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.

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."  

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.   

We are where the light begins. Perhaps it does not begin. Perhaps it is always.
-  text by Jan Richardson from the Susan LaBarr choral composition
"Where the Light Begins"

Guitarist Alan Skowron joins us for both morning services offering his composition "Journey Throughout Life" adapted for organ and electric guitar. We may even "take five" to close our worship time together...

Music for the 11:00 a.m. Confirmation Sunday service was selected in collaboration with the confirmands themselves! The beautiful musical setting of Jan Richardson's text by Susan LaBarr in "Where the Light Begins" will be presented as a duo vocal arrangement by Plymouth Staff Singers Alex Young and Lucas Jackson. Guitarist and vocalist Noah Kayl brings his "Offering" during our communal time of prayer in a song by Paul Baloche. 

On this Earth Day Sunday, we experience music celebrating the wonders of creation while honoring our role as stewards in this world — like shepherds watching over their flock.

At the 9:00 a.m. "eclectic" service, ukulelist Stuart Yoshida joins the chancel musicians in presenting songs from around the world including Jamaica, Hawaii, and the American songbook.

At the 11:00 a.m. traditional service, we hear an ode to the majesty of peaks and valleys from the organ in a lied (German for "song") to the mountains by Belgian composer Flor Peeters. The Chancel Choir are joined by the Plymouth Ringers and violinist Amy Welsh in a setting paraphrasing Psalm 23 utilizing the early American tune "Resignation" by David Ashley White. (As a "pick-up" choir Sunday, feel free to join us for rehearsal at 10:10!) The organ concludes worship with a gigue (a French Baroque dance based on the English jig) on the closing hymn tune "Dix" (sung to the text "For the Beauty of the Earth").

​At 9:00 a.m., vocalist and guitarist Bill DeMarco joins the team for a Celtic and folk-inspired collection of songs rejoicing in the resurrection.
 
At 11:00 a.m., two contemporary organ settings on traditional Easter carols by James Biery are offered. A trio on the 17th century Dutch tune "Vreuchten" ("This Joyful Eastertide") begins the worship hour. A toccata on the 16th century German tune "Gaudeamus Pariter" ("Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain") closes the service. The Chancel Choir sings "A Gaelic Easter Celebration" by Patti Drennan with fiddler Harmony Tucker.