Praise the Lord.

Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with timbrel and dancing,
praise him with the strings and pipe,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.

- Psalm 150 (NIV)

This Sunday we celebrate the value of music as worship with the words of Psalm 150 to guide us. 

The title of this piece refers to the book of the same name by father/daughter collaborators Don and Amy Saliers. In it they explore the spiritual essence of "Saturday night and Sunday morning" music from their respective areas of interest and expertise: Don as an organist and choral conductor in Christian worship in the traditional sense and Amy as one half of the successful folk-rock duo Indigo Girls. I relate to their shared revelation that sacred music can not be narrowly defined and is in fact a broad experience shared by the community of humanity each in their own way. The authors' reflections have greatly informed my own music ministry and I will always be grateful.  

The service begins with a “Soliloquy” from the organ composed by Cleveland native David Conte. A plaintive melody on the flute stop introduces the work’s reflective character which develops into a chorus of bold harmony before returning to the singular opening voice.

Three musical responses follow the personal testimonies from three members of Plymouth’s music ministry. The first is a jazz re-imagining of the traditional Hebrew melody “Leoni” I wrote to specifically accompany the Carolyn Winfrey Gillette text of Christian unity “No Longer.” The second is the traditional spiritual “Hold Out Your Light” arranged by Rollo Dilworth offered by the Summer “Pickup” Choir. Feel free to join us! Rehearsal at 9:15 a.m. Lastly, staff singer Lucas Jackson presents the 19th century American folk hymn “How Can I Keep from Singing?” in an intimate setting referencing the divine nature of music.

The service concludes with a selection from 20th century French composer Jean Langlais’s collection of Nine Pieces for Organ entitled “Chant de joie” (Song of Joy.)  This contemporary expression of ecstatic joy and assurance unambiguously places a “musical exclamation point” at the end of our worship hour as we go forth into the world to serve — joyfully.

We return to the "eclectic" service format this Sunday led by vocalist and guitarist Bill DeMarco, vocalist Lucas Jackson and bassist Peter Strening. Songs of service, changing seasons and gratitude this holiday weekend.

 "I Give Thanks" by singer/songwriter Kathryn Mostow expresses gratitude for those whose pure hearts demand they bring radical change and goodwill to the people of this world. "I give thanks for all these hands that take a risk, that make a stand. Oh, I give thanks for all the good deeds unseen and everyone who still dares to dream."

"I Can't Wait" by Kieran Kane speaks hopefully to a time when peace and understanding can be in our sights—or at least help along the way. "It seems we have gone too far and now we don't know where we are. I believe we'll find a guiding star, but I can't wait."

"Turn! Turn! Turn!" was composed by folk artist Pete Seeger in 1959 and became an international hit in 1965 with a cover version by The Byrds. Adapted almost entirely from the Book of Ecclesiastes, the lyrics speak to change, a time for every season, and a hopeful vision for the world.

As we gather for worship, the Plymouth Ringers strike an optimistic tone with a setting of the hymn "When Morning Gilds the Skies" by Lloyd Larson. The arrangement expands from its gentle opening character to embrace a triumphal spirit embodying the joyous text of this traditional morning hymn. As the verse three text from The New Century Hymnal expresses: "Discordant humankind, in this your concord find, may Jesus Christ be praised! Let all the earth around ring joyous with the sound: may Jesus Christ be praised!  

Kids Will Sing! offers two selections on this day of remembrance for our beloved LGBTQ community: "Building a Better World" by Ellen Allard with violinist Nate Jolly and "For All the Saints" with an original text by the ensemble. Pianist Jennifer Jolly accompanies the group.

The Chancel Choir sings "O Christ, Thou Lamb of God" in a contemporary setting reminiscent of a Renaissance motet by Carl Schalk. The text is an English translation of the 7th century Roman rite traditionally spoken or sung during the Eucharist: "O Christ, thou Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us."      

The service closes with a "Festive March" by late American composer Daniel Pinkham. Though he served as chair of the early music program at New England Conservatory of Music for many years, his music often embraced contemporary trends and explorations as is the case in this work. Mr. Pinkham lived as an openly gay man in a time when that could be particularly challenging. He was also known for wearing his trademark pink scarf.

The promise of new life, hope and divine peace guide our communal song and musical offerings this Sunday morning.

Violinist Harmony Tucker offers the joyous "Allegro risoluto" from Antonin Dvorak's "Sonatina, Op. 100" as we prepare for worship together. The congregation will be invited to join the Chancel Choir in singing the hymn-anthem "Prayer for Peace" by David Cherwien. A setting of the hymn "O Day of Peace," set to the British tune "Jerusalem," by Charles Callahan settles worship into a space of noble repose.

May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rain fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again, may God hold you ever in the palm of his hand.
- Traditional Irish blessing

On this Totenfest/All Saints Day Sunday, we remember loved ones who have passed on with an "Elegy" by Australian-born organist/composer George Thalben-Ball. His most well-known composition for organ, this lovely meditative work emerged from an improvisation on a BBC radio show in World War II and was played at the funeral of Princess Diana of Wales in 1997.

