Sunday, March 22nd, 2015

Rite I, Fifth Sunday in Lent

Themes from the Readings: Create in me a clean heart, O God; Self-sacrifice and obedience to God

Prelude: Prelude by: Samuel Wesley

Processional Hymn: 699 Jesus, Lover of my soul

Trisagion, S103, Archangelsky

First Reading: Habakkuk 3:16-19

Psalm: Psalm 51:1-13

Second Reading: Hebrews 5:5-10

Before the Gospel: 635 If thou but trust in God to guide thee, Stanza 1

Gospel: John 12:20-33

After the Gospel: 635 If thou but trust in God to guide thee, Stanza 2

Offertory Anthem: Go Not Far from Me, O God, by: Nicola Zingarelli

Go not far from me, O God;

Cast me not away in the time of age,

Forsake me not when my strength faileth me.

O let my mouth be filled with Thy praise,

That I may sing Thy glory and honor all the day long.

-Psalm 71: 7-8, 10

Doxology: Hymn 380, stanza 3

Holy: S114, Willan

Lamb of God: S158, Willan

Communion Anthem: Create in me a clean heart, O God, by: Carl E. Mueller

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

-Psalm 51:10-13

Communion Meditation: Slow Air for the Organ, by: S. Wesley

Communion Hymn: 641 Lord Jesus, Think on Me

Recessional Hymn: 474 When I survey the wondrous cross

Postlude: Air, by: Samuel Wesley

Music Notes

By: Ashley Sosis

Is there such a thing as Lenten joy? Last week, the 4^th Sunday in Lent, can be celebrated as “Laetare Sunday”. Likewise, “Gaudete Sunday” may be observed during Advent. These Sundays (with Latin names both meaning “rejoice”) may be seen as a pausing in the middle of two liturgical seasons where we are called to repentance, patience, humility and self-sacrifice. You may argue however, that there is joy in repentance, patience, humility, and self-sacrifice and no “change of mood” is required.

I do have a musical point here. Our two anthems today, “Create in me a clean heart, O God” and “Go not far from me, O Lord” begin with slow, thoughtful adagio sections that contrast with brilliant and joyful allegro sections. Perhaps you may think of them as two different, but simultaneous and equally important responses to salvation-- looking inward to deepen and purify our faith, but at the same time looking outward to share the happiness and freedom that comes from faith. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then I will teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” (Psalm 51: 10-13)