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PERSONAL PAGES     Home Page     Biography     Reading List     Favorites     Travels     Saints & Seasons       Advent       Christmas       Epiphany       Lent       Easter       Pentecost       Ordinary Time PROFESSIONAL PAGES     Resumé     Philosophy     Archives     Repertoire Lists      Larger Works      Adult Repertoire      Youth Repertoire      Childrens Repertoire      Handbell Reperoire A CELEBRATION OF GOD'S GRACE Better do a good deed near at home than go far away to burn incense. --Chinese proverb This world is like a fair. People gather for a while, then part. --Bahya ibn Paquda Duties of the Heart It is wise to work as well as study Torah: between the two, you will forget to sin. --Sayings of the Fathers April prepares her green traffic light and the world thinks Go. --Christopher Morley John Mistletoe As a white candle In a holy place So is the beauty Of an aged face. --Joseph Campbell The Old Woman We are firm believers in the maxim that, for all right judgment of any man (sic) or thing, it is useful, nay essential, to see his good qualities before pronouncing on his bad. --Thomas Carlyle Hate is like the plank of a bridge: once put in place, it stays there. --Talmud Sanhedrin Two things never come together--contentment and envy. --Ibn Gabirol Poverty is a blessing hated by all. --Italian proverb The greatest pleasure I know is to do a good action by stealth and to have it found out by accident. --Charles Lamb When a man (sic) is able to take abuse with a smile, he is worthy to become a leader. --Nachman of Bratslav For the ignorant, old age is winter; for the learned, it is the harvest. --Hasidic saying Every man (sic) is as Heaven made him, and sometimes a great deal worse. --Miguel Cervantes Don Quixote I had a little dog and my dog was very small; He licked me in the face, and he answered to my call; Of all the treasures that were mine I loved him most of all. --Frances Cornford A Child's Dream Knowledge is proud that he (sic) has learn'd so much; Wisdom is humble that he knows no more. --William Cowper Winter Walk at Noon Wait till I put aside my beard, for that never committed treason. --Sir Thomas More To the headsman on the scaffold You may break, you may shatter the vase if you will, But the scent of the roses will hang round it still. --Thomas Moore The Young May Moon And he who gives a child a treat Makes joy-bells ring in Heaven's street, And he who gives a child a home Builds palaces in Kingdom come. --John Masefield The Everlasting Mercy Remember this,--that very little is needed to make a happy life. --Marcus Aurelius Meditations Speech is civilization itself. The word, even the most contradictory word, preserves contact--it is silence which isolates. --Thomas Mann Friendship: one heart in two bodies. --Ibn Zabara Book of Delight

2007 Archives Music Ministry submissions for worship bulletins AC=Adult Choir; AR=Alleluia Ringers; CAc=Carol Choir; CR=Chancel Ringers; CC=Chapel Chimers; Ch=Cherubs; GNS=Good News Singers; HMR=Heavy Metal Ringers; JN=Joyful Noise; JR=Jubilation Ringers; O=Orchestra; SpS=SpiritSingers; V=Vocal Soloist(s); I=Instrumental Soloist(s) January 7, 2007    C: Epiphany Prelude "The Holly and the Ivy" (arr. Richard Proulx) LB Introit "From All That Dwell Below the Skies" (DUKE STREET) AC Anthem "I've Just Come from the Fountain" (arr. Robert Hobby) AC Offertory "'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime" (arr. Marily Biery) LB Response "Threefold Amen" (Danish) AC Postlude "In Thee Is Gladness" (arr. Theodore Beck) LB   Notes: John the Baptist proclaimed a baptism for repentance, and Jesus went to be baptized by him. Repentance was turning from being centered in self-interest to being centered in God. Jesus was so centered in God, we believe him to be divine as well as human. Our baptism effects the same kind of turn-about, and we spend our entire life growing in our union with Christ as we too become centered in God. This is the theme of the choral anthem this Sunday. Return to the top of the page January 14, 2007    C: Epiphany 2 Prelude "The Road Home . . .We Will Never Walk Alone" (Joseph Martin) LB Introit "Woke Up This Morning" (arr. J. Jefferson Cleveland) AC Anthem "Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life" (John Clements) AC Offertory (815) "Woke Up This Morning" (arr. J. Jefferson Cleveland) JN      (930 & 1100) "Guest gospel singer" () V Response "Amen, Amen" (arr. Nelsie T. Johnson) AC Postlude "Passacaglia on a Danish Three-fold Amen" (Martin Setchell) LB   Notes: Each person who pays attention to the various dimensions of life can name just a few people who have had an extraordinary, positive influence on them. We might even say they are our own contemporary saints, whose lives reflect a ‘centeredness’ in God’ Way. Likewise, in any generation in every culture, there occasionally arise persons of such positive impact that the entire society is better because they lived. The non-violent revolution led by Martin Luther King during the 1960s was the result of one man saying, “Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Both men followed a way that was a non-violent resistance to the powers of evil. The vocal music this Sunday reflects these themes and invites God’s Way into each of our lives. Return to the top of the page January 21, 2007    C: Epiphany 3 Prelude "Still, Still with Thee" (Felix Mendelssohn/Forrest) LB Introit "Stand Up and Bless the Lord" (ST. MICHAEL) AC Anthem "For My Soul Thirsteth for God" (Felix Mendelssohn) AC Offertory (815) "Don't Be Weary Traveller" (arr. Harry T. Burleigh) V      (930 & 1100) "My Lord, What a Morning" (arr. Hart Morris) JR Response "Go Now in Peace" (Natalie Sleeth) AC Postlude "Doxology" (Johann Pachelbel) LB   Notes: The thirsty soul is a favorite image for all who feel the deep need for God’s presence, whether it is in the words of Psalm 42 as in today’s anthem, or in the words of a new hymn writer. John Cone, library associate at West Virginia University, states it this way: Spring forth from the desert rock,/slake the thirst of Israel’s flock,/come, O rivers of delight,/come, water, come, clear, cool, bright. . . From God’s throne a river trace,/bright, clear, crystal, cool with grace./As you feed the healing tree,/come, water, come, nourish me. Return to the top of the page January 28, 2007    C: Epiphany 4 Prelude Guest Organist Anthem "A New Song" (Joseph Martin) SpS Offertory Guest Organist Postlude Guest Organist Return to the top of the page February 4, 2007    C: Epiphany 5 Prelude "Prayer" (Victor Hammerel) LB Introit "Santo, Santo, Santo" (arr. Roger Miller) AC Anthem "Walk Together, Children" (arr. William Henry Smith) AC Offertory "Blessing" (Richard Proulx) V Response "Send Me, Lord" (THUMA MINA) AC Postlude "Consolation in D-Flat Major" (Franz Liszt) LB   Notes: Christian community is formed by God’s grace and sustained by a love so profound it passes all understanding. This morning’s vocal music is an exhortation to walk, sing and shout together in preparation for the great camp meeting in the promised land. It is also a prayer for God’s grace to continue to unify us. Return to the top of the page February 11, 2007    C: Epiphany 6 Prelude "Prayer" (Victor