:
Refrain
When the darkness appears
And the night draws near,
And the day is past and gone,
At the river I stand,
Guide my feet, hold my hand:
Refrain
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Sunday, June 18, 2006
The Second Sunday after Pentecost
The readings for June 18 were:
Psalm 20
1 Samuel 15:34-16:13
2 Corinthians 5:6-10, (11-13), 14-17
Mark 4:26-34
The service wasn’t well attended today. I think the summer vacations have begun. We had a lay leader give the sermon today. He preached from Psalm 20, connecting it to Father’s Day. He was pretty good for a layman. We had a guest organist also today.
Our first hymn was Love Divine, All Loves Excelling by Charles Wesley, set to the hymn tune Beecher by John Zundel.
1. Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heaven, to earth come down;
fix in us thy humble dwelling;
all thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation;
enter every trembling heart.
2. Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit
into every troubled breast!
Let us all in thee inherit;
let us find that second rest.
Take away our bent to sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
end of faith, as its beginning,
set our hearts at liberty.
3. Come, Almighty to deliver,
let us all thy life receive;
suddenly return and never,
nevermore thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray and praise thee without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.
4. Finish, then, thy new creation;
pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee;
changed from glory into glory,
till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise.
The second hymn was More Love to Thee, O Christ by Elizabeth P. Prentiss. The hymn tune is More Love to Thee by William H. Doane.
1. More love to thee, O Christ, more love to thee!
Hear thou the prayer I make on bended knee.
This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ, to thee;
more love to thee, more love to thee!
2. Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest;
now thee alone I seek, give what is best.
This all my prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to thee;
more love to thee, more love to thee!
3. Let sorrow do its work, come grief and pain;
sweet are thy messengers, sweet their refrain,
when they can sing with me: More love, O Christ, to thee;
more love to thee, more love to thee!
4. Then shall my latest breath whisper thy praise;
this be the parting cry my heart shall raise;
this still its prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to thee;
more love to thee, more love to thee!
Our anthem was Song of the Mustard Seed by Hal Hopson. It was very easy, which is important because we’ve stopped having choir practice until September. We’ll practice a few easy anthems every Sunday before the service.
The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed;
For when it is sown in the earth in the spring,
It is the least of all seeds in the earth.
But when it is watered it grows, it grows
And is the greatest of all herbs.
Wherever you go sow a seed along the way.
A seed of joy however small it be
May some day grow into a tree.
(Refrain)
Wherever you go sow a seed along the way.
A seed of faith however small it be
May some day grow into a tree.
(Refrain)
The final hymn was The Church's One Foundation by Samuel J. Stone. The hymn tune is Aurelia by Samuel Sebastian Wesley, the grandson of Charles Wesley.
1. The church's one foundation
is Jesus Christ her Lord;
she is his new creation
by water and the Word.
From heaven he came and sought her
to be his holy bride;
with his own blood he bought her,
and for her life he died.
2. Elect from every nation,
yet one o'er all the earth;
her charter of salvation,
one Lord, one faith, one birth;
one holy name she blesses,
partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses,
with every grace endued.
3. Though with a scornful wonder
we see her sore oppressed,
by schisms rent asunder,
by heresies distressed,
yet saints their watch are keeping;
their cry goes up, "How long?"
And soon the night of weeping
shall be the morn of song.
4. Mid toil and tribulation,
and tumult of her war,
she waits the consummation
of peace forevermore;
till, with the vision glorious,
her longing eyes are blest,
and the great church victorious
shall be the church at rest.
5. Yet she on earth hath union
with God the Three in One,
and mystic sweet communion
with those whose rest is won.
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
like them, the meek and lowly,
on high may dwell with thee.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Trinity Sunday
Trinity Sunday
The readings for the first Sunday after Pentecost, June 11 were:
Isaiah 6:1-8
Psalm 29
Romans 8:12-17
John 3:1-17
Our introit hymn was We Believe in One True God by Tobias Clausnitzer in the mid-seventeenth century and translated by Catherine Winkworth. Good old Catherine Winkworth!
The hymntune is Ratisbon by J.G. Werner.
1. We believe in one true God,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
ever present help in need,
praised by all the heavenly host;
by whose mighty power alone
all is made and wrought and done.
2. We believe in Jesus Christ,
Son of God and Mary's Son,
who descended from his throne
and for us salvation won;
by whose cross and death are we
rescued from sin's misery.
3. We confess the Holy Ghost,
who from both fore'er proceeds;
who upholds and comforts us
in all trials, fears, and needs.
Blest and Holy Trinity,
praise forever be to thee!
Our opening hymn was Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty by Reginald Heber. The hymn tune is Nicaea.
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty,
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity.
Holy, holy, holy! All saints adore thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.
Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
though the sinful human eye thy glory may not see,
only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
perfect in power, in love, and purity.
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty,
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity.
The second hymn was Holy God, We Praise Thy Name by Ignaz Franz in 1774, translated by Clarence Walworth.
The hymn tune is Grosser Gott.
1. Holy God, we praise thy name;
Lord of all, we bow before thee;
all on earth thy scepter claim;
all in heaven above adore thee.
Infinite thy vast domain;
everlasting is thy reign.
2. Hark the glad celestial hymn
angel choirs above are raising;
cherubim and seraphim,
in unceasing chorus praising,
fill the heavens with sweet accord:
Holy, holy, holy Lord.
3. Lo! the apostolic train
joins thy sacred name to hallow;
prophets swell the glad refrain,
and the white-robed martyrs follow.
And from morn to set of sun,
through the church the song goes on.
4. Holy Father, Holy Son,
Holy Spirit: three we name thee,
though in essence only one;
undivided God we claim thee,
and adoring bend the knee
while we own the mystery.
Our anthem was
Make Me a Channel of Your Peace by Sebastian Temple, arranged by Mark Hayes.
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me bring your love;
Where there is injury your pardon, Lord;
And where there's doubt true faith in you.
Refrain:
Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there's despair in life let me bring hope;
Where there is darkness, only light;
And where there's sadness, ever joy.
Refrain
Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
In giving to all men that we receive;
And in dying that we're born to eternal life.
Refrain
© Copyright 1967 OCP Publications
5536 NE Hassalo, Portland, Oregon 97213, USA.
Since the sermon was based on the reading from Isaiah our last hymn was most appropriate - Here I am Lord by Daniel L Schutte. There are many who criticize this hymn, and I know that the tune sounds like the “Brady Bunch” theme, but this hymn really speaks to the congregation.
I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Chorus
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my words to them.
Whom shall I send?
Chorus
Here I am, Lord.
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will send the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide,
'Til their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?
Chorus
Here I am, Lord.
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
The readings for the first Sunday after Pentecost, June 11 were:
Isaiah 6:1-8
Psalm 29
Romans 8:12-17
John 3:1-17
Our introit hymn was We Believe in One True God by Tobias Clausnitzer in the mid-seventeenth century and translated by Catherine Winkworth. Good old Catherine Winkworth!
The hymntune is Ratisbon by J.G. Werner.
1. We believe in one true God,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
ever present help in need,
praised by all the heavenly host;
by whose mighty power alone
all is made and wrought and done.
2. We believe in Jesus Christ,
Son of God and Mary's Son,
who descended from his throne
and for us salvation won;
by whose cross and death are we
rescued from sin's misery.
3. We confess the Holy Ghost,
who from both fore'er proceeds;
who upholds and comforts us
in all trials, fears, and needs.
Blest and Holy Trinity,
praise forever be to thee!
Our opening hymn was Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty by Reginald Heber. The hymn tune is Nicaea.
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty,
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity.
Holy, holy, holy! All saints adore thee,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.
Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
though the sinful human eye thy glory may not see,
only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
perfect in power, in love, and purity.
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty,
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity.
The second hymn was Holy God, We Praise Thy Name by Ignaz Franz in 1774, translated by Clarence Walworth.
The hymn tune is Grosser Gott.
1. Holy God, we praise thy name;
Lord of all, we bow before thee;
all on earth thy scepter claim;
all in heaven above adore thee.
Infinite thy vast domain;
everlasting is thy reign.
