Songs of the Spirit and the Christ-Light this weekend guide us on our Lenten wilderness trek. One community of fellow travelers — many gifts to share.

Violinist Harmony Tucker helps lead you into a worshipful space of centering and prayerful meditation during the Prelude with the "Adagio" from Handel's "Sonata No. 3 in F Major." Staff Singer Lucas Jackson introduces our Lenten thematic song "Broken Body of Christ" composed by Gary and Lenora Rand of The Many, a musical collective associated with the Convergence Music Project whose mission is to promote a just, generous and progressive Christianity. The Chancel Choir invites the congregation to join them for the Offertory Hymn-Anthem "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," a setting by Alfred Fedak based on the classic 19th century Lenten hymn tune "Rockingham." The organ closes worship with a stately setting by Paul Manz of the Henry Purcell hymn tune "Westminster Abbey," associated with the text "Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation."  

This Sunday morning, we experience songs and music reminding us of the ever-present Spirit in our own personal wilderness. 

Brooklyn McBride and Noah Kayl offer "Not in a Hurry" by Will Reagan at both services. The organ presents the sublime "My Jesus, Who Has Called Me" at 11:00 a.m. from Brahms' "Eleven Chorale Preludes," a foreshadowing of the composer's own death in 1897 similar to Jesus's allusions in the morning gospel reading. Also during the late morning service, the Chancel Choir sings the Shaker tune "Followers of the Lamb" in a setting by Robert Wetzler during communion. Finally, the organ sends you out assuredly into the world in a grand setting of the hymn tune "Westminster Abbey" (Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation) by Paul Manz. 

Songs of the Spirit for this Pentecost Sunday.

Subtle rhythms reminiscent of a tango gently percolate in Mark Sedio's setting of the hymn tune "Down Ampney" at the Prelude. Ralph Vaughan Williams composed the tune named after the village of his birth to the Pentecost text, "Come Down, O Love Divine." The work easily conforms to the arranger's performance instruction of playing it "Unhurried, with sultry elegance." 

Johann Sebastian Bach's concise yet glorious choral prelude on "Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist" (Come, God Creator, Holy Ghost) closes the service. Based on a 16th century Lutheran hymn with texts supplied by Martin Luther himself, the two-part BWV 667 is from the "Great Eighteen Chorale Preludes," a set of mature works by the composer. The first section has the melody set in the soprano and is also the abbreviated version found in Bach's "Orgelbüchlein" (little organ book.) The second section places the cantus firmus in the pedal while a flurry of notes streaming like the wind flows overhead on the manual.

Members of the Chancel Choir greet Pentecost Sunday with the choral anthem, "Come, Gracious Spirit" by Alfred Fedak. The folk tune "Danby" is treated sensitively in this simple yet artful two-part arrangement. This musical offering also marks the first time in this pandemic that choral music has been recorded live in the sanctuary.

Come join us for the live in-person 6:00 p.m. "eclectic" services beginning this Pentecost Sunday! It is such an appropriate time by chance that we would be able to come together in-person after so many months away on the "birthday" of the Church. Songs of the Spirit will continue as well as songs of hope and healthy change by musical artists Kacey Musgraves, Horace Silver, and David Bowie. "Veteran" 6:00 p.m. bassist Peter Strening joins cantor Blair Carpenter and I for this exciting and blessed opportunity as we near the end of this trying pandemic.