The Chancel Choir offers a moment of comfort and assured hope in the ancient words of "Irish Blessing" in a beautiful setting by British composer Bob Chilcott. The anonymous text reminds us that life's road can be long—and challenging—but that in God's presence we are never alone.

A triumphant "Alleluia" closes worship with a reminder that Love can never die. This final movement from Italian organist/composer Marco Bossi's "Six Pieces for Organ, Op. 70" implies a sung "Alleluia" refrain with its four note descending motif heard throughout this celebratory work from 1917.  

"Join me now the road is wide,
all God's children side by side,
where justice will shine and love abide,
we're headed back home by another road,
yes, we're headed back home by another road."
- Mark Miller and Lindy Thompson

The Plymouth Ringers begin worship with a celebratory bell peal based on the Genevan psalter tune "Old 100th" arranged by Linda Lamb. The 16th century tune is one of the most well-known Christian melodies often sung as a Doxology with the text "Praise God, from whom all blessings flow."

The Chancel Choir offers the folky and at times gospel-inflected anthem "Home By Another Road" by prolific American composer Mark Miller. The text, written by Mr. Miller and frequent collaborator Lindy Thompson, shares a vision of a loving community that transforms all those who choose to enter, creating new paths to follow.

The service concludes with the joyous opening movement from "Prelude and Fugue in C Major, BWV 547" by Johann Sebastian Bach. While we celebrate community and Plymouth's giving spirit this Sunday as the Generosity Campaign comes to an end, it is also Reformation Sunday. The great composer of the reformation is undoubtedly Bach and his Spirit-filled works project his devout personal faith. He often began his compositions with the initials "J.J." (Latin abbreviation for "Jesu, Juva" translated as "Jesus, help") and signed off with "SDG" (Latin abbreviation for "Soli Deo Gloria" translated as "to God alone, the glory') expressly communicating his intent to glorify God, and not himself, with his prodigious God-given musical talent.

We begin with an ode to the dawning of a new day in "Here Comes the Sun" by George Harrison. Vocalist/guitarist Bill DeMarco, vocalist Lucas Jackson and bassist Peter Strening offer this classic song of renewal as we enter this morning worship time together.

The Chancel Choir sings a choral arrangement of the John Lennon song "Imagine" by Jay Althouse. Joined by Bill and Peter, we "Imagine Together" a new world of peace and community in this musically "blended" worship space.

A toccata on the early American hymn of faith "How Firm a Foundation" by Craig Phillips closes worship on a jubilant note. The tune from the "Southern Harmony" shape note book (1835) is treated to several creative variations before returning to the joyous opening motif.

"How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in God's excellent Word!
What more can be said than to you God hath said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled? "
- verse one of "How Firm a Foundation" by "K," 1787.

Worshipful expressions of praise —across the board—this Sunday morning.

At the Prelude, excerpts from Dutch composer Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck's chorale partita "Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr" (To God Alone be the Glory) will be offered. Based on a 16th century German hymn intended as a Protestant representation of the Latin mass "Gloria," this early Baroque work brings to fore characteristics of the Renaissance era.  

Kids Will Sing! return to the worship hour with two selections of praise: the Caribbean folk song "Halle, Halle, Halle" and traditional children's song "Hallelujah, Praise ye the Lord!" We look forward to many more offerings by Plymouth's youth in the months to come!

At the Offertory, the Chancel Choir sings "All Who Are Just" in a setting of music and text by Richard Proulx. The text is a paraphrase of Psalm 33:1-4 exclaiming the glory of God ("All who are just, sing praise to God with harp and voice of rejoicing"). The music is adapted from the 1703 work "Quatre Versets" by French composer Francois Couperin. 

At the Postlude, the lively "Toccata in F Major" by German Baroque composer Dietrich Buxtehude closes worship with an affect of unrelenting joy.

On this festive Generosity Campaign kick-off Sunday, eclectic musical offerings from our music ministry and guests bring us together in mission and worship.

Violinist Amy Welsh presents Mozart's "Violin Sonata No. 18, K. 301" during the Prelude and Postlude. Also known as the "Palatine Sonata", referring to its dedication to Countess Palatine Auguste in 1778, this concise lively work consists of only two movements which will be heard in its entirety: I. Allegro con spirito and II. Allegro.

The Plymouth Ringers return to the morning worship services with "Canon of Grace" by Linda Lamb. This lovely and inventive arrangement seamlessly combines themes from the infamous Pachelbel "Canon in D" with the beloved hymn tune "Amazing Grace."

During our time at the table, the Chancel Choir offers Mark Hayes' "Celtic Communion" with flutist Aaron McGrew. Based on the Gaelic hymn tune "Bunessan" (more commonly known as "Morning Has Broken"), the eucharistic text by Reginald Heber is joined with an adaptation of the Irish prayer "St. Patrick's Breastplate" traditionally attributed to St. Patrick.