2. Hark the glad celestial hymn
angel choirs above are raising;
cherubim and seraphim,
in unceasing chorus praising,
fill the heavens with sweet accord:
Holy, holy, holy Lord.
3. Lo! the apostolic train
joins thy sacred name to hallow;
prophets swell the glad refrain,
and the white-robed martyrs follow.
And from morn to set of sun,
through the church the song goes on.
4. Holy Father, Holy Son,
Holy Spirit: three we name thee,
though in essence only one;
undivided God we claim thee,
and adoring bend the knee
while we own the mystery.
Our anthem was
Make Me a Channel of Your Peace by Sebastian Temple, arranged by Mark Hayes.
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me bring your love;
Where there is injury your pardon, Lord;
And where there's doubt true faith in you.
Refrain:
Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there's despair in life let me bring hope;
Where there is darkness, only light;
And where there's sadness, ever joy.
Refrain
Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
In giving to all men that we receive;
And in dying that we're born to eternal life.
Refrain
© Copyright 1967 OCP Publications
5536 NE Hassalo, Portland, Oregon 97213, USA.
Since the sermon was based on the reading from Isaiah our last hymn was most appropriate - Here I am Lord by Daniel L Schutte. There are many who criticize this hymn, and I know that the tune sounds like the “Brady Bunch” theme, but this hymn really speaks to the congregation.
I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Chorus
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my words to them.
Whom shall I send?
Chorus
Here I am, Lord.
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will send the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide,
'Til their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?
Chorus
Here I am, Lord.
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Come, Holy Spirit! Pentecost,2006
The readings for today were:
Acts 2:1-21
Psalm 104: 25-35,37
Romans 8:22-27
John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
Pentecost is always a big day. In addition to our celebration of the Pentecost this is the day for Confirmation. The class was big, as usual. There were 31 confirmands this year.
Our introit hymn was Come, Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire. This 8th century hymn is attributed to Rhabanus Maurus. It was translated by John Cosin in 1627. The tune is Veni Creator .
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire, and lighten with celestial fire.
Thou the anointing Spirit art, who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.
Thy blessed unction from above is comfort, life, and fire of love.
Enable with perpetual light the dullness of our blinded sight.
Anoint and cheer our soiled face with the abundance of thy grace.
Keep far from foes, give peace at home: where thou art guide, no ill can come.
Teach us to know the Father, Son, and thee, of both, to be but One,
that through the ages all along, this may be our endless song:
Praise to thy eternal merit, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The processional hymn was Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones written by John Athelstan Laurie Riley. The tune is Lasst Uns Erfeuen harmonized by Ralph Vaughan Williams. The procession was long because each of the confirmands and their sponsors brought in candles to place on the altar. It’s always a splendid sight.
1. Ye watchers and ye holy ones, bright seraphs, cherubim, and thrones,
raise the glad strain, Alleluia!
Cry out, dominions, princedoms, powers, virtues, archangels, angels' choirs:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
2. O higher than the cherubim, more glorious than the seraphim,
lead their praises, Alleluia!
Thou bearer of th' eternal Word, most gracious, magnify the Lord:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
3. Respond, ye souls in endless rest, ye patriarchs and prophets blest,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Ye holy twelve, ye martyrs strong, all saints triumphant, raise the song:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
4. O friends, in gladness let us sing, supernal anthems echoing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
To God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit, Three in One:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Our anthem was Veni Sancte Spiritus by Charles Hogan. It was unusual and very difficult. It began as a chant and then changed to a Caribbean rhythm with maracas and tambourine. The text is from a 12th century Latin hymn, translated by Charles P. Price.
Come, thou Holy Spirit bright; come with thy celestial light; pour on us thy love divine.
Come, protector of the poor; come, thou source of blessings sure; come within our hearts to shine.
Thou, of comforters the best, thou, the soul's most welcome guest, of our peace thou art the sign.
In our labor, be our aid; in our summer, cooling shade. Every bitter hear refine.
Brighter than the noonday sun, fill our lives which Christ has won;
fill our hearts and make them thine.
Where thou art not, we have nought:
all our word and deed and thought twisted from thy true design.
Bend the stubborn heart and will; melt the frozen, warm the chill; rule us by thy judgment's line.
Cleanse us with thy healing power; what is barren bring to flower; to thy love our sins consign.
To thy people who adore and confess thee evermore, thy blest sevenfold gift assign.
Grant us thy salvation, Lord, boundless mercy our reward, joys which earth and heaven entwine.
The second hymn was Holy Spirit, Come Confirm Us by Brian Foley. It is set to the tune For the Bread Which Thou Has Broken by V. Earle Copes.
Holy Spirit, come, confirm us in the truth that Christ makes known;
We have faith and understanding through your helping gifts alone.
Holy Spirit, come, console us, come as advocate to plead;
Loving Spirit from the Father, grant in Christ the help we need.
Holy Spirit, come, renew us, come yourself to make us free;
Holy through your loving presence, holy through the gifts you give.
Holy Spirit, come, possess us, you the love of Three in One,
Holy Spirit of the Father, Holy Spirit of the Son.
The Communion hymns were: Spirit Song and Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.
Spirit Song
O let the Son of God enfold you with His Spirit and His love
Let him fill your heart and satisfy your soul
O let him have the things that hold you and His Spirit like a dove
Will descend up-on your life and make you whole.
Chorus;
Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs, Jesus, O Jesus, come and fill your lambs,
O come and sing this song of gladness as your hearts all filled with joy.
Lift your hands in sweet surrender to His name
O give Him all your tears and sadness; give Him all your years of pain,
And you'll enter into life in Jesus' name.
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.
The text is from the fourth century Liturgy of St. James; translated by Gerard Moultrie. The tune is the French carol Picardy.
Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly minded, for with blessing in his hand
Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand.
King of kings, yet born of Mary, as of old on earth he stood,
Lord of lords in human vesture, in the Body and the Blood
he will give to all the faithful his own self for heavenly food.
Rank on rank the host of heaven spreads its vanguard on the way,
as the Light of Light descendeth from the realms of endless day,
that the powers of hell may vanish as the darkness clears away.
At his feet the six-winged seraph; cherubim with sleepless eye,
veil their faces to the Presence, as with ceaseless voice they cry,
Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, Lord Most High!
The closing hymn was We Are the Church by Richard K. Avery and Donald S. Marsh in 1972. It always reminds me of the years my husband and I spent teaching Sunday School and confirmation classes. This song has been popular since it was first written. We sang this song in the Sunday School classes we taught, and at Vacation Bible School classes and with Ecumenical meetings. It’s not great music, but we all love it.
I am the church. You are the church. We are the church together. All who follow Jesus, all around the world, yes, we’re the church together.
The church is not a building, the church is not a steeple, the church is not a resting place, the church is a people.
I am the church. You are the church. We are the church together. All who follow Jesus, all around the world, yes, we’re the church together.
We’re many kinds of people with many kinds of faces, all colors and all ages too, from all times and places.
I am the church. You are the church. We are the church together. All who follow Jesus, all around the world, yes, we’re the church together.
And when the people gather, there’s singing and there’s praying, there’s laughing and there’s crying sometimes, all of it saying:
I am the church. You are the church. We are the church together. All who follow Jesus, all around the world, yes, we’re the church together
At Pentecost some people received the Holy Spirit
And told the Good News through the world to all who would hear it.
I am the church! You are the church! We are the church together!All who follow Jesus, all around the world, Yes, we are the church together!
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Ascension Sunday
Ascension Sunday
May 28, 2006
The readings for today were:
Acts 1:1-11
Psalm 47
Ephesians 1:15-23
Luke 24:44-53
Our associate pastor preached today and chose to concentrate on Memorial Day instead on the Ascension of Christ. Not to my liking. The hymns reflected this, but the choir stuck to the liturgy in our introit and anthem.
Our introit was the hymn Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise by Charles Wesley set to the tune Llanfair Robert Williams.
Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia!
to his throne above the skies; Alleluia!
Christ, the Lamb for sinners given, Alleluia!
enters now the highest heaven! Alleluia!
There for him high triumph waits; Alleluia!
lift your heads, eternal gates! Alleluia!
he hath conquered death and sin; Alleluia!
take the King of glory in! Alleluia!
