Sunday, February 1st, 2015

Rite II, Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

Themes from the Readings: Obedience to the Lord, the Lord will raise up prophets, Jesus commands unclean spirits

Prelude: Trumpet Major, by: Christopher Tambling

Processional Hymn: 391 Before the Lord’s eternal throne

Gloria: S280, Powell

First Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-20

Psalm: Psalm 111

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Before the Gospel: 493 O for a thousand tongues to sing, Stanzas 1-3

Gospel: Mark 1:21-28

After the Gospel: 493 O for a thousand tongues to sing, Stanzas 4-6

Offertory Anthem: The Call, by: Ralph Vaughan Williams, arr. Douglas E. Wagner

“Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life:

such a way as gives us breath;

such a truth as ends all strife;

such a life as conquers death.

Come, my Light, my Feast, my Strength:

such a light as shows a feast;

such a feast as mends in length;

such a strength as makes his guest.

Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart:

such a joy as none can move;

such a love as none can part;

such a heart as joys in love. “

Doxology: Hymn 380, stanza 3

Holy: S125, Proulx

Communion Anthem: O Taste and See, by: Ralph Vaughan Williams

"O taste and see how gracious the Lord is; blessed is the man that trusteth in Him." -Psalm 34:8, KJV

Communion Meditation: “Prelude”, from Prelude, Fugue and Variation by: Cesar Franck

Communion Hymn: 321 My God, thy table now is spread

Recessional Hymn: 344 Lord, dismiss us with thy blessing

Postlude: Postlude on a Theme by Orlando Gibbons, by: Christopher Tambling

Music Notes

by: Ashley Sosis

The text of today’s offertory anthem, “The Call”, is by George Herbert (1593-1633), Anglican priest and poet. Let’s be honest—it is easy to read the text simply as carefully chosen, beautiful words. Unless you are familiar with George Herbert’s life and body of work, it may not be abundantly clear to whom the poem is addressed. To reinforce the meaning of this text as a prayer of invocation, read each adjective from the poem below paralleled with the “I am the…” statements of Jesus from the book of John. The next time you read this poem it will appear to you more like a prayer directly addressed to our Lord- our way, truth, life, light, feast, strength, joy, love, and heart. Come, Lord Jesus!

Stanza 1- “Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life…”

o “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

o “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25)

Stanza 2- “Come, my Light, my Feast, my Strength…”

o “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

o “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:36)

Stanza 3- “Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart…”

o “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:14-15)

o “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)