Growing roots together in faith during this Eastertide. Songs of receptive fertile soil and Easter joy on Sunday morning.

A lied (German for "song") to the beauty of flowers begins worship from Belgian composer Flor Peeters' "Lied-Symphony" for organ. This five movement impressionistic work is described by the composer as a "thanksgiving hymn for nature in God's creation" and comprises an ode each to the ocean, desert, flowers, mountains, and sun. The flowers movement offered this Sunday morning depicts the diversity of flora the composer experienced in California while on a U.S. tour in 1947. The variety of color and form are represented by a spectrum of timbres from the organ unified by variations on an original flowing chant-like theme.

During communion, the Chancel Choir sings the joys of Eastertide in "A Gaelic Easter Celebration" by Patti Drennan. Flutist Aaron McGrew and guest percussionists add to the Celtic character of this cheerful  anthem.

A chorale prelude on the 16th century German Easter hymn "Erschienen ist der herrlich Tag" (Appeared Is the Splendid Day) by 19th century Austrian composer Heinrich von Herzogenberg closes worship. This joyful setting is composed in a Baroque contrapuntal style informed by 19th century musical sensibilities. The hymn tune is also associated with the Easter text "That Easter Day with Joy Was Bright."  

"Here comes the sun and I say "It's all right."
- George Harrison   

We celebrate the beauty of the earth on this Camp Sunday. Singer and guitarist Bill DeMarco, staff singer Lucas Jackson and bassist Peter Strening lead the music in this eclectic service on the Second Sunday of Easter. 


The Gathering Song "Morning Has Broken" welcomes all into the sanctuary to begin worship together. Prayers to the Divine and hope in the Resurrection, even amid this fallen world, are shared in the African-American spiritual "Kumbaya" and Libby Roderick's classic "How Could Anyone Ever Tell You." We come together in song and offer ourselves as a vessel of the Spirit to the world in "Lord, Prepare Me to Be a Sanctuary" for the closing congregational song. The Sending Song affirms the beauty of God's creation and the hopefulness of a new day in George Harrison's "Here Comes the Sun."

We are Easter people now, turning power upside down.
In the valley of the shadow, we're the candle in the window,
Saying Hope will rise again.
- from "Hope Will Rise Again" by Andre Moran & Ben Grace

At the 9:00 a.m. service, eclectic expressions of Easter joy will be offered with vocalists Lucas Jackson and Brooklyn McBride joining us. "Hope Will Rise Again" begins the Easter celebration written by Andre Moran and Ben Grace from the Convergence Music Project. The lyrics are a contemporary message of resurrection declaring the unrelenting spirit of Divine Love and speaking truth to the powers that wish to diminish our dignity. A toccata on the hymn tune "Gaudeamus Pariter" (often coupled with the Easter hymn text "Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain") closes worship on a triumphal note in this exciting setting by James Biery.

At the 11:00 a.m. service, we are joined by the Plymouth Brass and timpanist Lucille Harlow in a celebratory service of Easter acclamations. The Plymouth Ringers offer their "Easter Bells" in a medley of Easter hymn tunes by Michael Ryan following the Easter message. The Chancel Choir sings "Let the Heavens Ring" by composer Bradley Ellingboe in a lively rhythmic anthem dramatically telling the story of Easter morning with many "Alleluias" along the way. Easter Sunday worship concludes with a staple of the organ repertoire in "Toccata" from Organ Symphony No. 5 by French organist/composer Charles-Marie Widor in an arrangement for organ and brass by Christina Harmon and Matthew Mondragon.

Let the rocks cry out in joyous sounds of praise! 
Let the people shout with voices gladly raised!
Sing hosanna, hosanna! Messiah comes today. 
Sing hosanna, hosanna! The Saviour's on his way!
Let the rocks cry out, let the people shout, "Blessed be the name of the Lord!" 

- Lloyd Larson, based on Psalm 19.38-40

On this Palm Sunday, Jesus is on the move. An embodiment of the transition from his life's ministry to its inevitable conclusion at the hands of the detractors. Songs of praise, procession, and prophetic victory over death.

We enter the sanctuary with the triumphant fanfare call to worship "Processional in D" by David Johnson. After processing into worship, Kids Will Sing! offer the South African hymn "Siyahamba" (We Are Walking in the Light of God) with Jennifer Jolly accompanying. The Chancel Choir sings the Palm Sunday anthem "Let the Rocks Cry Out!" by Lloyd Larson with an original text based on Luke 19.38-40 and Psalm 24.7-10. The organ concludes worship with a majestic "Recessional" by Robert Hughes, guiding you out into the world for service as we emerge into Holy Week.     

God is my breath. God is my body. God is my grace.
God is my hope. God is my loving.
God is my breath. God is my body. God is my strength.
God is my peace. God is my living! 

We are joined again this week by Rev. Kimberly Salico-Diehl who will offer two of her own compositions on this Fifth Sunday in Lent. Her Call to Worship "God Is My Breath" speaks to the embodiment of God in our lives — in our breath, our physical form, our deepest yearnings, the ground of our being. As a complement, Kimberly plays "Exhale" after the benediction — sending us out into the world imbued with God's presence.

The Chancel Choir sings "One Faith, One Hope, One Lord" by Craig Courtney, an anthem praising the varied gifts of the body of Christ working together in community. Kimberly accompanies the choir with staff singer Lucas Jackson conducting.