Lo! the heaven its Lord receives, Alleluia!
yet he loves the earth he leaves; Alleluia!
though returning to his throne, Alleluia!
still he calls mankind his own. Alleluia!
See! he lifts his hands above; Alleluia!
See! he shows the prints of love: Alleluia!
Hark! his gracious lips bestow, Alleluia!
blessings on his Church below. Alleluia!
Still for us he intercedes, Alleluia!
his prevailing death he pleads, Alleluia!
near himself prepares our place, Alleluia!
he the first fruits of our race. Alleluia!
Lord, though parted from our sight, Alleluia!
far above the starry height, Alleluia!
grant our hearts may thither rise, Alleluia!
seeking thee above the skies. Alleluia!
There we shall with thee remain, Alleluia!
partners of thy eternal reign, Alleluia!
there thy face forever see, Alleluia!
find our heaven of heavens in thee, Alleluia!
The second hymn was the old fashioned favorite He Lives! written by Alfred H. Ackley in 1933.
I serve a risen Savior, He's in the world today;
I know that He is living, whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer
And just the time I need Him He's always near.
Refrain
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.
In all the world around me I see His loving care,
And tho' my heart grows weary I never will despair;
I know that He is leading thru all the stormy blast,
The day of His appearing will come at last.
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing,
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find,
None other is so loving, so good and kind
Our anthem was The Lamb Is Reigning on His Throne by Gerald Coleman, set by Mark Hayes. It’s not great music, but is quite moving when sung well by a large choir. Unfortunately today our choir was small, and we didn’t sing very well.
The Lamb, the Lamb. O Father, where’s the sacrifice?
Faith sees, believes God will provide the Lamb of price!
Worthy is the Lamb whose death makes me his own!
The Lamb is reigning on His Throne!
The Lamb, the Lamb, as wayward sheep their shepherd kill.
So still, his will on our behalf the Law to fill.
Worthy is the Lamb whose death makes me his own!
The Lamb is reigning on His Throne!
He sighs, He dies, He takes my sin and wretchedness.
He lives, forgives, He gives me his own righteousness.
Worthy is the Lamb whose death makes me his own!
The Lamb is reigning on His Throne!
He rose, He rose, my heart with thanks now overflows.
His song prolong ‘Til every heart to him belong.
Worthy is the Lamb whose death makes me his own!
The Lamb is reigning on His Throne!
The third hymn was America by Samuel F. Smith.
1. My country,' tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing;
land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrims' pride,
from every mountainside let freedom ring!
2. My native country, thee, land of the noble free, thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills, thy woods and templed hills;
my heart with rapture thrills, like that above.
3. Let music swell the breeze, and ring from all the trees sweet freedom's song;
let mortal tongues awake; let all that breathe partake;
let rocks their silence break, the sound prolong.
4. Our fathers' God, to thee, author of liberty, to thee we sing;
long may our land be bright with freedom's holy light;
protect us by thy might, great God, our King.
Our final hymn was also patriotic Katherine Lee Bates’ wonderful America the Beautiful. The hymn tune is Materna by Samuel A. Ward.
1. O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain;
for purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed his grace on thee,
and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.
2. O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife,
who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life!
America! America! May God thy gold refine,
till all success be nobleness, and every gain divine.
3. O beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years
thine alabaster cities gleam, undimmed by human tears!
America! America! God mend thine every flaw,
confirm thy soul in self-control, thy liberty in law.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Sixth Sunday after Easter
Sixth Sunday after Easter
May 21, 2006
What were the hymns for May 14? I don’t know. It was Youth Sunday, and this is one service I try to avoid whenever I can. Had my grandson been in town he would have played drums, and I would have gone to church. But since he was in North Carolina for the weekend I just skipped church. Youth Sunday sounds like a good idea, but it’s usually pretty awful. Not the kind of worship experience I really need.
This Sunday was wonderful. The readings for today were:
Acts 10:44-48
Psalm 98
1 John 5:1-6
John 15:9-17
The first hymn was Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, written by Joachim Neander 1680, translated by Catherine Winkworth in 1863. The hymn tune is Lobe den Herren (also known as Praxis pietatis) from the Stralsung Gesangbuch from 1665.
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise him, for he is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to his temple draw near;
praise him in glad adoration.
Praise to the Lord, who over all things so wondrously reigneth,
shelters thee under his wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
granted in what he ordaineth?
Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
surely his goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
if with his love he befriend thee.
Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before him.
Let the amen
sound from his people again,
gladly for all we adore him.
For the Psalter the choir sang the anthem Sing to the Lord by Lloyd Larson.
The second hymn was Help Us Accept Each Other by Fred Kaan © 1975 Hope Pub. Co. It isn't a particularly wonderful hymn tune, but the text was perfect for the Gospel reading and the sermon today.
Help us accept each other as Christ accepted us;
Teach us as sister, brother, each person to embrace.
Be present, God, among us, and bring us to believe
We are ourselves accepted and meant to love and live.
Teach us, O God, your lessons, as in our daily life
We struggle to be human and search for hope and faith.
Teach us to care for people, for all, not just for some,
To love them as we find them, or as they may become.
Let your acceptance change us, so that we may be moved
In living situations to do the truth in love;
To practice your acceptance, until we know by heart
The table of forgiveness and laughter's healing art.
God, for today's encounters with all who are in need,
Who hunger for acceptance, for righteousness and bread,
Bring us new eyes for seeing, new hands for holding on;
Renew us with your Spirit; God! Free us, make us one!
Our anthem was Gloria in Excelsis from Messe 12, which once was attributed to Mozart. Most scholars now believe someone else composed this in Mozart’s style. It was lovely, and we sang it fairly well.
The final hymn was In Christ There Is No East or West written by John Oxenham. Our current hymnal sets this text to the tune McKee and African-America spiritual, adapted and harmonized by Harry T. Burleigh. It is more commonly sung to the tune St.Peter.
In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north;
but one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth.
In Christ shall true hearts everywhere their high communion find;
his service is the golden cord close binding humankind.
In Christ now meet both east and west, in him meet south and north;
all Christly souls are one in him throughout the whole wide earth.
May 21, 2006
What were the hymns for May 14? I don’t know. It was Youth Sunday, and this is one service I try to avoid whenever I can. Had my grandson been in town he would have played drums, and I would have gone to church. But since he was in North Carolina for the weekend I just skipped church. Youth Sunday sounds like a good idea, but it’s usually pretty awful. Not the kind of worship experience I really need.
This Sunday was wonderful. The readings for today were:
Acts 10:44-48
Psalm 98
1 John 5:1-6
John 15:9-17
The first hymn was Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, written by Joachim Neander 1680, translated by Catherine Winkworth in 1863. The hymn tune is Lobe den Herren (also known as Praxis pietatis) from the Stralsung Gesangbuch from 1665.
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise him, for he is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to his temple draw near;
praise him in glad adoration.
Praise to the Lord, who over all things so wondrously reigneth,
shelters thee under his wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
granted in what he ordaineth?
Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
surely his goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
if with his love he befriend thee.
Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before him.
Let the amen
sound from his people again,
gladly for all we adore him.
For the Psalter the choir sang the anthem Sing to the Lord by Lloyd Larson.
The second hymn was Help Us Accept Each Other by Fred Kaan © 1975 Hope Pub. Co. It isn't a particularly wonderful hymn tune, but the text was perfect for the Gospel reading and the sermon today.
Help us accept each other as Christ accepted us;
Teach us as sister, brother, each person to embrace.
Be present, God, among us, and bring us to believe
We are ourselves accepted and meant to love and live.
Teach us, O God, your lessons, as in our daily life
We struggle to be human and search for hope and faith.
Teach us to care for people, for all, not just for some,
To love them as we find them, or as they may become.
Let your acceptance change us, so that we may be moved
In living situations to do the truth in love;
To practice your acceptance, until we know by heart
The table of forgiveness and laughter's healing art.
God, for today's encounters with all who are in need,
Who hunger for acceptance, for righteousness and bread,
Bring us new eyes for seeing, new hands for holding on;
Renew us with your Spirit; God! Free us, make us one!