Hammerel) LB Introit (930) "O Sing unto the Lord" (Ann Ker) AC      (1100) "Fanfare for Celebration" (Suzanne Krauss) HMR Anthem "Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive" (arr. James Laster) AC Offertory (815) "Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive" (DETROIT) JN      (930 & 1100) "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" (arr. Charles Callahan) LB Response "Twofold Amen" (Ann Ker) AC Postlude "Tallis Canon" (arr. Haig Mardirosian) LB   Notes: India-born Brit Rosamond Herklots was gardening one day, pulling out deep-rooted weeds that threatened to choke the life out of the plants she was nurturing, when an analogy occurred to her. The weeds seemed to be similar to bitterness and resentment among Christians that threatens to hinder our growth in grace. Her text references two passages from Christian scripture: “And forgive our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12) and “Bear with one another, and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Colossians 3:13) You are invited to follow the text at Hymn 390. Return to the top of the page February 18, 2007    C: Transfiguration Sunday Prelude "Whiter than Snow" (arr. Dan Forrest) LB Introit (930 & 1100) "All Praise to Thee" (Thomas Tallis) AC Anthem "How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place" (Johannes Brahms) AC Offertory (815 & 930) "O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee" (arr. Paul Karvonen) LB      (1100) "I Lift My Eyes to You, God" (Rudolf Lagi, arr. Carlton Young) SpS Response "Amen" (John Rutter) AC Postlude "Tallis Canon" (arr. Haig Mardirosian) LB   Notes: When Jesus experienced his transfiguration, Peter and the other disciples wanted to built three shrines to commemorate and preserve their ‘mountain-top’ experience. Such a response is a normal human desire. Solomon built the first Temple on top of the mountain in Jerusalem as a beautiful setting for the ark of the covenant and for worshiping God. John described heaven as a beautiful city where God’s children may spend eternity praising God. Johannes Brahms used the same emotion as the centerpiece for his Requiem. The Adult Choir sings that music and the SpiritSingers sing “I Lift My Eyes to You, God” to mark this Transfiguration Sunday and to describe the goal of life’s pilgrimage. Return to the top of the page February 21, 2007    C: Ash Wednesday Prelude "Meditation for Ash Wednesday" (June Nixon) LB Introit "Lenten Proclamation" (James Chepponis) AC, SpS & JR Anthem "Hide Not Thou Thy Face from Me, O God" (Richard Farrant) AC Offertory "Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross" (arr. Kevin McChesney) CR Response "Threefold Amen" (Danish) AC Postlude "Elegy" (Richard Lloyd) LB   Return to the top of the page February 25, 2007    C: Lent 1 Prelude "Kyrie Eleison" (Kevin Fontana) LB Introit (930) "Praise the Lord for Grace and Favor" (LAUDA ANIMA) AC      (1100) "Be with Me" (Marty Haugen) GNS Anthem "I Have Longed for Thy Saving Health" (William Byrd) AC Offertory (815) "Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley" (Traditional) JN      (930) "CWM Rhondda Festal" (arr. Anna Laura Page) JN      (1100) "Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley" (arr. Douglas Wagner) AR Response "Let Us Now Depart in Thy Peace" (New Mexico Folk Song) AC Postlude "Prelude and Fugue in E Minor" (JS Bach) LB   Notes: The Letter to the Hebrews states that Jesus is able to intercede for us because he was like us in every way except sin. On this first Sunday in Lent we are reminded that he went through severe temptation as he prepared for his ministry. He was tempted to use power, to seek glory and to do great good things as he inaugurated the kingdom of God on earth. He resisted and chose instead to walk through the lonesome valley of self-sacrifice in order to make God’s saving health available to all humanity. Today’s choral music refers to these themes. Return to the top of the page March 4, 2007    C: Lent 2 Prelude "Chorale and Variations" (John Marsh) LB Introit "I Will Extol Thee" (James Rivers) AC Anthem "Welcome Table" (arr. Alice Parker) AC Offertory (815 & 930) "Attende Domine" (Andrew Moore) LB      (1100) "Come to Me" (Bradley Ellingboe) SpS Response "Peace" (James Rivers) AC Postlude "Our Father Which Art in Heaven" (JS Bach) LB   Notes: The traditional spiritual, “Welcome Table,” speaks of everyone having a place at the heavenly banquet. This foretaste of the feast of the Lamb is an ancient theme of Communion and part of the rich panoply of metaphors surrounding the Lord’s Supper. Master arranger, Alice Parker, used it in her large work “The Family Reunion – A Backyard Opera,” which is a celebration of the joys of living in families. The Adult Choir sings her arrangement this morning. Another Communion metaphor is finding health for the soul in the body and blood of Christ. The youth sing an invitation for all who are hurting to find rest in Christ. Return to the top of the page March 11, 2007    C: Lent 3 Prelude "When Adam Fell" (Gottfried August Homilius) LB Introit (930) "Blessed Be the Name" (Campmeeting Chorus) AC      (1100) "Grant Me, O God" (Michael Bedford) CaC Anthem "See What Love" (Felix Mendelssohn) AC Offertory (815) "For the Bread Which You Have Broken" (BENG-LI) JN      (930) "When Jesus Wept" (arr. Fran Underwood) I      (1100) "When Jesus Wept" (arr. Douglas Wagner) AR Response "Threefold Amen" (Danish) AC Postlude "Great Is Our God" (arr. Dale Wood) LB   Notes: Felix Mendelssohn, grandson of the still-influential philosopher, Moses Mendelssohn, was born a Jew in 19th-century Germany. His father had Felix and his sister, Fanny, baptized Lutheran in hopes of avoiding the anti-Semitism of the day. A century later, Hitler banned his music from Germany because of his Jewish birth. In addition to setting many Psalms and hymns, Mendelssohn wrote three large musical portraits of epic figures from the Bible: Elijah, Paul, and Christ. This morning’s Adult Choir anthem comes from Paulus, and has the text “See what love hath the Father bestowed on us in His goodness, that we should be called God’s own children.” Such love reflects the picture of grace without price in Isaiah 55. Return to the top of the page March 18, 2007    C: Lent 4 Prelude (815 & 930) "Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus" (arr. Helen H. Lemmel) LB      (1100) "Meditation" (Chopin-Forest) LB & I Introit (930) "Bless the Lord" (Jacques Berthier) AC      (1100) "Etude in G Minor" (John A. Behnke) HMR Anthem "Sometimes I Feel like a Motherless Child" (arr. Howard Helvey) AC Offertory (815 & 1100) "I Need Thee Every Hour" (arr. Steven Scott) LB      (930) "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" (arr. Joel Raney & Arnold Sherman) AC Response "Threefold Amen" (Philip Baker) AC Postlude "Christ lag in Todesbanden" (JS Bach) LB   Notes: Sometimes it is hard to escape the feeling that everything dear is gone, that we separated from all that has nurtured us and been good for us, that we are in exile. Those in slavery around the world today certainly share the feelings that a motherless child must feel. The biblical experience of exile was the metaphoric desert from which African-American slaves and the prodigal son