Sing aloud to God our strength;
shout for joy to the God of Jacob!
Raise a song, sound the timbrel,
the sweet lyre with the harp.
Psalm 81.1-2

Like the murmur of the dove’s song, like the challenge of her flight,
like the vigor of the wind’s rush, like the new flame’s eager might:
come, Holy Spirit, come.
- verse 1 of the hymn "Like the Murmur of the Dove's Song" by Carl Daw
 
On this Pentecost Sunday, we enjoy the offerings from all of our musical ensembles as we conclude a robust season of music-making before the summer recess.
 
As the congregation gathers for worship, the Plymouth Ringers invoke the Spirit in the Pentecost hymn "Come Down, O Love Divine." The tune "Down Ampney", composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams, is reimagined in a lush gentle setting by Michael Ryan.  
 
Kids Will Sing! offer the African-American spiritual "This Little Light of Mine" featuring soloists Charlotte & Lillian McGrew, Annabele & Clara Siegel and Solvei Prows with accompanist Jennifer Jolly. Thank you to Liz McGrew for leading this ensemble in its first year of gracing our worship services and to all who have participated! 
 
The Chancel Choir sings of God's unseen loving presence in "Come, Gracious Spirit" by Alfred Fedak. The 18th century Pentecost text by Simon Browne is set to the lilting melody of the traditional English tune "Danby" creating a flowing and serene anthem to the Spirit. 
 
The organ speaks a final invocation to the Holy Spirit in "Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist" (Come, God Creator, Holy Ghost) in a setting by Johann Sebastian Bach from the Great Eighteen Chorale Preludes (BWV 667.)  The source hymn for Bach's work was composed by Martin Luther, who was inspired by the ancient Latin chant "Veni Creator Spiritus." This exuberant chorale prelude embodies the flowing winds of the Holy Spirit with the triple meter symbolizing its role in the Trinity. 

Elements of the Celtic, folk, and jazz traditions color the music offered at the 9:00 a.m. contemplative service.
 
At the 11:00 a.m. traditional service, music by female composers will be featured on this last Sunday of Eastertide. Libby Larsen's contemporary setting of the hymn of community "Blessed Be the Tie That Binds" opens worship. The Chancel Choir sings an arrangement of the American folk hymn "Simple Gifts" by Anna Page and Jean Shafferman. The service concludes with a vibrant echo of the final hymn in "And Again I Say, Rejoice!" by Brenda Portman, a former colleague of mine at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.  

At 9:00 a.m., a contemplative service will be offered including chants and songs bringing us together into a space of prayer, reflection and peace.

At 11:00 a.m., the creation story continues from Earth Day Sunday into this Sixth Sunday of Eastertide. Another movement from Flor Peeters' nature-inspired "Lied Symphony for Organ" (Lied pronounced 'leed,' German for 'song') opens worship in "Lied for the Flowers." The work is a series of variations on an original chant-like melody employing the varied colors of the organ. The Chancel Choir reminds us of the Paschal season in "My Alleluia" by Heather Sorenson. An exhilarating "Toccata for a Joyful Day" by Emma Lou Diemer sends us out into this wonderful creation we call home.