Our anthem was Gloria in Excelsis from Messe 12, which once was attributed to Mozart. Most scholars now believe someone else composed this in Mozart’s style. It was lovely, and we sang it fairly well.
The final hymn was In Christ There Is No East or West written by John Oxenham. Our current hymnal sets this text to the tune McKee and African-America spiritual, adapted and harmonized by Harry T. Burleigh. It is more commonly sung to the tune St.Peter.
In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north;
but one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth.
In Christ shall true hearts everywhere their high communion find;
his service is the golden cord close binding humankind.
In Christ now meet both east and west, in him meet south and north;
all Christly souls are one in him throughout the whole wide earth.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
The Good Shepherd
Fourth Sunday of Easter, Good Shepherd Sunday - I found this Chinese painter's interpretation of the Gospel reading for this Sunday.
The readings for May 6 were:
Acts 4:5-12
Psalm 23
1 John 3:16-24
John 10:11-18
Our introit hymn was The King of Love My Shepherd Is set to the tune St. Columba. The hymn was written by Henry Williams Baker.
The King of love my shepherd is,
whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his,
and he is mine for ever.
Where streams of living water flow,
my ransomed soul he leadeth,
and where the verdant pastures grow,
with food celestial feedeth.
Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
but yet in love He sought me,
and on his shoulder gently laid,
and home, rejoicing, brought me.
In death's dark vale I fear no ill
with thee, dear Lord, beside me;
thy rod and staff my comfort still,
thy cross before to guide me.
Thou spread'st a table in my sight;
thy unction grace bestoweth;
and O what transport of delight
from thy pure chalice floweth!
And so through all the length of days
thy goodness faileth never:
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
within thy house for ever.
The processional hymn was Lift High the Cross. The original 12 stanzas of this missionary hymn were written by George Kitchin as a processional for a festival to be held in June 1887 in Winchester Cathedral. It is based on John 12:32, “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” Several alterations have been made in the lyrics to change some of the male-oriented language. Some of words were written by Michael Robert Newbolt, also an English composer and church musician.
Sydney Hugo Nicholson, founder of the School of English Church Music, and organist for nine years at Westminster Abbey composed the aptly titled hymn tune Crucifer.
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,
Till all the world adore His sacred Name.
Come, Christians, follow where our Captain trod,
Our King victorious, Christ, the Son of God.
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,
Till all the world adore His sacred Name.
Led on their way by this triumphant sign,
The hosts of God in conquering ranks combine.
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,
Till all the world adore His sacred Name.
All newborn soldiers of the Crucified
Bear on their brows the seal of Him Who died.
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,
Till all the world adore His sacred Name.
O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,
As Thou hast promised, draw us all to Thee.
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,
Till all the world adore His sacred Name.
So shall our song of triumph ever be:
Praise to the Crucified for victory!
Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,
Till all the world adore His sacred Name.
Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us written by Dorothy A. Thrupp (1779-1847). The hymn tune was composed by William B. Bradbury (1816-1868) and is simply called Bradbury.
1. Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
much we need thy tender care;
in thy pleasant pastures feed us,
for our use thy folds prepare.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast bought us, thine we are.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast bought us, thine we are.
2. We are thine, thou dost befriend us,
be the guardian of our way;
keep thy flock, from sin defend us,
seek us when we go astray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Hear, O hear us when we pray.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Hear, O hear us when we pray.
3. Thou hast promised to receive us,
poor and sinful though we be;
thou hast mercy to relieve us,
grace to cleanse and power to free.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
We will early turn to thee.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
We will early turn to thee.
4. Early let us seek thy favor,
early let us do thy will;
blessed Lord and only Savior,
with thy love our bosoms fill.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
Our anthem was Haydn’s Lo, My Shepherd’s Hand Divine, a two-part women’s anthem. This would have been bad because the sopranos outnumber us altos four to one, but at the last minute I persuaded my daughter Katie to sit in with us, even tough she was tired from leading choirs at the first service and then teaching music to children’s classes for an hour. It sounded pretty good.
Lo, my shepherd’s hand divine,
Want shall nevermore, shall nevermore be mine.
When I faint with summer’s heat,
He shall lead; He shall lead my weary feet.
To the streams that still and slow,
Still and slow, through the verdant meadows flow,
When I faint with summer’s heat, He shall lead my weary feet
To the streams, to the streams, that still and slow,
Through the verdant meadows flow.
To the streams that through the meadows flow,
Through the verdant meadows flow.
Our Communion hymns were:
Come Share the Lord
We gather here, in Jesus' name,
His love is burning in our hearts like living flame,
for through the loving Son, the Father makes us one,
come take the bread come drink the wine come share the Lord.
No one is a stranger here, everyone belongs,
finding our forgiveness here, we in turn forgive all wrongs,
He joins us here, He breaks the bread,
the Lord who pours the cup is risen from the dead,
the One we love the most, is now our gracious host,
come take the bread come drink the wine come share the Lord.
We are now a family, of which the Lord is head,
though unseen He meets us here, in the breaking of the bread.
We'll gather soon, where angels sing,
we'll see the glory of our Lord and coming King,
now we anticipate, the feast for which we wait,
come take the bread come drink the wine come share the Lord.
Sing Alleluia to the Lord
Lift up your hearts unto the Lord. Lift up your hearts unto the Lord.
Sing alleluia, sing alleluia;
Lift up your hearts unto the Lord. Lift up your hearts unto the Lord.
Sing alleluia, Alleluia;
Lift up your hearts unto the Lord.
He is the bread of life. He is the bread of life.
Sing alleluia, sing alleluia;
He is the bread of life. He is the bread of life.
Sing alleluia, Alleluia;
He is the bread of life.
His resurrection sets us free. His resurrection sets us free.
Sing alleluia, sing alleluia;
His resurrection sets us free. His resurrection sets us free.
Sing alleluia, Alleluia;
His resurrection sets us free.
Therefore we celebrate the feast. Therefore we celebrate the feast.
Sing alleluia, sing alleluia;
Therefore we celebrate the feast. Therefore we celebrate the feast.
Sing alleluia, Alleluia;
Therefore we celebrate the feast.
Become to Us the Living Bread by Miriam Drury set to the tune Gelobt Sei Gott.
Become to Us the Living Bread Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Become to use the living bread by which the Christian life is fed, renewed, and greatly comforted.
Become the never-failing wine, the spring of joy that shall incline our hearts to bear the covenant sign,
May Christians all with one accord unite around the sacred board to praise your holy name, O Lord, Alleluia! Alleluia!
The final hymn was Jesus Calls Us by Cecil Frances Alexander, (1818-1895). Mrs. Alexander was the wife of William Alexander, Anglican Bishop of Derry. She wrote over 400 hymns, including All Things Bright and Beautiful and Once in Royal David’s City. The tune was composed by William H. Jude and is titled Galilee
1. Jesus calls us o'er the tumult
of our life's wild, restless sea;
day by day his sweet voice soundeth,
saying, "Christian, follow me!"
2. As of old the apostles heard it
by the Galilean lake,
turned from home and toil and kindred,
leaving all for Jesus' sake.
3. Jesus calls us from the worship
of the vain world's golden store,
from each idol that would keep us,
saying, "Christian, love me more!"
4. In our joys and in our sorrows,
days of toil and hours of ease,
still he calls, in cares and pleasures,
"Christian, love me more than these!"
5. Jesus calls us! By thy mercies,
Savior, may we hear thy call,
give our hearts to thine obedience,
serve and love thee best of all.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Third Sunday of Easter, April 30, 2006
The readings for the day were:
Acts 3:12-19
Psalm 4
1John 3:1-7
Luke 24:36b-48
We had a guest preacher from the Tower of Deliverance Church, and he preached from a different text - Mark 16:15-16 (King James Version)
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
So the hymns and anthems didn't match the sermon, but he was a powerful preacher and quite a change for our 90% white church.
Our first hymn was my favorite Ester hymn, one that is often neglected. We haven't sung it in our church for the past seven Easter seasons - Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain.
The hymn was written by John of Damascus in 750, making this one of our oldest hymns. It was translated by John Mason Neale in 1853. I think it is a wonderful commentary on the significance of Easter and the connection with Passover with Christ as the Paschal Lamb. The hymn tune is St. Kevin by Sir Arthur Sullivan. Sullivan always thought his church music and symphonic pieces were the only important things he did, and now few people remember that he composed anything but comic opera..