trod with heavy lament. Their journey was to God and with God; in our exiles, our journey can only be to God and with God. The Adult Choir sings this spiritual of lament this morning. Return to the top of the page March 25, 2007    C: Lent 5 Prelude "Lenten Lament" (Betty Roe) LB Introit (930) "Holy God, We Praise Thy Name" (GROSSER GOTT) AC      (1100) "Sing to the Lord" (Antonio Vivaldi, arr. Hal Hopson) SpS Anthem "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (JS Bach) AC Offertory (815) "Lamb of God" (Twila Paris) JN      (930) "Ah, Holy Jesus" (Johannes Brahms) LB      (1100) "Cantemos al Señor" (Carlos Rosas) GNS Response (930) "Threefold Amen" (Vincent Persichetti) AC      (1100) "The Trees of the Field" (Ruben/Dauermann) GNS Postlude "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" (Johannes Brahms) LB   Notes: When the anonymous woman poured expensive ointment over Jesus’ feet, she was expressing her adoration for the savior of the world. For 20 centuries, adoration like that has caused ordinary people to raise huge sums of money to build awesome cathedrals, install uplifting pipe organs, and commission great works of art in the centers of Christian worship. It has inspired people to enter ministry, monastery, and mission field, to otherwise give their lives in service to the world. The Adult Choir sings of that adoration in a very familiar, well-loved 18th-century equivalent to “O How I Love Jesus.” Return to the top of the page April 1, 2007    C: Palm/Passion Sunday Prelude "Entrada" (Eduardo Torres) LB Introit (930) "Mantos y Palmas" (Reubén Ruiz Avila) AC Anthem "Hosanna to the Son of David" (Malcolm Archer) AC Offertory (815) "Hosanna" (Christian Gregor, arr. Roberta Bitgood) V      (930 & 1100) "Behold the Lamb of God" (Craig Courtney) AC Response (930) "Amen" (Peter C. Lutkin) AC Postlude "Adagio in G Minor" (Tomaso Albinoni) LB   Notes: Jesus often enters lives as he entered Jerusalem bringing an odd mixture of party and pain. The ecstatic joy of conversion soon becomes the way of the cross as followers echo the Lord’s example and learn to live, and give, their lives for others. The experience happens to people around the world and in all generations, so the vocal music this Sunday comes from several different cultures: a solo from the 18th-century Moravian tradition; an opening sentence from the Latin American church; a musical faith-expression from the English cathedral; and an anthem from the American evangelical tradition. Return to the top of the page April 5, 2007    C: Holy Thursday Prelude "Ah, Holy Jesus" (Helmut Walcha) LB Introit "Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross" (NEAR THE CROSS) AC Offertory "Ah, Holy Jesus" (arr. John Ferguson) AC Response "Twofold Amen" (Vincent Persichetti) AC Return to the top of the page April 5, 2007    C: Good Friday Prelude "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" (Pamela Decker) LB Introit "O Come and Mourn" (Loonis McGlohon) AC Anthem "What Wondrous Love" (WONDROUS LOVE) AC Anthem "Behold the Savior of Mankind" (Charles D. Cooper) AC Return to the top of the page April 8, 2007    C: Easter Sunday Prelude "Easter Morn (Fantasy on Old Easter Themes)" (Camil Van Hulse) LB & GB Introit "Easter People, Raise Your Voices" (REGENT SQUARE) AC Anthem "The Day of Resurrection" (Thomas Matthews) AC Offertory "A Tanzanian Alleluia" (Jeffrey Honoré) JR Response "Alleluia, Amen" (Roger G. Miller) AC Postlude "Prelude in C Major" (JS Bach) GB   Notes: How great the anxiety the women, and later, a few of the disciples, felt when they approached the tomb of Jesus! How great our anxiety as we approach the death of the old ways of thinking and doing that keep us from centering our lives in Christ! How great the joy the disciples experienced when they realized that Christ had broken the bonds of sin and death as a seed dies in order to become alive! How great our joy when we experience the freedom, the new life, that Christ gives from the old slaveries that bound us! In springtime celebration of death and new life, we use many instruments to help us sing with wild abandon our love songs to the Lamb for new life in the Spirit. Return to the top of the page April 22, 2007    C: Easter 3 Prelude "This Joyful Eastertide" (arr. David Cherwien) LB Introit "Christ the Lord Is Risen" (GARU) AC Anthem "Hallelujah, Amen" (GF Handel) AC Offertory (815) "Christ Has Risen" (HOLY MANNA) JN      (930) "Toccata" (Michael Helman) JR & CR      (1100) "Ring Joy" (Kirtsy Mitchell) AR Response "Alleluia, Amen" (Carl Wiltse) AC Postlude "Christ the Lord Is Risen" (arr. Richard Proulx) LB   Notes: In recent years, United Methodists have celebrated Easter as a season rather than a day; it lasts until Pentecost (May 27, this year). In grand opera of the 18th century, the end of Act 2 was a large ensemble or choral number; for Handel this often meant a Hallelujah Chorus. He wrote at least 18 of them. The Adult Choir sings the one from his oratorio Judas Maccabaeus this Sunday; the other ‘performed’ music is also appropriate for Easter. Return to the top of the page May 6, 2007    C: Easter 5 Prelude "Christ Is Arisen" (arr. Anton Wilhelm Leupold) LB Introit "O Come, Let Us Sing" (James Rivers) AC Anthem "If Ye Love Me" (Thomas Tallis) AC Offertory "The Lord's My Shepherd" (Barbara Harbach) JN Response "Threefold Amen" (James Rivers) AC Postlude "Scherzetto" (Alan Viner) LB   Notes: Jesus issued very few commands. One that has proved difficult for Christians to keep for two millennia has been to love each other as he loved us. There is evidence of intense conflict between groups of believers as early as New Testament days, and there are several chasms between Christians in our own day, and, of course, the Protestant Reformation is a prime example of diatribe and bloodshed between Jesus’ followers. During the English Reformation, Thomas Tallis wrote music both in Latin under Catholic monarchs and in English under Protestant ones. Somehow he managed to avoid the purges that accompanied the political and religious swings of that day. Today the Adult Choir sings his setting of Jesus’ love commandment. Return to the top of the page May 13, 2007    C: Easter 6 Prelude "Easter's Joy" (Simon Clark) LB Introit "Praise the Lord" (Ann Ker) AC Anthem "Peace I Leave with You" (Richard Maxwell, arr. Lara Hoggard) AC Offertory (815) "Over My Head" (arr. John Bell) JN       (930 & 1100) "For the Beauty of the Earth" (arr. James E. Clemens) LB Response "Fivefold Amen" (Ann Ker) AC Postlude "Go, My Children, with My Blessing" (arr. Kevin Hildebrand) LB   Notes: In Jesus’ final discourses to his disciples at the Last Supper, he promises that the Holy Spirit will be with them after his death. He also promises that he will leave them peace quite unlike any peace the world gives. In the context of his whole ministry, that means peace very different from economic security or the peace that can be imposed by political power. His peace is the peace that comes from being centered in God and living by God’s values. This morning the Joyful Noise sing of the connection to the spiritual world and the Adult Choir sings of the peace promised by Christ. Return to the top of the page May 20, 2007    C: Ascension Sunday Prelude "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" (arr. Charles Callahan) LB Introit "Come, Let Us Sweetly Join" (CANTERBURY) AC Anthem "And Can It Be?" (Ludmilla Garbozova, arr. Carlton R. Young) AC Offertory (815) "And Can It Be?" (Ludmilla Garbuzova, arr. Carlton R. Young) V       (930 & 1100) "All Praise to Our Redeeming Lord" (arr. Lim Swee Hong) V Response "Blest Be the Dear Uniting Love" (EVAN) AC Postlude "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing" (AZMON) LB   Notes: “O for a thousand tongues to sing my great redeemer’s praise.” Whether Charles Wesley meant a thousand languages or a thousand people, he certainly wished to amplify his own joyous response to God’s grace to a decibel level that would take the message of salvation to all nations. His text, “And Can It Be,” was written in 18th-century England; today’s anthem tune was written by a 20th-century Russian Methodist church musician from Moscow, and arranged by a 20th-century American Methodist church musician. His hymns have been sung for 250 years; surely his praise has reached the far corners of the earth. Return to the top of the page May 27, 2007    C: Pentecost Sunday Prelude "Komm, heiliger Geist" (arr. Georg Friedrich Kauffmann) LB Introit "O Sing unto the Lord" (Ann Ker) AC Anthem "The Day of Pentecost" (Barrie Cabena) AC Offertory (815) "She Comes Sailing on the Wind" (Gordon Light) JN       (930) "Come, Holy Ghost" (arr. Mary Beth Bennett) LB Response "Amen" (Roger Miller) AC Postlude "On Eagle's Wings" (arr. Marilynn Ham) LB Return to the top of the page June 3, 2007    C: Trinity Sunday Prelude "This Is My Father's World" (arr. Dorothy Howell Sheets) LB Introit "Holy God, We Praise Thy Name" (GROSSER GOTT) AC Anthem "For the Beauty of the Earth" (John Rutter) AC Offertory (815) "I Want Jesus to Walk with Me" (arr. Lynn L. Peterson) LB       (930 & 1100) "I Want Jesus to Walk with Me" (arr. Dan Edwards) JR Response "Threefold Amen" (Vincent Persichetti) AC Postlude "Foundation" (arr. Bonnie Barrett) LB   Notes: Psalm 8 rejoices in the glory of God’s creation. “You have set your glory above the heavens.” The beloved “For the Beauty of the Earth” responds to the magnificence of creation with a hymn of praise. The Adult Choir sings a setting of the text this Sunday and the Jubilation Ringers ring a response to the last stanza of the hymn. Return to the top of the page June 10, 2007    C: 2nd Sunday after Pentecost Prelude "Service Prelude" (Flor Peeters) LB Introit "Praise Ye the Lord" (NEW 150th) AC Anthem "Praise the Lord" (JG Neumann) AC Offertory (815) "Praise the Source of Faith and Learning" (HYFRYDOL) JN       (930 & 1100) "" () V Response "Praise Ye the Lord" (NEW 150th) AC Postlude "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho" (arr. Mark Hayes) LB   Notes: Academic achievement is a milestone in anyone’s life, a pause for reflection and rejoicing and a platform for launching the next phase of life and career. Poet and Professor of Preaching at Iliff Theological Seminary, Thomas Troeger, wrote a challenging hymn on the relationship between faith and learning that has been included in The Faith We Sing (#2004). In that hymn, he asserts that intellectual and scientific endeavors are compatible with faith; in fact, they are mutually reinforcing. The Joyful Noise sings that hymn this morning. Return to the top of the page June 17, 2007    C: 3rd Sunday after Pentecost Prelude (815) "Neno Lake Mungu (Listen, God Is Calling)"       (arr. Anne Krentz Organ) LB       (930 & 1100) "God of Our Fathers" (arr. Fran Underwood) Summer HB Introit "This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made" (TWENTY-FOURTH) AC Anthem "Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy" (arr. Raymond Haan) AC Offertory (815) "Petit Offertoire" (Henri Mulet) LB       (930 & 1100) "With Joy and Gladness" (Douglas Wagner) Summer HB Response "Amen" (John Rutter) AC Postlude "Song of the Lark" (PI Tschaikovsky) LB   Notes: In Jesus’ day the word sinner could refer to those who did not keep the ritual law or to those who did not keep the moral law. They were considered to be equally important. While the definition of “sinner” has changed (for us it refers only to the moral law), the call to repentance is the same. Turn away from your sins, and live the way God intended all persons to live. We are complex people, however. We are sinners, yet we do deeds of compassion, and acts of adoration, just like the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with ointment. The Adult Choir sings of the call to repentance today, and the Summer Bells ring of the joy experienced in adoring and following Christ. Return to the top of the page June 24, 2007    C: 4th Sunday after Pentecost Prelude "It Is Well with My Soul" (arr. Marilynn Ham) LB Introit "Stand Up and Bless the Lord" (ST. MICHAEL) AC Anthem "There Is a Balm in Gilead" (arr. William Dawson) AC Offertory (815) "When Jesus the Healer" (Peter D. Smith) JN       (930 & 1100) "Prelude No. 10" (Alexander Scriabin) I Response "Twofold Amen" (Greek) AC Postlude "Here I Am, Lord" (arr. Janet Linker) LB   Notes: One of Jesus’ principal ministries was to heal the sick. He did it personally and on his own authority. Coma, paralysis, lack of sight or mobility, leprosy or other skin diseases, mental disorders—all health blights were subject to his command. When he sent the disciples out on their missions, he told them to do the same. One could well say, “Without Jesus, life is dis-ease; with Jesus, health/wholeness/salvation is possible. The Adult Choir sings today of the healing that Jesus brings. Return to the top of the page July 1, 2007    C: 5th Sunday after Pentecost Prelude "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" (arr. Jack C. Goode) LB Anthem "Finding God" (John Bell) AC Offertory "Hold On" (arr. Edward Boatner) V Response "Amen" (Louis Bourgeois) AC Postlude "Fantasy on RESIGNATION" (Joseph Martin) LB   Notes: “No one who puts their hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” This tough statement by Jesus is easy to understand with reference to the Christian life, but very difficult to live out. When we commit to following Jesus, we leave behind the seemingly easy way of following the broad highway of the dominant culture, and look forward to the joy and full integrity of Jesus’ way, the narrow path of loving God and neighbor, the high(er) way of disciplined behavior that expresses those loves. Such commitment is undermined by yearning for the former lifestyle, so Jesus cautioned his followers to keep their eyes focused ahead so their furrows in the field of life would be straight. This morning’s solo is based on this metaphor. Return to the top of the page July 8, 2007    C: 6th Sunday after Pentecost Anthem "Stay with Us" (arr. Walter Pelz) AC Offertory (815) "If Today You Hear His Voice" (David Haas) JN       (930 & 1100) "" () Flute Duet Response "Threefold Amen" (Traditional) AC   Notes: When Jesus sent the seventy disciples on their mission throughout Galilee, he instructed to do certain things in places where they were accepted, and to do other things when they were rejected. Some of those procedures still apply to us as we engage in mission in Christ’s name. Many Christians throughout the world view America