Join us at the 9:00 a.m. service for chants of inner peace connecting with the Divine—a sanctuary within. Cantor Blair Carpenter, bassist Peter Strening, guitarist/vocalist Bill DeMarco and I lead you in songs of strength and beauty.
At the 11:00 a.m. service, two selections from the organ illuminate the importance of the sabbath within. Brahms' chorale prelude "Mein Jesu, der du mich zum Lustspiel ewiglich" ("My Jesus, you who have chosen me for eternal delight") begins the service in a serious yet sublime tone. Charles Callahan's setting of the hymn "O Day of Peace" closes the service in a stately dignified manner based on the tune "Jerusalem" by British composer C.H.H. Parry. The Chancel Choir offers the exquisite "I Believe" by Mark Miller during communion. The text is based on writing found on a basement wall in a Jewish ghetto during World War Two expressing a profound faith in times of hardship and terror.
0 Comments
The folk hymn "Wondrous Love" was first published in 1836 from a melody most likely based on the 1701 English secular tune, "The Ballad of Captain Kidd." Originating in the American South, the hymn was included in the venerable 1845 Southern Harmony and now appears in songbooks across Christendom. The text praises the inconceivable love and grace of God in our lives, especially poignant as we continue our spiritual journey together towards Holy Week. Three settings of this beloved hymn will be offered this Fourth Sunday in Lent.
At 9:00, a contemporary arrangement by Carol Wiggins for piano and violin closes the service. The free treatment of this iconic melody and the numerous harmonic surprise turns of the accompaniment create an inspired fresh interpretation of this treasured tune. Violinist Harmony Tucker joins us. At 11:00, the Plymouth Ringers sound a call to worship with a lovely arrangement of the melody by Martha Thompson. At the Postlude, the organ offers a rousing majestic version of the tune in the closing meditation from "Five Meditations on 'Wondrous Love'" by Ronald Perera. Also at 11:00, the Chancel Choir offers a setting of the Horatious Bonar text "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say" in an intimate arrangement by John Helgen. At 9:00, musical meditations assist us in finding that quiet place within: a place of much needed rest as we prepare ourselves for service in God's world.
At 11:00, a tintinnabulation opens the service on the early American hymn "Wondrous Love" from the Plymouth Ringers in a setting by Martha Lynn Thompson. The Chancel Choir sings "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say," a well-known Horatious Bonar text set in an intimate setting by John Helgen. Lastly, from the organ we celebrate the birth of Johann Sebastian Bach one day early with his majestic and concise "Prelude and Fugue in E Minor" (the "cathedral") BWV 533. Soli Deo Gloria! This Sunday we celebrate the rich Celtic tradition of music and prayer so revered at Plymouth. St. Patrick's Day comes early...served in two ways!
At 9:00, traditional Irish jigs and reels are led by fiddler Abigail Morgan with guitarist Alan Skowron and bassist Peter Strening. Come and experience the exuberant sounds of ancient Ireland as we worship this early morning. At 11:00, the traditional Irish tune "St. Columba" is treated to a lovely setting by composer Matt Riley at the Prelude. Violinist Harmony Tucker joins us. The Chancel Choir offers "God, You Enfold Me," an ancient Celtic prayer set to music by Hal Hopson inspired by early Italian opera composer Giulio Caccini. Harmony Tucker provides the violin part. At the Postlude, a jig for the organ! "Toccata gaelica" by Hans-André Stamm joyously encompasses the spirit of the traditional Irish jig in a multi-sectional romp sure to send you happily out into the world. Our yearly pilgrimage through the wilderness has begun anew as we began our collective Lenten journey with last night's Ash Wednesday service. God meeting us where we are while we intently come forward into the divine presence. In community, in the bread and wine.
At 9:00 this First Sunday in Lent, we greet the new morn with songs from the Celtic folk tradition and more with cantor Blair Carpenter and ukulelist Stuart Yoshida. At 11:00, the organ speaks with two hymn tunes of dedication and praise. At the Prelude, a dramatic setting of "Just As I Am" welcomes you with rising sonorities that offer an urgent plea to the heavens. As the closing phrase of each verse text states: "Lamb of God, I come, I come." A majestic and victorious setting of the venerable tune "Deo Gracias" (Latin for 'Thanks to God') closes the service by British-Canadian composer Healey Willan. The Chancel Choir offers the hymn anthem "One Bread, One Body" in an elegant setting by prolific composer Mark Hayes. |
Details
|