Come, ye faithful, raise the strain of triumphant gladness!
God hath brought his Israel into joy from sadness:
Loosed from Pharoah's bitter yoke Jacob's sons and daughters,
Led them with unmoistened foot through the Red Sea waters.
'Tis the spring of souls today: Christ hath burst his prison,
And from three days' sleep in death as a sun hath risen;
All the winter of our sins, long and dark, is flying
From his light, to whom we give laud and praise undying.
Now the queen of seasons, bright with the day of splendor,
With the royal feast of feasts, comes its joy to render;
Comes to glad Jerusalem, who with true affection
Welcomes in unwearied strains Jesus' resurrection.
Neither might the gates of death, nor the tomb's dark portal,
Nor the watchers, nor the seal hold thee as a mortal:
But today amidst the twelve thou didst stand, bestowing
That thy peace which evermore passeth human knowing.
Alleluia now we cry to our King Immortal,
Who triumphant burst the bars of the tomb's dark portal;
Alleluia, with the Son God the Father praising;
Alleluia yet again to the Spirit raising.
Our second hymn was Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee
The hymn was written by Bernard of Clairvaux in the twelfth century and translated by . Edward Caswall in 1849. The hymn tune is St. Agnes by John B. Dykes.
Jesus, the very thought of thee
with sweetness fills the breast;
but sweeter far thy face to see,
and in thy presence rest.
No voice can sing, no heart can frame,
nor can the memory find,
a sweeter sound than Jesus' Name,
the Savior of mankind.
O hope of every contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
to those who fall, how kind thou art:
how good to those who seek!
But what to those who find? Ah, this
nor tongue nor pen can show;
the love of Jesus, what it is,
none but who love him know.
Jesus, our only joy be thou,
as thou our prize wilt be;
in thee be all our glory now,
and through eternity.
The third hymn was Christ Is Alive. The hymn was written by Brian Wren in 1969. It is usually sung to the tune Truro.
Christ is alive! Let Christians sing.
The cross stands empty to the sky.
Let streets and homes with praises ring.
Love, drowned in death, shall never die.
Christ is alive! No longer bound
to distant years in Palestine,
but saving, healing, here and now,
and touching every place and time.
Not throned above, remotely high,
untouched, unmoved by human pains,
but daily, in the midst of life,
our Savior with the Father reigns.
In every insult, rift, and war
where color, scorn or wealth divide,
Christ suffers still, yet loves the more,
and lives, where even hope has died.
Women and men, in age and youth,
can feel the Spirit, hear the call,
and find the way, the life, the truth,
revealed in Jesus, freed for all.
Christ is alive, and comes to bring
good news to this and every age,
till earth and sky and ocean ring
with joy, with justice, love, and praise.
Acts 3:12-19
Psalm 4
1John 3:1-7
Luke 24:36b-48
We had a guest preacher from the Tower of Deliverance Church, and he preached from a different text - Mark 16:15-16 (King James Version)
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
So the hymns and anthems didn't match the sermon, but he was a powerful preacher and quite a change for our 90% white church.
Our first hymn was my favorite Ester hymn, one that is often neglected. We haven't sung it in our church for the past seven Easter seasons - Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain.
The hymn was written by John of Damascus in 750, making this one of our oldest hymns. It was translated by John Mason Neale in 1853. I think it is a wonderful commentary on the significance of Easter and the connection with Passover with Christ as the Paschal Lamb. The hymn tune is St. Kevin by Sir Arthur Sullivan. Sullivan always thought his church music and symphonic pieces were the only important things he did, and now few people remember that he composed anything but comic opera..
Come, ye faithful, raise the strain of triumphant gladness!
God hath brought his Israel into joy from sadness:
Loosed from Pharoah's bitter yoke Jacob's sons and daughters,
Led them with unmoistened foot through the Red Sea waters.
'Tis the spring of souls today: Christ hath burst his prison,
And from three days' sleep in death as a sun hath risen;
All the winter of our sins, long and dark, is flying
From his light, to whom we give laud and praise undying.
Now the queen of seasons, bright with the day of splendor,
With the royal feast of feasts, comes its joy to render;
Comes to glad Jerusalem, who with true affection
Welcomes in unwearied strains Jesus' resurrection.
Neither might the gates of death, nor the tomb's dark portal,
Nor the watchers, nor the seal hold thee as a mortal:
But today amidst the twelve thou didst stand, bestowing
That thy peace which evermore passeth human knowing.
Alleluia now we cry to our King Immortal,
Who triumphant burst the bars of the tomb's dark portal;
Alleluia, with the Son God the Father praising;
Alleluia yet again to the Spirit raising.
Our second hymn was Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee
The hymn was written by Bernard of Clairvaux in the twelfth century and translated by . Edward Caswall in 1849. The hymn tune is St. Agnes by John B. Dykes.
Jesus, the very thought of thee
with sweetness fills the breast;
but sweeter far thy face to see,
and in thy presence rest.
No voice can sing, no heart can frame,
nor can the memory find,
a sweeter sound than Jesus' Name,
the Savior of mankind.
O hope of every contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
to those who fall, how kind thou art:
how good to those who seek!
But what to those who find? Ah, this
nor tongue nor pen can show;
the love of Jesus, what it is,
none but who love him know.
Jesus, our only joy be thou,
as thou our prize wilt be;
in thee be all our glory now,
and through eternity.
The third hymn was Christ Is Alive. The hymn was written by Brian Wren in 1969. It is usually sung to the tune Truro.
Christ is alive! Let Christians sing.
The cross stands empty to the sky.
Let streets and homes with praises ring.
Love, drowned in death, shall never die.
Christ is alive! No longer bound
to distant years in Palestine,
but saving, healing, here and now,
and touching every place and time.
Not throned above, remotely high,
untouched, unmoved by human pains,
but daily, in the midst of life,
our Savior with the Father reigns.
In every insult, rift, and war
where color, scorn or wealth divide,
Christ suffers still, yet loves the more,
and lives, where even hope has died.
Women and men, in age and youth,
can feel the Spirit, hear the call,
and find the way, the life, the truth,
revealed in Jesus, freed for all.
Christ is alive, and comes to bring
good news to this and every age,
till earth and sky and ocean ring
with joy, with justice, love, and praise.
Monday, April 24, 2006
"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."
The readings for the Second Sunday of Easter were:
Acts 4:32-35
Psalm 133
1 John 1:1-2:2
John 20:19-31
This is the Sunday when we remember Thomas and his doubts. The second Sunday of Easter is always kind of sad. Last week we had over 1,600 at church. This week we didn’t even have a thousand. The sermon was short; there was only one anthem and no Communion service. So, we actually got out of church ten minutes early. Some might like that, but not me. We only have worship once a week now, and we should at least have a good hour. That’s one reason I really prefer the Episcopal Church. Communion is served every week, and the service is usually ninety minutes.
Our first hymn was Easter People Raise Your Voices by William M. James. The hymn tune is Regent Square by Henry T. Smart.
Easter people, raise your voices,
Sounds of heaven in earth should ring.
Christ has brought us heaven's choices;
Heavenly music, let it ring.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Easter people, let us sing.
Our second hymn was not one of my favorites -
Up from the Grave He Arose written by Robert Lowry. It can sound pretty awful, but our organist kept a brisk tempo and didn’t hold any of those long fermatas that can ruin a good hymn. So it was pleasant to sing it.
1. Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior,
waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!
Refrain:
Up from the grave he arose;
with a mighty triumph o'er his foes;
he arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
2. Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior,
vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord!
(Refrain)
3. Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior;
he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord!
(Refrain)
Our anthem was O Sons and Daughters of the King written in the late fifteenth century by Jean Tisserand. The tune is the fifteenth century French tune O Filii Et Filiae
O sons and daughters of the King,
Whom heavenly hosts in glory sing,
Today the grave has lost its sting!
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
That Easter morn, at break of day,
The faithful women went their way
To seek the tomb where Jesus lay.
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
An angel clad in white they see,
Who sit and speaks unto the three,
"Your Lord will go to Galilee."