today as mission territory. The question then becomes, “How do we receive those who come to inspire and challenge us in the name of Christ?” The choral anthems today relate to that question. Return to the top of the page July 15, 2007    C: 7th Sunday after Pentecost Anthem "Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace" (Sebastian Temple) AC Offertory "The Good Samaritan" (Peter B. Allen) V Response "Fourfold Amen" (Ken Barker) AC   Notes: “Go and do likewise.” Jesus did not intend the parable of the Good Samaritan to be just a nice story for nice people, but as a challenge to all who follow him. Samaritans were looked upon by Jews in Jesus’ day with about as much disdain as we view terrorists. Among other things, they were seen as blasphemers, a serious crime; in fact, it was the offense invoked by those who wanted Jesus dead. The contemporary question in every generation is whether or not we will be a neighbor to those we find most repulsive. Conversely, will we receive neighborly acts from those same “repulsive” neighbors? The solo this morning tells again this beloved story. Return to the top of the page July 22, 2007    C: 8th Sunday after Pentecost Anthem "Immortal, Invisible" (Eric Thiman) AC Offertory (815) "Lord, You Have the Words" (David Haas) JN       (930 & 1100) "" () I Response "Fourfold Amen" (John Stainer) AC   Notes: The letter to the Colossians is one of the main sources of our images for Christ as a cosmic figure, co-eternal with God, “the image of the invisible God.” The familiar hymn “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” (No. 103) develops these images in the language of the mid-19th century. The Adult Choir sings the sturdy Welsh tune in the hymnal this morning in an arrangement by a British composer from the 2nd quarter of the last century. Eric Thiman was praised in his day for composing out of his sense of the essential modesty of church music, that is, vigorous but not flashy, lyrical but not sentimental. Return to the top of the page July 29, 2007    C: 9th Sunday after Pentecost Anthem "Lord, You Have the Words" (David Haas) AC Offertory "" () I Response "Twofold Amen" (Dresden) AC   Notes: In her memoir, The Desert Pilgrimage, Mary Swander came to a crossroads in dealing with a serious health crisis. Severe, chronic pain can either build character or destroy an individual. She did not acknowledge it explicitly, but it is clear that God’s prevenient grace led her to two people who assisted her on the road back to faith and health. Her unarticulated prayer was heard by God, who answers all prayer. This morning the Adult Choir sings of being rooted in Christ by means of prayer. Return to the top of the page August 5, 2007    C: 10th Sunday after Pentecost Introit "God, Whose Love Is Reigning O'er Us" (LAUDA ANIMA) AC Anthem "Do This in Remembrance of Me" (Judy Hunnicutt) AC Offertory "" () I Response "Twofold Amen" (Danish) AC   Notes: The technical word is anamnesis. Whereas a photograph of a past event causes us to remember the pictured event as it was, communion causes us to remember and make present the events told in the gospels. We make them present by appropriating them into the patterns of life today, into the character we are forming by Christ’s spirit. As the bread and wine become part of our bodies, so the saving work of Christ becomes part of who we are, and we become part of the witness of the Spirit in today’s world. Today the Adult Choir sings of remembering Christ in the Communion. Return to the top of the page August 12, 2007    C: 11th Sunday after Pentecost Introit "From All That Dwell Below the Skies" (DUKE STREET) AC Anthem "Lo, I Am With You" (John Bell) AC Offertory (815) "Lo, I Am With You" (John Bell) JN       (930 & 1100) "Aria (Cantilena" (Heitor Villa Lobos, arr. Primrose) I Response "Twofold Amen" (Vincent Persichetti) AC   Notes: John Bell is one of the worship and music leaders of Iona, the Protestant monastic community in Scotland. That group blends worship and social action, particularly in inner city ministries around the world. They do their difficult work in the assurance that God is with them in all circumstances—in leaving self behind, in the struggle for peace, in suffering for love, and in the way of the cross—to the end of the world. Therefore, they have no fear in facing the unknown and in standing with the downtrodden in the midst of their suffering. The choirs today sing of God’s presence. Return to the top of the page August 19, 2007    C: 12th Sunday after Pentecost Introit "The God of Abraham Praise" (LEONI) AC Anthem "All Praise to Our Redeeming Lord" (arr. Lim Swee Hong) AC Offertory (930 & 1100) "Where Shall I Be" (arr. William Grant Still) V Response "Alleluia, Amen" (Carl Wiltse) AC   Notes: The great joy in the wonderful passage in the Letter to the Hebrews regarding the great cloud of witnesses that surround and support us is beautifully expressed by Charles Wesley in his hymn “All Praise to Our Redeeming Lord.” The community of faith has examples of faithfulness from history and martyrs of their personal knowledge. The community has the task of supporting each other, building up each other, and growing in grace. The Adult Choir sings that Wesley hymn today. Return to the top of the page August 26, 2007    C: 13th Sunday after Pentecost Introit "Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above" (MIT FREUDEN ZART) AC Anthem "To You, O Lord" (Marty Haugen) AC Offertory (815) "To You, O Lord" (Marty Haugen) JN       (930 & 1100) "" () V Response "Threefold Amen" (Vincent Persichetti) AC   Notes: In everyone’s life there are times when we need to be active in doing God’s work in the world, and there are times when we need rest, recuperation, and healing. Often these times overlap in the same event: those in need of healing are recipients of the activity of healers. Psalm 71 says “In you, O LORD, I take refuge...incline your ear to me and save me.” This Sunday, the choirs sing of looking to God for refuge in just such times of need. Return to the top of the page September 2, 2007    C: 14th Sunday after Pentecost Prelude "Come, O Long-Expected Jesus" (arr. Mark Sedio) LB Introit "Make a Joyful Noise" (Ann Ker) AC Anthem "Bless the Lord, O My Soul" (Timothy Kimbrough) AC Offertory (815) "Bless the Lord, O My Soul" (Timothy Kimbrough) V       (930 & 1100) "Dancing with God" () I Response "Threefold Amen" (Philip Baker) AC Postlude "How Can I Keep from Singing" (arr. Lani Smith) LB   Notes: Psalm 103 is a joyous expression of the satisfaction that comes when we rely on God for all things. God satisfies all our needs, is compassionate and ready to forgive, and loves more than the distance from east to west and north to south. Timothy Kimbrough has set these words and emotions to an infectious, dancing melody that is sure to make us all smile. Return to the top of the page September 9, 2007    C: 15th Sunday after Pentecost Prelude "Prelude on Morning Song" (arr. David Paxton) LB Introit "O Sing unto the Lord" (Ann Ker) AC Anthem "Cantique de Jean Racine" (Gabriel Fauré) AC Offertory (815) "Praise Ye the Lord" (J. Jefferson Cleveland) JN       (930 & 1100) "Make a Joyful Noise" (William Mathias) AC Response "Amen" (Peter Lutkin) AC Postlude "Allegro con