We begin with Stan Pethel's variations on the Shaker tune "Simple Gifts" – intimate yet bold.

During communion, violinist Harmony Tucker offers a reading of the African-American spiritual "Let Us Break Bread Together" by Charles Callahan – sensual and jazzy.

The service closes with a "Toccata for a Joyful Day" by Emma Lou Diemer – riveting...hopeful.

Songs of divine liberation and diversity on this Juneteenth Sunday.

At the Prelude, vocalist/banjoist Lucas Jackson offers his arrangement of the well-known American tune "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory." Penned by abolitionist writer Julia Howe in 1861, the text alludes to biblical prophecies of a new kingdom coming in relation to the end of the American Civil War. Or, of any time.

At the Offertory, Lucas sings "For the Flowers Are Great Blessings" from Benjamin Britten's cantata "Rejoice in the Lamb." The text refers to the wonder of God's creation and its diversity of color and beauty specifically in the flowers—the "poetry of Christ" as depicted by text writer Christopher Smart.

At the Postlude, a "March of Joy" by prolific composer and organ virtuoso Hans-André Stamm. Melodies reminiscent of traditional Celtic music permeate this delightful romp at the conclusion of worship this Sunday morning.  

A duo of Baroque composers and a tango on this Pentecost Sunday.

From the Italian Baroque, the opening "Allegro non molto" from the summer section of Vivaldi's famed programmatic work "The Four Seasons" begins worship. Violinist Harmony Tucker ushers in the second unofficial weekend of summer with this beloved classic.

From the German Baroque, J.S. Bach's chorale prelude on the 16th century Martin Luther Pentecost hymn "Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist" (Come, God Creator, Holy Ghost) concludes the service. The flurry of notes cascading over the cantus firmus in the pedal symbolizes the rushing wind of the Spirit in Bach's sensitive and exuberant rendering of the text in musical form.

During communion, a setting of the Ralph Vaughan Williams' tune "Down Ampney" by Mark Sedio evokes the rhythms and bluesy tonalities of a tango. Originally for organ solo, Harmony Tucker will take the melody in this elegant and sensual arrangement of a tune commonly paired with the Pentecost text "Come Down, O Love Divine."