At the 9:00 a.m. "eclectic" service, our core trio of worship musicians cantor Lucas Jackson, bassist Peter Strening, and I offer songs rejoicing in the blessings that God's presence brings. Selections from the American spiritual and jazz songbooks and George Harrison will be presented.
At the 11:00 a.m. traditional service, the Chancel Choir sings of the blessings received in simply being what God created us to be in "Child of God," a gospel-influenced anthem by Mark Miller. From the organ comes two settings of Welsh hymn tunes: "Rhosymedre" (translated as "lovely") by Ralph Vaughan Williams and "CWM Rhondda" (the tune of "God of Grace and God of Glory") by Paul Manz.
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Ovella Huddleston and cantor Lucas Jackson contribute the lush ambience of the low strings to the early morning worship service. Arrangements of works by Gustav Holst and Antonio Vivaldi will be offered on this day of remembrance.
At 11:00, the organ consoles those gathered with an "Elegy" by composer and a former Cincinnati colleague of mine Brenda Portman. During communion, the Chancel Choir offers the traditional Irish blessing in a serene setting by Bob Chilcott. The service concludes with an assured and triumphant meditation on the All Saints Sunday hymn "O What Their Joy and Their Glory Must Be." 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. 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. 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. 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. On this World Communion Sunday, the familiar strains of the spiritual "Let Us Break Bread Together" welcomes you to worship in a jazz-inspired setting by Charles Callahan. The Chancel Choir offers "One World" during our time in fellowship at the table. This original anthem by Linda Kachelmeier exhibits a South African character with elements of gospel and plenty of percussion. The service concludes with a joyous fantasia influenced by the music of Latin America by Hans-André Stamm.
Upon entering the sanctuary, center yourself for worship with the calming tones of "Chant de Paix" (Song of Peace) by contemporary French composer Jean Langlais. During the Offertory, the Chancel Choir offers an exuberant setting of the spiritual "Wade in the Water" by Bruce Trinkley. A grand fugue, the final movement from Felix Mendelssohn's "Organ Sonata No. 2 in C Minor," closes worship on a joyous note of blessed abundance.
Sunday morning worship begins with an invocation to the Spirit of Abundance in "We Pray Now to the Holy Spirit," a German chorale tune set by Baroque composer Dietrich Buxtehude. The Chancel Choir ponders the question "How Can I Keep from Singing?" in an elegant arrangement of this American folk song by Timothy Shaw. Lastly, a riveting and brief toccata concludes worship in another selection by Dietrich Buxtehude, whose works greatly influenced composers such as J.S. Bach and Handel.
Two selections from Mozart's "Sonata in A Major, K. 305" will be offered this Sunday morning. Presented by violinist Amy Welsh, a spirit of relentless optimism and hope pervades these delightful excerpts. From the organ, the Hubert Parry composed tune "Jerusalem" is offered in a suitably regal setting from Charles Callahan. The text "O Day of Peace" by notable hymn writer Carl Daw Jr. is most associated with this hymn. Perhaps the quintessential hymn of peace of the late 20th century, the writer further clarifies his message: "Although this hymn affirms that peace is always God’s gift, it also recognizes the importance of human responsibility in preparing an environment in which peace can flourish.” O day of peace that dimly shines
through all our hopes and prayers and dreams, guide us to justice, truth, and love, delivered from our selfish schemes. May swords of hate fall from our hands, our hearts from envy find release, till by God’s grace our warring world shall see Christ’s promised reign of peace. - from "O Day of Peace" by Carl Daw Jr. |
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