brio" (F.J. Haydn) LB   Notes: Church musicians used to be taught that music for worship was either praise or prayer—as if those categories could be separated from each other, and as if they were the only ones possible. One only needs to read the Psalms to find many other expressions of worship for musical settings, and that most Psalms combine several of them in the same song. Today, on Messiah Day, the Adult Choir will sing a prayer that our worship be worthy. They will also sing an exhortation to make a loud and joyful noise to God—who is God, and we are not. Return to the top of the page September 16, 2007    C: 16th Sunday after Pentecost Prelude "If You But Trust in God to Guide You" (arr. Kevin Hildebrand) LB Introit "Praise the Lord!" (Ann Ker) AC Anthem "Sicut Cervus" (G.P. da Palestrina) AC Offertory "Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer" (arr. Benjamin Culli) LB Response "Tenfold Amen" (Ann Ker) AC Postlude "Piece for Pedal" (J.S. Bach) LB   Notes: Spiritual growth takes place only when the time is right: often in times of distress, but also when other motivators are active. Psalm 42:1 describes such a time of distress, a time of thirst that recalls the Beatitude of Jesus, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. The Adult Choir sings this verse today in a Latin motet from the 16th century. The composer, Palestrina, wrote music that still is considered to be the most perfect expression of ‘spiritual’ theology. Return to the top of the page September 23, 2007    C: 17th Sunday after Pentecost Prelude "Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ" (arr. Mark Sedio) LB Introit "I Will Extol Thee" (James Rivers) AC Anthem "Order My Steps" (Glenn Burleigh) AC Offertory (815) "Whom Shall I Send?" (DEUS TUORUM MILITUM) JN       (930 & 1100) "Hear de Lambs A-Cryin'" (H.T. Burleigh) V Response "Threefold Amen" (James Rivers) AC Postlude "Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service" (arr. Wilbur Held) LB   Notes: Whenever we strive to live out Messiah’s motto of “Serving God through Serving Others,” our activity always is rooted in our understanding of what God calls us to do. It is, in effect, “ordered by God’s Word.” This Sunday, the Joyful Noise sing of responding to God’s call, and the Adult Choir sings of being rooted firmly in the Word of God. Return to the top of the page September 30, 2007    C: 18th Sunday after Pentecost Prelude "When in Our Music God Is Glorified" (arr. Richard Proulx) LB Introit "Praise the Lord!" (Ann Ker) AC Anthem "I Will Praise Your Name" (David Haas) AC Offertory (815) "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" (ABERYSTWYTH) JN       (930 & 1100) "Now We Offer" (arr. Jeffery Honoré) LB Response "Threefold Amen" (Ann Ker) AC Postlude "Epilogue for Trumpet" (Tom Birchwood) LB   Notes: Psalm 145 praises God for God’s awesome deeds and abundant goodness, graciousness and mercy, faithfulness and succor—all the reasons why we give to God’s work in the world as part of our praise. This Sunday, the Joyful Noise sings of God’s love for us and the Adult Choir sings verses from Psalm 145. Return to the top of the page October 7, 2007    C: 19th Sunday after Pentecost Prelude "Meditation on 'Picardy'" (Edward Beals) LB Introit "Jesus, We Are Here" (Patrick Matsikenyiri) AC Anthem "Come and Eat This Living Bread" (Rob Glover) AC Offertory "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee" (Eric Thiman) V Response "Ameni" (trad. South African) AC Postlude "Here, O Lord, Your Servants Gather" (arr. Philip Jones) LB   Notes: World Communion Sunday is a time to celebrate our connectedness with other generation, other denominations, and other geographical areas of the world than our own. It is good to know and treasure our core, our comfort zone—our local tradition, and it is also good to have a larger vision and perspective and to keep the two in creative tension. This Sunday the Adult Choir sings a refrain that is a 13th-century Gregorian chant, with contemporary stanzas. The solo is from an English parish church, and the choral responses are from Africa. Return to the top of the page October 14, 2007    C: 20th Sunday after Pentecost Prelude "This Is My Father's World" (arr. Dan Forrest) LB Introit (930) "I Will Worship the Lord" (John Rutter) AC      (1100) "Psalm 150" (John Harper) SpS Anthem "Blessed Be" (Hank Beebe) AC Offertory (815) "God, Who Began a Good Work in You" (Jon Mohr) JN       (930) "Praise the Lord, Rise Up Rejoicing" (arr. Gerhard Krapf) LB       (1100) "Lord, We Are Your People" (Mark Patterson) GNS Response "Hallelujah" (Henry Purcell) AC Postlude "Little Prelude and Fugue in C Major" (J.S. Bach) LB   Notes: The 1960s and 1970s were decades when barriers broke down in many aspects of our society. Elvis Presley and the Beatles were largely responsible in the world of pop music, and Richard Avery and Donald Marsh loosened many strictures in the church. While almost none of the pop style church music of that time has survived (mercifully!), the gift of the decade to us is the freedom to use instruments other than piano and organ, and forms of expression that are relevant to our own time. This morning the Adult Choir sings an anthem of the ‘70s that comes from a Broadway musical composer, music that is somewhat dated but a dancing expression of the joy of resurrection faith. Return to the top of the page October 21, 2007    C: 21st Sunday after Pentecost Prelude "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" (arr. Don Hustad) LB Introit "All Praise to Thee, My God, This Day" (Thomas Tallis) AC Anthem "Sing Out a Joyful Song in Praise" (Dale Wood) AC & JR Offertory (815) "Petite Offertoire" (Henri Mulet) LB       (930 & 1100) "Come Sunday" (Duke Ellington) V & I Response "May You Run and Not Be Weary" (Paul Murakami & Handt Hanson) AC Postlude "Toccata in C Major" (JS Bach) GB   Notes: Sharing the joy of a life transformed by Christ takes many forms, including serving, witnessing, giving, and making music. This Sunday, three of our finest musicians use that medium to share their joy in a jazz trio based on Duke Ellington’s hymn from one of his sacred services. The anthem combines voices, organ and handbells in a lyrical dance of praise. Return to the top of the page October 28, 2007    C: 22nd Sunday after Pentecost Prelude "Ellacombe" (arr. Richard Warner) LB Introit (930) "Stand Up and Bless the Lord" (ST. MICHAEL) AC       (1100) "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" (HYMN TO JOY) CC & HMR Anthem "Sing Praise to the Lord" (C. Hubert H. Parry, arr. Jack Schrader) AC Offertory (815) "We Are God's People" (SYMPHONY) JN      (930) "Ring Praise, O My Soul" (Margaret R. Tucker) CR      (1100) "Do Lord" (arr. Valerie Stephenson) Response "Twofold Amen" (DRESDEN) AC Postlude "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho" (arr. Mark Hayes) GB   Notes: In every location, in each generation, there are just a few signature pieces of church music that capture the essence of that time and place. Palestrina’s Missa Papae Marcellae was one for 16th-century Italian Catholics, and Crüger’s Now Thank We All Our God identifies 17th-century German Lutherans. One of the great hymn tunes of the English cathedral tradition at the turn of the 20th century was Laudate Dominum by C. Hubert H. Parry, a tune that deserves much more attention on ‘this side of the pond.’ The Adult Choir sings an arrangement of this joyful hymn of praise this morning. Return to the top of the page November 4, 2007    C: All Saints Sunday Prelude "Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones" (arr. John Behnke) LB Introit "Let Us with a Joyful Mind" (INNOCENTS) AC Anthem "I Sing a Song of the Saints of God" (Rob Glover) AC, SpS & GNS Offertory "For All the Saints" (arr. David Cherwien) LB Response "Twofold Amen" (Greek) AC Postlude "Agincourt Hymn" (John Dunstable) LB   Notes: Christianity is a historical religion. Jesus lived and died in a particular time and place, and ministered in a particular culture, just as we do in our time, place and culture. We are dependent in many ways to those who have gone before us. That would include our parents, the Wesleys who founded the Methodist movement, the Reformers who helped correct the church’s errors in their day, the medieval Scholastics who clarified some of the things we believe, and the early church fathers who developed the custom of singing hymns that were not strictly from the Bible. One reason to sing music from historical eras as well as our own is to acknowledge our spiritual connection to former generations of believers. The choirs sing of these saints today. Return to the top of the page November 11, 2007    C: 24th Sunday after Pentecost Prelude 815 & 930) "Fairest Lord Jesus" (arr. Lynnette Maynard) LB       (1100) "" () LB & GB Introit "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing" (AZMON) AC Anthem "The Power of Christ" (Eugene Butler) AC Offertory (815) "Let Us with a Joyful Mind" (INNOCENTS) JN       (930) "If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee" (arr. Kenneth Lowenberg) CR       (1100) "Alleluia" (Ned Rorem) LB & GB Response "Threefold Amen" (Danish) AC Postlude "Our Father Who Art in Heaven" (JS Bach) LB       (930) "Alleluia" (Ned Rorem) LB & GB       (1100) "Water Music" (GF Handel) LB & GB   Notes: Drawing texts from 2 Peter and 1 John, Eugene Butler has crafted an anthem that states the resurrection faith and ethics of Christians. Apostolic witnesses and scripture that acts like a light shining out of darkness all point to the central figure of our faith, Jesus the Christ. Built on the anthem of praise that the Adult Choir sings, the Joyful Noise sings of the joy to be found in God’s mercy. The handbells ring of that joy and of centering in Christ. Return to the top of the page November 18, 2007    C: 25th Sunday after Pentecost Prelude (815) "Holy Manna" (arr. Joseph Martin) LB       (930 & 1100) "All Creatures of Our God and King" (arr. James Curnow) I Introit (930) "This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made" (TWENTY-FOURTH) AC       (1100) "Make a Joyful Noise unto the Lord" (Jimmy Owens) CaC Anthem "All Good Gifts" (Stephen Schwartz, arr. Richard Walters) AC Offertory (815) "All Good Gifts" (Stephen Schwartz, arr. Richard Walters) RM       (930) "Toccata for Harvest" (Martin Setchell) LB       (1100) "I Am Thine, O Lord" (arr. Lynette Maynard) LB Response "Fourfold Amen" (John Stainer) AC Postlude (815) "Toccata for Harvest" (Martin Setchell) LB       (930) "Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven" (LAUDA ANIMA) I       (1100) "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" (EIN FESTE BURG) I   Notes: The Broadway musical, Godspell, provides us with several outstanding tunes for use in worship. “All Good Gifts” is a text from 16th-century Germany that was given a ‘cool’ ballad tune for the musical. An arrangement for choir and keyboard is the musical act of worship by the Adult Choir this Sunday. Return to the top of the page November 21, 2007    C: Thanksgiving Eve Prelude "Glory to God, We Give You Thanks" (arr. J. Wayne Kerr) LB Introit "I Was Glad" (John Read) AC Anthem "All Good Gifts" (Stephen Schwartz, arr. Richard Walters) AC Offertory "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow" (OLD HUNDREDTH) HMR Response "Save Us, O Lord" (Harold W. Friedell) AC Postlude "Toccata for Harvest" (Martin Setchell) LB Return to the top of the page November 25, 2007    C: Reign of Christ Prelude "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" (arr. Benjamin Culli) LB Introit "This Is the Day" (James Rivers) AC Anthem "Ride On, King Jesus" (arr. Howard Helvey) AC Offertory (815) "Nun bitten wir (We Now Implore Thee)" (Dietrich Buxtehude) LB       (930 & 1100) Response "Twofold Amen" (Dresden) AC Postlude "Allegro in G Major" (G.F. Handel) LB   Notes: How does one say that God is in control no matter how dire the current circumstances? In a pre-scientific society when Christians were being persecuted, one could say that God’s anointed One lives and reigns high above all the ‘down and dirty’ of human events. How does one say that Christ rules the universe? In an age when Christianity had just become legal, and the state-sponsored religion, one could say that he was surrounded with more pomp and circumstance that even the emperor of the great Roman Empire. This Sunday the choirs sing of God and God’s anointed One reigning and ready to vindicate the suffering of this world. Return to the top of the page December 2, 2007    C: Advent 1 Prelude "My Lord, What a Morning" (arr. Richard Billingham) LB Introit "Siyahamba" (arr. Robert J. Ward) JR & GNS Anthem "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" (Michael Praetorius) AC Offertory (815) "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" (arr. John Ferguson) LB       (930 & 1100) "Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming" (Michael Praetorius) AC Response "Threefold Amen" (Traditional) AC Postlude "Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers" (arr. Paul Manz) LB   Notes: It is only in the context of hope that we confess our sins; it is only in the knowledge of God’s forgiveness that we acknowledge the wrong we have done. The Rose in bloom whom we celebrate at Advent is the hope of the world and God’s forgiveness in the flesh in whom we are able to become right with God and each other again. The Adult Choir sings of that Rose this morning. Return to the top of the page December 9, 2007    C: Advent 2 Prelude "Savior of the Nations, Come" (arr. Helmut Walcha) LB Introit (930) "Prepare the Way of the Lord" (Jacques Berthier) AC       (1100) "Light of the World" (Michael Bedford) CaC Anthem "O Day of Peace, That Dimly Shines" (arr. Richard Proulx) AC Offertory (815) "Wild and Lone the Prophet's Voice" (David Ashley White) JN       (930 & 1100) "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" (arr. Flor Peeters) LB Response "Amen" (Louis Bourgeois) AC Postlude "Alleluia on 'HELMSLEY'" (Karl Osterland) LB   Notes: Isaiah’s vision of the Day of the Lord is not one of judgment and Armageddon, but of creation at peace—with lions and lambs feeding together (and not on each other)—with children and vipers no longer enemies. His picture is of the world as it once was (paradise), and as it can be if we but learn to live as God intended (second coming of Christ). That traditional Advent image is captured by American Carl Daw, Jr., and set to a tune by Englishman C. Hubert H. Parry that the