Sunday, May 1st, 2016
Rite I, 6th Sunday of Easter
Prelude: Prière, by: Camille Saint-Saëns
Processional Hymn: 483 The head that once was crowned with thorns
Gloria: S204, Scottish Chant
First Reading: Acts 16:9-15
Psalm: Psalm 67, Peter Hallock Setting
1 May God be merciful to us and bless us, *
show us the light of his countenance and come to us.
2 Let your ways be known upon earth, *
your saving health among all nations.
4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, *
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide all the nations upon earth.
6 The earth has brought forth her increase; *
may God, our own God, give us his blessing.
7 May God give us his blessing, *
and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of him.
Second Reading: Revelation 21: 10, 22-22:5
Before the Gospel: Alleluia 7
Verse: “Whoever loves me will keep my word and my Father will love him and we will come to him.” John 14:23
Gospel: John 14:23-29 or John 5:1-9
After the Gospel: Alleluia 7
Offertory Anthem: Let the Peoples Praise You, O God, by: Bruce Neswick
Choir: Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
May God be merciful to us and bless us,
show us the light of his countenance and come to us.
Let your ways be known upon earth,
your saving health among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, *
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide all the nations upon earth.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
The earth has brought forth her increase; *
may God, our own God, give us his blessing.
May God give us his blessing, *
and may all the ends of the earth stand in awe of him.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you.
Doxology: Hymn 380, stanza 3
Holy: S114, Willan
Lord’s Prayer: S119, Plainsong
Communion Anthem: The Earth Adorned, by: Waldemar Åhlén
Choir: The earth adorned in verdant robe
sends praises upward surging,
while soft winds breathe on fragrant flowers
from winter now emerging.
The sunshine bright gives warmth and light
to budding blossoms tender,
proclaiming summer splendor.
From out the wood, the birds now sing
and each its song now raises,
to join with all the universe
in voicing thankful praises.
With hope and joy their songs employ
a rapturous exultation
in praise of God’s creation.
O God, amid these joys of life,
creation’s glory beaming,
grant us the grace to keep your word
and live in love redeeming.
All flesh is grass, the flowers fade,
and time is fleeting ever;
God’s word remains forever.
Communion Meditation: Cantabile in F Major, by: A. Guilmant
Communion Hymn: 204 Now the Green Blade Riseth from the buried grain, with Handbells
Recessional Hymn: 205 Good Christians all, rejoice and sing!
Postlude: Good Christians all, rejoice and sing!, arranged by: Healey Willan
Music Notes
By: Ashley Sosis
Happy Summer! We all know that the first day of Summer is Monday, June 20th, but a beach community feels the summer season long before and after its calendar dates. So May 1st felt like a great time to include the anthem, “The Earth Adorned”, by Swedish composer Waldemar Åhlén in today’s service. The piece is subtitled, Psalm of Summer.
“The sunshine bright gives warmth and light
to budding blossoms tender,
proclaiming summer splendor.”
An issue that many “nature/creation” hymn texts have is that they are focused on the Creation but not the Creator. The way that Åhlén finishes his poem links it to today’s Gospel reading, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” (John 14:23)
“O God, amid these joys of life,
creation’s glory beaming,
grant us the grace to keep your word
and live in love redeeming.
All flesh is grass, the flowers fade,
and time is fleeting ever;
God’s word remains forever.”
So whether we are enjoying a verdant summer landscape or trapped in summer traffic, we are covered in the sunshine of God’s eternal word!