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.

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.

We are joined in worship by musical artist Flamy Grant as we honor and celebrate our LGBTQ siblings this Transgender Visibility Sunday.

Flamy shares three of her original songs including "I Am Not Ashamed," "Old Religion," and "Good Day" with us. She also offers an intimate arrangement of the old Irish hymn "Be Thou My Vision" and a cover of the 1997 hit "Testify to Love" by Christian vocal quartet Avalon. Communal singing from the LGBTQ hymnal "Songs for the Holy Other" will further unite us in support and recognition of God's love for all of creation — the Holy Others. 

A new day. Living in blessed community. One body, many parts.

The Plymouth Ringers celebrate the dawning of a new spring with the beloved Natalie Sleeth composition "Hymn of Promise" arranged by Martha Thompson. The text, also written by the composer, speaks to God's promise of life emerging out of seemingly impossible circumstances utilizing the imagery of nature. Verse one beautifully expresses this notion:

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

The Chancel Choir offers a reinterpretation of the well-known song of peace and community "Let There Be Peace on Earth" by Rollo Dilworth. Originally composed by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson-Miller in 1955, the song was inspired by Jackson-Miller's overcoming of personal hardship by the revelation of "the life-saving joy of God's peace and unconditional love." The lyrics offer a simple and potentially world-changing message for humanity: "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me."

The service concludes with a toccata on "How Firm a Foundation," an early American hymn with a text written by an anonymous author simply referred to as "K" in an 18th century hymnbook by English Baptist John Rippon. This exciting setting by Craig Phillips treats the hymn tune to several  variations before settling back into the rhythmic toccata figure that opens the work.