Adult Choir sings this morning. Return to the top of the page December 16, 2007    C: Advent 3 Prelude "Comfort, Comfort, Now My People" (arr. Gerald Near) LB Introit (930 & 1100) "This,This is Christ the King" (GREENSLEEVES) AC Offertory "Advent Song" (Nancy Telfer) AC Anthem "THE BEAUTY OF CHRIST" AC      Beautiful Savior (arr. F. Melius Christiansen)      Magnificat & Et Exsultavit from Magnificat (Andrew Carter)      Rosa Mystica (Sharon Elery Rogers)      What Is This Lovely Fragrance (arr. Joseph Flummerfelt)      His Yoke Is Easy (G.F. Handel) Response "Sevenfold Amen" (John Stainer) AC Postlude "Fling Wide the Door" (arr. Robert Buckley Farlee) LB VISIONS AND VOICES There is no Rose of such virtue as is the Rose that bare Jesu. Alleluia. Visions and voices! In the modern world, we look upon those who see visions and hear voices with great skepticism. We view the ‘real world’ as those things we can taste, touch and smell, and measure and count. It is hard in a society that places so much trust in the scientific method to pay attention to the “voice that writes our dreams.” Visions and voices! Yet we have the testimony of Pope John Paul II that he had visions while in prayer. The recent publication of Mother Theresa’s letters shows that she had a vision of herself standing at the foot of the cross having a conversation with Jesus as he was dying, a conversation in which she received instructions to leave the cloistered convent and begin her work among the destitute in Calcutta. Visions and voices! The tradition of this sort of mystical experience of Christian faith is long and strong. Monks in the ancient desert and medieval nuns had such events in their lives, and ordinary people, too, like Joan of Arc. The biblical record is full of such occurrences: an angel told Mary of her mission, and sent the Magi home by a different route; Jesus heard a voice at his baptism; his disciples saw Moses and Elijah at the Transfiguration; Paul saw the resurrected Christ at his conversion; and many others. In the mystical tradition, Jesus has often been described as beautiful. This is the image of Isaiah who said, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation,...” (52:7) THE BEAUTY OF CHRIST is a collection of musical and poetic expressions of this idea. It begins with the grand sweep of the familiar tune ST. ELIZABETH (“Fairest Lord Jesus”). The arrangement by the pioneer of great choral music in America about a century ago, F. Melius Christiansen, sweeps us up, as it were, into another universe—beyond normal. Once there, the music of Andrew Carter, formerly of York Minster, has the supreme lyricism to make the initial response of Mary to the angel seem to levitate. Michigan native (now a Floridian), Sharon Elery Rogers, chose to set a late-medieval, macaronic text; that is, most of it is in English, but a few phrases are in Latin. Just as stained glass was intended to teach scripture, so these texts were meant to teach doctrine since Latin was the official language of the church. Her setting is also lyrical in order to portray the idea that the sweet Rose of such great virtue will demonstrate the mysterious truth of the Trinity. The exquisite French carol, “What Is This Lovely Fragrance” compares the mystery of the birth of Christ to a gentle, springtime fragrance. Our arrangement is by New York composer-conductor, Joseph Flummerfelt. This presentation of the mystery concludes with the familiar chorus from Messiah, “His Yoke Is Easy.” The beauty of Christ is found in the lightness of his yoke, as compared with the emptiness of all other yokes and slaveries. Three poets share their images of the mystery of the Incarnation in this presentation. Susan Cherwien is a very popular Lutheran hymn writer from Minneapolis. Her book of meditations, Crossings, is widely used for devotions and hymn festivals. John Core is one of the principal librarians at West Virginia University, and a Presbyterian lay person. For fifty years, Herbert Brokering has been writing hymn texts and other poems as part of his pastoral ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Return to the top of the page December 23, 2007    C: Advent 4 Prelude (815) "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly" (arr. Teresa Wilhelmi) LB      (930 & 1100) "Three Songs for the Christ Child" (Lani Smith) LB & GB Introit "He Came Among Us at Christmastime" (JOSEPH LIEBER, JOSEPH MEIN) AC Anthem "A Virgin Unspotted" (William Billings) AC Offertory (815) "Carol of the Epiphany" (John Bell) JN       (930 & 1100) "Riu Riu Chiu" (arr. Eric Rothe) CR Response "Fourfold Amen" (Ken Barker) AC Postlude "Wachet Auf (Sleepers Awake)" () LB & GB   Notes: The colonial American composer, William Billings, was a tanner by trade who started music schools in his native Boston and throughout New England teaching the ‘science’ of singing. Singing was the favorite pastime in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, so there was a good market for his service. His style was rugged, his harmonies primitive, and his music was extremely popular, in part because he pleased the church by composing religious music. His fame was equally secure because he wrote music that expressed the spirit of freedom that was brewing in Boston. His most famous patriotic tune was Chester. The Adult Choir sings one of his Christmas anthems today. Return to the top of the page December 24, 2007    C: Christmas Eve 500pm Service Prelude "Sing We Now of Christmas" (arr. Richard Hudson) LB Introit "Light of the World" (Light of the World) CaC Anthem "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" (VENI EMMANUEL) CC Offertory "Christmas Medley" (arr. Michael Ryan) HMR CHRISTMAS MUSICAL "Light of the World" (Mark Patterson) Childrens Choirs Postlude "He Is Born" (arr. Richard Hudson) LB Return to the top of the page December 24, 2007    C: Christmas Eve 700pm Service Prelude "What Child Is This" (GREENSLEEVES) LB Introit "Jesus Child We Greet You" (Traditional Lithuanian) SpS Anthems "Go Tell It on the Mountain" (arr. Susan Geschke) AR      "Let Us Join the Angel's Song" (Traditional Lithuanian) SpS      "Before the Paling of the Stars" (arr. John Boda) SpS      "Manger Throne" (Mac Powell, Third Day) Youth Praise Band Offertory "Noel, Noel" (arr. Linda Spevacek) SpS Return to the top of the page December 24, 2007    C: Christmas Eve 900pm & 1100pm Services Prelude "Cradle Song" (arr. David Williams) LB Introit "This, This Is Christ the King" (GREENSLEEVES) AC Anthem "Love Came Down at Christmas" (Howard Helvey) AC Offertory "Sussex Carol" (arr. William Miller) AC & JR Communion Music "He Is Born the Child Divine" (arr. Barbara Kinyon) JR      "Still, Still, Still" (Chip Davis, arr. Wendi Hatton) I Postlude "Noel Suisse" (Louis Claude D'Aquin) LB Return to the top of the page December 30, 2007    C: Christmas 1 Prelude "Sing We Now of Christmas" (arr. Teresa Wilhelmi) LB Introit "O Come, Let Us Adore Him" (ADESTE FIDELES) AC Anthem "Sweet Was the Virgin's Song" (Mark Sedio) AC Offertory (815) "Rise Up, Shepherds, and Follow" (Traditional Spiritual) JN       (930 & 1100) "Wexford Carol" (arr. Carolyn McMaster) I Response "Gloria in Excelsis" (GLORIA) AC Postlude "He Is Born" (arr. Richard Hudson) LB   Return to the top of the page