 Image by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay The works of the revered Lutheran composer Johann Sebastian Bach will be offered in celebration of Reformation Sunday this week. A jazzy take on the well-known "Bourée," based on the 1969 arrangement by rock band Jethro Tull, will be heard at the 9:00 a.m. service. Bassist Con Woodall and guitarist Bill DeMarco join in. From the organ, we hear a jubilant setting of the Martin Luther hymn of faith "Wir glauben all an einen Gott" (We all believe in one true God) and the dramatic masterpiece "Fantasia in G Minor." As an expression of his faithful intent, Bach signed his compositions with the Latin phrase "Soli Deo Gloria" (Glory to God alone). May it be so! The Chancel Choir sings the beautiful "Where the Light Begins" by Susan Labarr at the 11:00 a.m. service. The text by Jan Richardson speaks to the power of change—of reform—that begins within each of us. She writes: ...though we cannot see or feel or know all the ways that God is radiantly illuminating us, may we open ourselves toward that light. May we open our eyes, our hands, our hearts to meet it. May we lean into the light that begins in the deepest dark, bearing itself into this world for us.
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 Image by Bruno from Pixabay On this Consecration Sunday, Plymouth's music ministry share the fruit of their labors during both morning services.
The services begin with "Echoes of Joy," a duet for organ and flute by Hans-André Stamm. Flutist Aaron McGrew leads this delightful minimalist-inspired work. The Plymouth Ringers offer the festive "Praise with Timbrel and Dance," informed by the words of Psalm 150, by Frederick Chatfield. Kids Will Sing! return to the chancel steps with songs from our youngest members. The Chancel Choir presents a dramatic setting of the early American hymn "How Firm a Foundation" by Dan Forrest. And finally, the organ revisits this tune in a riveting toccata from Craig Phillips to close our Consecration Sunday services.  Image by Photo Mix from Pixabay At 9:00 a.m., jazz harmonies and Celtic hymns come together during the early morning worship hour. Ukulelist Stuart Yoshida, cantor Lucas Jackson, and bassist Peter Strening join us.
At 11:00 a.m., the organ offers two expressions of joy in a chorale prelude on the German hymn tune "Lobe den Herren" (Praise the Lord) by Johann Walther and the thrilling "Toccata for a Joyful Day" by Emma Lou Diemer. The congregation will be invited to join the Chancel Choir in the hymn-anthem "All My Hope on God Is Founded" arranged by Michael Burkhardt.  Image by John Hain from Pixabay At the 9:00 a.m. "eclectic" worship hour, songs of service and unity will be sung along with offerings from Peter Gabriel and the musical Godspell. Staff Singer Lucas Jackson and bassist Peter Strening join us.
At the 11:00 a.m. Traditional Service, excerpts from Heinrich Biber's "Sonata Representiva in A" with violinist Harmony Tucker greets you in the sanctuary. This delightful work is a representation of nature and wildlife replete with animal sounds such as the cuckoo, frog, and more. A delightful Baroque ode to God's creatures on this Blessing of the Animals Sunday. The Chancel Choir sings of an unrelenting faith in Mark Miller's "I Believe." The poignant text is based on an anonymous Jewish poem discovered in the latter days of World War II scrawled on a cellar wall in Germany. At the Postlude, the organ offers a contemporary "Festive March" by Daniel Pinkham. |
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