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
That night the apostles met in fear;
Among them came their master dear
And said, "MY peace be with you here."
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
When Thomas first the tidings heard
That they had seen the risen Lord,
He doubted the disciples’ word.
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
"My pierced side, O Thomas, see,
And look upon my hands, my feet;
Not faithless but believing be."
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
No longer Thomas then denied;
He saw the feet, the hands, the side;
"You are my Lord and God!" he cried.
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
How blest are they who have not seen
And yet whose faith has constant been,
For they eternal life shall win.
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
On this most holy day of days
Be laud and jubilee and praise:
To God your hearts and voice raise.
Alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Our final hymn was Sing with All the Saints in Glory by William J. Irons, set to Beethoven’s Hymn to Joy.
1. Sing with all the saints in glory,
sing the resurrection song!
Death and sorrow, earth's dark story,
to the former days belong.
All around the clouds are breaking,
soon the storms of time shall cease;
in God's likeness we, awaking,
know the everlasting peace.
2. O what glory, far exceeding
all that eye has yet perceived!
Holiest hearts, for ages pleading,
never that full joy conceived.
God has promised, Christ prepares it,
there on high our welcome waits.
Every humble spirit shares it;
Christ has passed th'eternal gates.
3. Life eternal! heaven rejoices;
Jesus lives, who once was dead.
Join we now the deathless voices;
child of God, lift up your head!
Patriarchs from the distant ages,
saints all longing for their heaven,
prophets, psalmists, seers, and sages,
all await the glory given.
4. Life eternal! O what wonders
crowd on faith; what joy unknown,
when, amidst earth's closing thunders,
saints shall stand before the throne!
O to enter that bright portal,
see that glowing firmament;
know, with thee, O God Immortal,
"Jesus Christ whom thou has sent!"
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Christ Is Risen. He Is Risen, Indeed!
The readings for Easter Sunday, 2006 were:
Acts 10:34-43
Isaiah 25:6-9
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
John 20:1-18
We had an overflow crowd at all three services, plus a 7 am sunrise service. I think we had about 1,600 total people in church this morning. The overflow crowd had to sit in the courtyard, about 100 people out there for each service. Fortunately the rain didn’t begin until about half an hour after the last service. We had a brass quintet, Marine Corps bandsmen from Quantico, and timpani. People always expect instruments on Easter. It was hard for the choir to sing above the brass. I think a lot of the extra people were twice-a-year types, because most of them weren’t singing the hymns.
Our processional hymn was Christ the Lord Is Risen Today by Charles Wesley. The hymn tune was Lyra Davidica.
1. Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
2. Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!
3. Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!
4. Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
5. Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!
6. King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!
The second hymn was the ancient hymn The Day of Resurrection by John of Damascus; translated by John Mason Neale. The tune is called Lancashire by Henry T. Smart.
1. The day of resurrection!
Earth, tell it out abroad;
the passover of gladness,
the passover of God.
From death to life eternal,
from earth unto the sky,
our Christ hath brought us over,
with hymns of victory.
2. Our hearts be pure from evil,
that we may see aright
the Lord in rays eternal
of resurrection light;
and listening to his accents,
may hear, so calm and plain,
his own "All hail!" and, hearing,
may raise the victor strain.
3. Now let the heavens be joyful!
Let earth the song begin!
Let the round world keep triumph,
and all that is therein!
Let all things seen and unseen
their notes in gladness blend,
for Christ the Lord hath risen,
our joy that hath no end.
Our first anthem was a setting of Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat. We sang half of the anthem in Latin, half in English. The organ and brass parts were really splendid.
Our second anthem was Easter Anthem by William Billings. It is a great early American composition. It almost feels like a Sacred Harp shape note song to sing.
The Lord is ris'n indeed! Hallelujah!
Now is Christ risen from the dead,
And become the first fruits of them that slept.
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.
And did He rise? Did He rise?
Hear it, ye nations! Hear it, O ye dead!
He rose, He rose, He burst the bars of death
And triumphed o'er the grave.
Then I rose,
Then first Humanity triumphantPassed the crystal ports of light,And seized Eternal Youth.
Hail, all immortal hail, hail.
Heaven all lavish of strange gifts to all,
Thine's all the glory, ours' the boundless bliss.
We had three Communion Hymns.
I Am the Bread of Life written by Suzanne Toolan.
1. I am the bread of life; they who come to me shall not hunger;
they who believe in me shall not thrist.
No one can come to me unless the Father draw them.
Refrain: And I will raise them up, and I will raise them up,
and I will raise them up on the last day.
2. The Bread that I will give is my Flesh for the life of the world,
and they who eat of this bread, they shall live for ever, they shall live for ever.
Refrain
3. Unless you eat of the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink of his Blood,
you shall not have life within you, you shall not have life within you.
Refrain
4. I am the resurrection, I am the life.
They who believe in me, even if they die, they shall live for ever.
Refrain
5. Yes, Lord we believe that you are the Christ,
the Son of God who has come into the world.
Refrain
The second Communion hymn was Hymn of Promise by Natalie Sleeth
In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity,
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
The final Communion hymn was He Lives
I serve a risen Saviour, He' s in the world today;
I know that He is living, whatever men may say,
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him, He' s always near.
Refrain:
He lives. He lives. Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life' s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.
In all the world around me I see His loving care,
And tho my heart grows weary I never will despair;
I know that He is leading thro— all the stormy blast.
The day of His appearing will come at last.
Refrain:
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing.
Eternal hallelujas to Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find.
None other is so loving, so good and kind.
Refrain:
The closing hymn was Thine Be the Glory by Edmond Budry, translated by Richard Hoyle. The hymn tune is Maccabeus adapted from the oratorio by Georg Friedrich Handel.
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son;
endless is the victory, thou o'er death hast won;
angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
kept the folded grave clothes where thy body lay.
Refrain:
Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son,
Endless is the vict'ry, thou o'er death hast won.
Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
Lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom;
let the Church with gladness, hymns of triumph sing;
for her Lord now liveth, death hath lost its sting. Refrain
No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life;
life is naught without thee; aid us in our strife;
make us more than conquerors, through thy deathless love:
bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above. Refrain
Friday, April 14, 2006
Good Friday, 2006
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
Genesis 22:1-18
Hebrews 10:1-25
John (18:1-40) 19:1-37
Psalm 22:1-21 or 22:1-11
The Youth Choir led the music for the service of Tenebrae. The word tenebrae is Latin for shadows. The purpose of the Tenebrae service is to recreate the emotional aspects of the passion story. It is a very solemn service. The readings are the narrative of Christ’s Passion, divided into seven, eight, or nine parts, each one assigned to a different reader. Our service tonight had seven readings. At the beginning of the service the church is illuminated with candlelight. There are as many candles as there are readings, plus a white Christ candle. The readers go up one at a time, read their assigned selections, and extinguish one of the candles, until only the Christ candle remains. Then someone reads the first part of Psalm 22, which Jesus quoted on the cross. Then the Christ candle is put out, leaving the congregation in near total darkness—and near total devastation. At this point, the service ends. There is no benediction and the people leave in silence. We had a hymn for each of the readings, and the Youth Choir sang an anthem. There was no sermon.
The first hymn was Beneath the Cross of Jesus by Elizabeth Cecelia Douglas Clephane. The tune is St. Christopher by Frederick Charles Maker.
Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
the shadow of a mighty rock
within a weary land,
A home within a wilderness,
a rest upon the way,
from the burning of the noontide heat
and the burden of the day.
O safe and happy shelter!
O refuge tried and sweet!
O trysting-place where heaven's love
and heaven's justice meet!
As to the exalted patriarch
that wondrous dream was given,
so seems my Savior's cross to me
a ladder up to heaven.
There lies beneath its shadow,
but on the farther side,
the darkness of an open grave
that gapes both deep and wide;
and there between us stands the cross,
two arms outstretched to save,
like a watchman to guard the way
from that eternal grave.
Upon that cross of Jesus
mine eyes at times can see
the very dying form of one
who suffered there for me;
and from my stricken heart, with tears,
two wonders I confess:
the wonders of redeeming love,
and my own worthlessness.
