On this Last Sunday of Eastertide, we sing the glory of the living God in songs of joyful praise and divine liberation.

Flutist Aaron McGrew offers two selections from composer Hans-André Stamm's distinctive catalogue of flute and organ duets. For the Prelude, we hear "Celtic Hymn: The Sound of Love." An original melody influenced by the traditional sounds of the British Isles forms the basis of this dynamic work presented by both the flute and organ at various moments throughout. During Communion, "Hommage à J.S. Bach" offers a tribute to the great Baroque composer J.S. Bach in part by quoting the opening motive from the second movement (Largo) of Bach's "Organ Trio Sonata No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 526." The piece also utilizes the Baroque Siciliano form, a lilting triple-based meter often used to convey a pastoral character as Bach did in "Flute Sonata in E-Flat Major, BWV 1031."

Singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile's "Most of All" serves as a musical centerpiece during the sermon time. Vocalists Brooklyn McBride and Suzie Matlock bring us this passionate song to worship.

For the Postlude, J.S. Bach's joyfully jubilant chorale prelude "In Thee Is Gladness" brings worship to a resounding and inspired close. 

Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still.
Let this be our song, no one stands alone,
Standing side by side, draw the circle wide.       
          - Gordon Light

The "eclectic" service format returns this Memorial Day weekend with vocalist Lucas Jackson and bassist Peter Strening leading you in songs of community from the chancel.

On this holiday weekend, we also remember those who fought for dignity and freedom for all of humanity and the hope that their sacrifice will continue to inspire a culture of decency and respect for all. 

During the Gathering Song, we offer George Harrison's "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)", a song calling for a deeper connection with the Divine in a broken world. In reference to his song from the 1973 album "Living in the Material World", Harrison explained, "This song is a prayer and personal statement between me, the Lord, and whoever likes it."

Give me love, give me love, give me peace on earth.
Give me light, give me life, keep me free from birth.
Give me hope, help me cope with this heavy load.
Trying to touch and reach You with heart and soul.
Oh, my Lord.

Singer/songwriter Jackson Browne's hit song "Doctor, My Eyes" from his 1972 self-titled debut album speaks to the loss of idealism. But as Browne states, the original motivation was much more literal: "My eye trouble was the initial inspiration for the song's lyrics. But as I wrote them, the eye issue became a metaphor for lost innocence and for having seen too much."      

Doctor, my eyes have seen the years and the slow parade of fears without crying.
Now I want to understand.
I have done all that I could to see the evil and the good without hiding.
You must help me if you can.

This Sunday, we come to the end of the music ministry's spring season with Plymouth's music ensembles taking a much deserved summer break for rest and rejuvenation. The Plymouth Ringers and Kids Will Sing! gifted us with their closing offerings last Sunday. This week, the Chancel Choir presents the 19th century American folk hymn "How Can I Keep from Singing?" in a lovely anthem setting by Taylor Davis with violinist Amy Welsh and flutist (and Plymouth's Interim Minister!) Pam Petersen joining in. 

The inspirational text, attributed only to "Pauline T.," likely first appeared in print in The New York Observer in the mid-1800's and was soon after set to the beloved tune by Robert Lowry. The text is a love poem to the beauty, vitality, and inherent spirituality of music. That no matter the circumstances in our lives, whether it be a time of strife and conflict or joy and love, an infectious song from the Divine reaches out to carry us through and inspire us to truly be alive. 

I see this spirit embodied in our music volunteers across the spectrum of their chosen mode of expression — how can I keep from ringing? Indeed! — and for that we should be very grateful. Come join us in whatever capacity you are able to also! Consider it an invitation — the music ministry is open to all. But together we can always cherish the communal opportunity to sing the sacred texts of hymns and songs in unity each week as Christians have done for a millennia. How can we not?   

Additionally this Sunday, violinist Amy Welsh presents an excerpt of the exuberant first movement of Edvard Grieg's "Sonata No. 1 in F Major" during the Prelude. And to close worship, a joyful organ setting of the opening hymn "God of Grace and God of Glory" by Paul Manz brings us full circle to the message of bringing God's Kin-dom to this troubled world, with the faithful support and guidance of the Spirit, and allowing it to grow and flourish. As stated in verse 1 from The New Century Hymnal, "God of grace and God of glory, on your people pour your power; crown your ancient church's story; bring its bud to glorious flower. Grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the facing of this hour."  

In this lovely spring time, a preview of the upcoming seasonal transition to summer will be offered through excerpts from Antonio Vivaldi's famous ode to nature "The Four Seasons." Composed between 1718-1720, this collection of four violin concertos is an early example of program music. Each of the concertos was written to intentionally evoke a specific season through musical allusions corresponding to a sonnet accompanying each work. This Sunday morning, violinist Harmony Tucker presents the first movement (Allegro con molto) and third movement (Presto) of the second concerto subtitled "L'estate," translated from Italian as "Summer." Vivaldi is thought to be the author of the supporting sonnets for each movement. The author writes in the prose referring to movement one: "Under the heat of the burning summer sun, Languish man and flock; the pine is parched. The cuckoo finds its voice, and suddenly, The turtledove and goldfinch sing..." Perhaps you will hear the sound of the cuckoo and birdsong that follows during the Prelude this Sunday.

Kids Will Sing! return for their final musical offering before summer break with the traditional songs "This Little Light of Mine" and "Hallelu — Praise Ye the Lord." Directed by Liz McGrew with accompanist Jennifer Jolly, Plymouth's youth musical ensemble has been a blessing to worship these past few years. We look forward to their new season of music-making this fall!

The Plymouth Ringers take us back to Easter Sunday in an imaginative setting of "Up From the Grave He Rose" by Jason Krug on this Fourth Sunday of Eastertide. 

And lastly, the Chancel Choir sings "Be Thou My Vision" in an arrangement by Mark Miller. The composer sets the well-known Irish hymn text to an original new tune only for the often used Irish melody "Slane" to appear during the anthem's concluding measures.