March 26, 2017 + The Fourth Sunday in Lent

Holy Eucharist Rite II at 10:30 a.m. sung by the Youth and Adult Choirs, sermon by the Rev’d Hope Eakins.

Worship at Home:

Click here for the Service Bulletin; scroll to read full sermon text.

Full Service Audio:

Sermon-only Audio:

Service Music:

Voluntary    Passacaglia: the prodigal son    James Biery (b. 1956)

A passacaglia is a musical work in which a single line of music is repeated over and over, usually in the bass, and continuous thematic development happens in the upper parts – much like the famous Pachelbel Canon. James Biery’s Passacaglia takes the listener through all of the emotions of the Prodigal Son story – questioning, loss, pain, quiet resolution, gently quoting the hymn-tune St. Columba at its conclusion.

Kyrie eleison S-84    Gregorian Chant, Orbis factor

Psalm 23    Iona Chant, sung by the choir    arr. John Bell (b. 1949)
Soloist: Julia Foust, soprano

Sequence Hymn 645    The king of love my shepherd is    St. Columba

Offertory Anthem    Pilgrims’ Hymn    Stephen Paulus (1949-2014)
Words: Michael Dennis Brown

Even before we call on Your name
To ask You, O God,
When we seek for the words to glorify You,
You hear our prayer;
Unceasing love, O unceasing love,
Surpassing all we know.
Glory to the father,
and to the Son,
And to the Holy Spirit.
Even with darkness sealing us in,
We breathe Your name,
And through all the days that follow so fast,
We trust in You;
Endless Your grace, O endless Your grace,
Beyond all mortal dream.
Both now and forever,
And unto ages and ages,
Amen.

This work is from an opera titled The Three Hermits and is powerful in its subtlety. Paulus uses straightforward harmonic progressions and melodic writing in such a deft way as to point the listener not to the notes and rhythms but to the intent and message of the piece. This is one of the most stunningly effective (and affective) pieces in the choral repertoire. (Notes courtesy Randall Z. Stroope)

Sanctus     Gregorian Chant, Deus Genitor alme

Agnus Dei     Gregorian Chant, Deus Genitor alme

Communion Motet    Ave verum corpus    Edward Elgar (1857-1934)

Ave, verum corpus natum de Maria Virgine, vere passum immolatum in Cruce pro homine,
Cujus latus perforatum unda fluxit sanguine, esto nobis praegustatum in mortis examine.

Hail, true body born of the Virgin Mary, who truly suffered, sacrificed on the Cross for man,
Whose pierced side overflowed with blood, Be for us a foretaste in the test of death.

Hymn in Procession    It is well with my soul    Ville du Havre

Voluntary    Chaconne    Louis Couperin (1626-1661)

Full Sermon Text:

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