I take, O cross, thy shadow
for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
the sunshine of his face;
content to let the world go by,
to know no gain nor loss,
my sinful self my only shame,
my glory all: the cross.
The first reading was Matthew 26:30-46
The second hymn was Go to Dark Gethsemane by James Montgomery. The tune is Redhead by Richard Redhead.
1. Go to dark Gethsemane,
ye that feel the tempter's power;
your Redeemer's conflict see,
watch with him one bitter hour.
Turn not from his griefs away;
learn of Jesus Christ to pray.
2. See him at the judgment hall,
beaten, bound, reviled, arraigned;
O the wormwood and the gall!
O the pangs his soul sustained!
Shun not suffering, shame, or loss;
learn of Christ to bear the cross.
3. Calvary's mournful mountain climb;
there, adoring at his feet,
mark that miracle of time,
God's own sacrifice complete.
"It is finished!" hear him cry;
learn of Jesus Christ to die.
4. Early hasten to the tomb
where they laid his breathless clay;
all is solitude and gloom.
Who has taken him away?
Christ is risen! He meets our eyes;
Savior, teach us so to rise.
The second reading was Matthew 26:47-56.
The third hymn was What Wondrous Love Is This, an American folk hymn that dates from the early nineteenth century.
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
to lay aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
to lay aside his crown for my soul.
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing,
to God and to the Lamb, I will sing.
To God and to the Lamb who is the great I AM,
while millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
while millions join the theme, I will sing.
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on, I'll sing on,
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on.
And when from death I'm free I'll sing and joyful be,
and through eternity I'll sing on, I'll sing on,
and through eternity I'll sing on.
The third reading was Matthew 26:57-75.
The fourth hymn was O Love Divine What Hast Thou Done by Charles Wesley. The hymn tune is Selena by Isaac B. Woodbury.
1. O Love divine, what has thou done!
The immortal God hath died for me!
The Father's coeternal Son
bore all my sins upon the tree.
Th' immortal God for me hath died:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified!
2. Is crucified for me and you,
to bring us rebels back to God.
Believe, believe the record true,
ye all are bought with Jesus' blood.
Pardon for all flows from his side:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified!
3. Behold him, all ye that pass by,
the bleeding Prince of life and peace!
Come, sinners, see your Savior die,
and say, "Was ever grief like his?"
Come, feel with me his blood applied:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified!
The fourth reading was Matthew 27:1-14.
The fifth hymn was Ah, Holy Jesus by Johann Heermann, translated by Robert S. Bridges. The hymn tune is Herzliebster Jesu by Johann Cruger.
1. Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended,
that we to judge thee have in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by thine own rejected,
O most afflicted!
2. Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon thee?
Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone thee!
'Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied thee;
I crucified thee.
3. Lo, the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offered;
the slave hath sinned, and the Son hath suffered.
For our atonement, while we nothing heeded,
God interceded.
4. For me, kind Jesus, was thy incarnation,
thy mortal sorrow, and thy life's oblation;
thy death of anguish and thy bitter passion,
for my salvation.
5. Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay thee,
I do adore thee, and will ever pray thee,
think on thy pity and thy love unswerving,
not my deserving.
The fifth reading was Matthew 27:15-32.
The sixth hymn was O Sacred Head Now Wounded. The text was written by Bernard of Clairvaux, translated by by Paul Gerhardt and James W. Alexander. The tune is known as The Passion Chorale by Hans L. Hassler in the sixteenth century and harmonized by J.S. Bach in the seventeenth century. It is main motif of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion
1. O sacred Head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, thine only crown:
how pale thou art with anguish,
with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish
which once was bright as morn!
2. What thou, my Lord, has suffered
was all for sinners' gain;
mine, mine was the transgression,
but thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior!
'Tis I deserve thy place;
look on me with thy favor,
vouchsafe to me thy grace.
3. What language shall I borrow
to thank thee, dearest friend,
for this thy dying sorrow,
thy pity without end?
O make me thine forever;
and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
outlive my love for thee.
The sixth reading was Matthew 27: 33-44.
The seventh and final hymn was the African-American spiritual Were You There?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh!
Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh!
Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Oh!
Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh!
Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
The seventh reading was Matthew 27:45-54.
Genesis 22:1-18
Hebrews 10:1-25
John (18:1-40) 19:1-37
Psalm 22:1-21 or 22:1-11
The Youth Choir led the music for the service of Tenebrae. The word tenebrae is Latin for shadows. The purpose of the Tenebrae service is to recreate the emotional aspects of the passion story. It is a very solemn service. The readings are the narrative of Christ’s Passion, divided into seven, eight, or nine parts, each one assigned to a different reader. Our service tonight had seven readings. At the beginning of the service the church is illuminated with candlelight. There are as many candles as there are readings, plus a white Christ candle. The readers go up one at a time, read their assigned selections, and extinguish one of the candles, until only the Christ candle remains. Then someone reads the first part of Psalm 22, which Jesus quoted on the cross. Then the Christ candle is put out, leaving the congregation in near total darkness—and near total devastation. At this point, the service ends. There is no benediction and the people leave in silence. We had a hymn for each of the readings, and the Youth Choir sang an anthem. There was no sermon.
The first hymn was Beneath the Cross of Jesus by Elizabeth Cecelia Douglas Clephane. The tune is St. Christopher by Frederick Charles Maker.
Beneath the cross of Jesus
I fain would take my stand,
the shadow of a mighty rock
within a weary land,
A home within a wilderness,
a rest upon the way,
from the burning of the noontide heat
and the burden of the day.
O safe and happy shelter!
O refuge tried and sweet!
O trysting-place where heaven's love
and heaven's justice meet!
As to the exalted patriarch
that wondrous dream was given,
so seems my Savior's cross to me
a ladder up to heaven.
There lies beneath its shadow,
but on the farther side,
the darkness of an open grave
that gapes both deep and wide;
and there between us stands the cross,
two arms outstretched to save,
like a watchman to guard the way
from that eternal grave.
Upon that cross of Jesus
mine eyes at times can see
the very dying form of one
who suffered there for me;
and from my stricken heart, with tears,
two wonders I confess:
the wonders of redeeming love,
and my own worthlessness.
I take, O cross, thy shadow
for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
the sunshine of his face;
content to let the world go by,
to know no gain nor loss,
my sinful self my only shame,
my glory all: the cross.
The first reading was Matthew 26:30-46
The second hymn was Go to Dark Gethsemane by James Montgomery. The tune is Redhead by Richard Redhead.
1. Go to dark Gethsemane,
ye that feel the tempter's power;
your Redeemer's conflict see,
watch with him one bitter hour.
Turn not from his griefs away;
learn of Jesus Christ to pray.
2. See him at the judgment hall,
beaten, bound, reviled, arraigned;
O the wormwood and the gall!
O the pangs his soul sustained!
Shun not suffering, shame, or loss;
learn of Christ to bear the cross.
3. Calvary's mournful mountain climb;
there, adoring at his feet,
mark that miracle of time,
God's own sacrifice complete.
"It is finished!" hear him cry;
learn of Jesus Christ to die.
4. Early hasten to the tomb
where they laid his breathless clay;
all is solitude and gloom.
Who has taken him away?
Christ is risen! He meets our eyes;
Savior, teach us so to rise.
The second reading was Matthew 26:47-56.
The third hymn was What Wondrous Love Is This, an American folk hymn that dates from the early nineteenth century.
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
to lay aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
to lay aside his crown for my soul.
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing,
to God and to the Lamb, I will sing.
To God and to the Lamb who is the great I AM,
while millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
while millions join the theme, I will sing.
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on, I'll sing on,
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on.
And when from death I'm free I'll sing and joyful be,
and through eternity I'll sing on, I'll sing on,
and through eternity I'll sing on.
The third reading was Matthew 26:57-75.
The fourth hymn was O Love Divine What Hast Thou Done by Charles Wesley. The hymn tune is Selena by Isaac B. Woodbury.
1. O Love divine, what has thou done!
The immortal God hath died for me!
The Father's coeternal Son
bore all my sins upon the tree.
Th' immortal God for me hath died:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified!
2. Is crucified for me and you,
to bring us rebels back to God.
