Prepare for worship in a quiet space as the serene "Largo" by Mark Thewes sounds from the organ. The Summer Choir offers the popular Marantha! Music praise song "Seek Ye First" in an arrangement by Douglas Wagner. Feel free to join us for this second "pick-up choir" opportunity of the summer! Rehearsal begins at 9:15 a.m. Finally, our worship time together concludes with the jubilant and relentlessly hopeful "Festal Voluntary" by 20th century Belgian organist Flor Peeters.
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Selections from the American songbook will be offered at this holiday weekend outdoor service. Plaintive tunes from the rich American heritage of folk and gospel music and robust hymnody remind us of the hardy and hopeful spirit of this nation and of God's people everywhere. Vocalist Lucas Jackson and bassist Con Woodall join us on the patio. Rev. Kimberly Salico-Diehl also teaches us her original service music theme to accompany July's book series study, As Long As You Need: Permission to Grieve.
See you out on the green! The spirit of improvisation and harmonic innovation inform the musical selections in this Sunday morning's jazz-inspired service. Folk and hymn tunes from around the globe are treated to a colorful re-imagining by flutist Aaron McGrew, guitarist Alan Skowron and bassist Peter Strening. The timeless Baroque lute piece "Bourée," the fifth movement from J.S. Bach's "Suite in E Minor, BWV 996" is also offered with generous inspiration from the rock band Jethro Tull.
On this Pride Sunday morning, musical selections by composers from the LGBTQ community will be offered. At the Prelude, a "Soliloquy" from Cleveland native David Conte welcomes you to worship. The Summer Choir sings of the need for more love and less hate by prolific composer Mark Miller. At the Postlude, a joyful "Fanfare" sends you out into the world by notable American composer and writer Ned Rorem.
Vocalist Lucas Jackson joins us for a rendition of "I Need You to Survive" composed by David Frazier and made popular in a recording by Hezekiah Walker. The African-American tune "McKee" is given a jazz makeover paired with the inclusive text "In Christ There Is No East or West." From the organ comes a lively setting of the spiritual "Every Time I Feel the Spirit" by Richard Elliott, principal organist for the Tabernacle Choir in Temple Square.
Music from the American and British songbooks will be shared at the outdoor service this Sunday. Vocalist Lucas Jackson, guitarist/vocalist Bill DeMarco, bassist Peter Strening and violinist Harmony Tucker join us for a service out on the green. Hope to see you there!
Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob! Raise a song, sound the timbrel, the sweet lyre with the harp. Psalm 81.1-2 From the Baroque era, two settings of hymns of praise will be offered: the Genevan Psalter tune "Old Hundredth" by Johann Pachelbel and the 17th century German tune "Lobe den Herren" by Johann Walther. During communion, flutist Aaron McGrew presents "Echoes of Joy," a delightful composition by German organ virtuoso Hans-André Stamm.
Like the murmur of the dove’s song, like the challenge of her flight,
like the vigor of the wind’s rush, like the new flame’s eager might: come, Holy Spirit, come. - verse 1 of the hymn "Like the Murmur of the Dove's Song" by Carl Daw On this Pentecost Sunday, we enjoy the offerings from all of our musical ensembles as we conclude a robust season of music-making before the summer recess. As the congregation gathers for worship, the Plymouth Ringers invoke the Spirit in the Pentecost hymn "Come Down, O Love Divine." The tune "Down Ampney", composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams, is reimagined in a lush gentle setting by Michael Ryan. Kids Will Sing! offer the African-American spiritual "This Little Light of Mine" featuring soloists Charlotte & Lillian McGrew, Annabele & Clara Siegel and Solvei Prows with accompanist Jennifer Jolly. Thank you to Liz McGrew for leading this ensemble in its first year of gracing our worship services and to all who have participated! The Chancel Choir sings of God's unseen loving presence in "Come, Gracious Spirit" by Alfred Fedak. The 18th century Pentecost text by Simon Browne is set to the lilting melody of the traditional English tune "Danby" creating a flowing and serene anthem to the Spirit. The organ speaks a final invocation to the Holy Spirit in "Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist" (Come, God Creator, Holy Ghost) in a setting by Johann Sebastian Bach from the Great Eighteen Chorale Preludes (BWV 667.) The source hymn for Bach's work was composed by Martin Luther, who was inspired by the ancient Latin chant "Veni Creator Spiritus." This exuberant chorale prelude embodies the flowing winds of the Holy Spirit with the triple meter symbolizing its role in the Trinity. 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. |
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