Believe, believe the record true,
ye all are bought with Jesus' blood.
Pardon for all flows from his side:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified!
3. Behold him, all ye that pass by,
the bleeding Prince of life and peace!
Come, sinners, see your Savior die,
and say, "Was ever grief like his?"
Come, feel with me his blood applied:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified!
The fourth reading was Matthew 27:1-14.
The fifth hymn was Ah, Holy Jesus by Johann Heermann, translated by Robert S. Bridges. The hymn tune is Herzliebster Jesu by Johann Cruger.
1. Ah, holy Jesus, how hast thou offended,
that we to judge thee have in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by thine own rejected,
O most afflicted!
2. Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon thee?
Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone thee!
'Twas I, Lord Jesus, I it was denied thee;
I crucified thee.
3. Lo, the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offered;
the slave hath sinned, and the Son hath suffered.
For our atonement, while we nothing heeded,
God interceded.
4. For me, kind Jesus, was thy incarnation,
thy mortal sorrow, and thy life's oblation;
thy death of anguish and thy bitter passion,
for my salvation.
5. Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay thee,
I do adore thee, and will ever pray thee,
think on thy pity and thy love unswerving,
not my deserving.
The fifth reading was Matthew 27:15-32.
The sixth hymn was O Sacred Head Now Wounded. The text was written by Bernard of Clairvaux, translated by by Paul Gerhardt and James W. Alexander. The tune is known as The Passion Chorale by Hans L. Hassler in the sixteenth century and harmonized by J.S. Bach in the seventeenth century. It is main motif of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion
1. O sacred Head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, thine only crown:
how pale thou art with anguish,
with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish
which once was bright as morn!
2. What thou, my Lord, has suffered
was all for sinners' gain;
mine, mine was the transgression,
but thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior!
'Tis I deserve thy place;
look on me with thy favor,
vouchsafe to me thy grace.
3. What language shall I borrow
to thank thee, dearest friend,
for this thy dying sorrow,
thy pity without end?
O make me thine forever;
and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
outlive my love for thee.
The sixth reading was Matthew 27: 33-44.
The seventh and final hymn was the African-American spiritual Were You There?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh!
Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh!
Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Oh!
Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh!
Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
The seventh reading was Matthew 27:45-54.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Maundy Thursday
Tonight for the Maundy Thursday Comunion Service we sang the Messe Sollennelle
by Louis Vierne . It was the first time I had sung this piece. We really liked it. We mixed portions of the mass with the Communion liturgy so it was a real service, not a concert.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Palm Passion Sunday, April 9, 2006
Palm/ Passion Sunday
The readings for April 9, 2006 were:
The Liturgy of the Palms
Mark 11:1-11
John 12:12-16
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
The Liturgy of the Word
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Mark 14:1-15:47
Mark 15:1-39, (40-47)
We had two processional hymns, which confused everyone. The first was Hosanna, Loud Hosanna by Jeanette Threlfall and set to the tune Ellacombe harmonized by W. H. Monk.
1. Hosanna, loud hosanna, the little children sang,
through pillared court and temple the lovely anthem rang.
To Jesus, who had blessed them close folded to his breast,
the children sang their praises, the simplest and the best.
2. From Olivet they followed mid an exultant crowd,
the victor palm branch waving, and chanting clear and loud.
The Lord of earth and heaven rode on in lowly state,
nor scorned that little children should on his bidding wait.
3. "Hosanna in the highest!" that ancient song we sing,
for Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heaven our King.
O may we ever praise him with heart and life and voice,
and in his blissful presence eternally rejoice!
The second Processional hymn was Mantos y Palmas (Filled with Excitement) by Ruben Ruiz Avila, translated by Gertruce C. Suppe. The tune is Hosanna by Ruben Ruiz Avila. Fortunately this year we sang it in English instead of Spanish. When we have to sing in Spanish AND process at the same time I can barely keep from falling over my own feet.
Filled with excitement, all the happy throng
Spread cloaks and branches on the city streets.
There in the distance they begin to see,
Riding on a donkey, comes the Son of God
From every corner a thousand voice sing
Praises to Him who comes in the name of God
With one great shout of acclamation loud
Triumphant song breaks forth:
“Hosanna, hosanna to the King!
Hosanna, hosanna to the King!”
As on that entrance to Jerusalem,
We sing hosannas to the Christ, our King,
To the living Savior who still calls today,
Asking us to follow him with love and faith.
From every corner a thousand voice sing
Praises to Him who comes in the name of God
With one great shout of acclamation loud
Triumphant song breaks forth:
“Hosanna, hosanna to the King!
Hosanna, hosanna to the King!”
Our first anthem was Ride on, King Jesus.
Ride on King Jesus ! No man can hinder me!
Ride on King Jesus !Ride on! No man can hinder me!
King Jesus rides on a milk white horse
No man can hinder him
The river Jordan he did cross
No man can hinder him
For He is King of Kings, Lord of Lords.
Jesus Christ, the first and last.
No man works like Him.
Ride on King Jesus! No man can hinder me.
Ride on, King Jesus, Ride on. No man can hinder me.
The third hymn was Tell Me the Stories of Jesus, written by William H. Parker. The tune is Stories of Jesus by Frederick A. Chalinor.
1. Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear;
things I would ask him to tell me if he were here:
scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,
stories of Jesus, tell them to me.
2. First let me hear how the children stood round his knee,
and I shall fancy his blessing resting on me;
words full of kindness, deeds full of grace,
all in the lovelight of Jesus' face.
3. Into the city I'd follow the children's band,
waving a branch of the palm tree high in my hand;
one of his heralds, yes, I would sing
loudest hosannas, "Jesus is King!"
The sermon was really odd and was hard to connect with the stories of Holy week. Of course, we had to sing at two services, so we had to hear it twice.
Our second anthem was the beautiful and moving My Song Is Love Unknown by Samuel Crossman. Our anthem was a setting that was new to me whic I liked, but my favorite setting is the tune Love Unknown by John Ireland.
My song is love unknown,
My Savior’s love to me;
Love to the loveless shown,
That they might lovely be.
O who am I, that for my sake
My Lord should take, frail flesh and die?
He came from His blest throne
Salvation to bestow;
But men made strange, and none
The longed for Christ would know:
But O! my Friend, my Friend indeed,
Who at my need His life did spend.
Sometimes they strew His way,
And His sweet praises sing;
Resounding all the day
Hosannas to their King:
Then “Crucify!” is all their breath,
And for His death they thirst and cry.
Why, what hath my Lord done?
What makes this rage and spite?
He made the lame to run,
He gave the blind their sight,
Sweet injuries! Yet they at these
Themselves displease, and ’gainst Him rise.
They rise and needs will have
My dear Lord made away;
A murderer they saved,
The Prince of life they slay,
Yet cheerful He to suffering goes,
That He His foes from thence might free.
In life, no house, no home
My Lord on earth might have;
In death no friendly tomb
But what a stranger gave.
What may I say? Heav’n was His home;
But mine the tomb wherein He lay.
Here might I stay and sing,
No story so divine;
Never was love, dear King!
Never was grief like Thine.
This is my Friend, in Whose sweet praise
I all my days could gladly spend.
Our final hymn seemed an odd choice: Are Ye Able? By Earl B. Marlayy. The hymn tune is Beacon Hill by Harry S. Mason.
“Are ye able,” said the Master,
“To be crucified with Me?”
“Yea,” the sturdy dreamers answered,
“To the death we follow Thee.”
Refrain
Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine.
Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine.
Thy guiding radiance above us shall be
A beacon to God, to love and loyalty.
Are you able to relinquish
Purple dreams of power and fame,
To go down into the Garden,
Or to die a death of shame?
Refrain
Are ye able, when the anguish
Racks your mind and heart with pain,
To forgive the souls who wrong you,
Who would make your striving vain?
Refrain
Are ye able to remember,
When a thief lifts up his eyes,
That his pardoned soul is worthy
Of a place in paradise?
Refrain
Are ye able when the shadows
Close around you with the sod,
To believe that spirit triumphs,
To commend your soul to God?
Refrain
Are ye able? Still the Master
Whispers down eternity,
And heroic spirits answer,
Now as then in Galilee.
Refrain
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