Music Notes - Thomas Sunday April 11, 2010
Emmanuel Church, Newport, RI
First Sunday of Easter – April 11, 2010
Year C - RCL
8:45 – Choir Call to vest & rehearse at 9
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10 A.M. Eucharist
Entrance Hymn 191 Alleluia, alleluia! Hearts and voices Lux eoi
Psalm 118: 14-29 S-421 Frederick A.G. Ouseley Choir
Sequence Hymn 209 We walk by faith and not by sight St. Botolph
Baptism Procession Hymn 296 We know that Christ is raised
Baptism Response You have put on Christ Choir Howard Hughes
Anthem O Sons and Daughters O filii et filiae, chant arr. John Ferguson
Presentation Hymn 192 This joyful Eastertide Vreuchten
Sanctus S-128 Setting William Mathias
Lords Prayer – Sung by Choir & All as you feel comfortable
Fraction Anthem WLP 866 Alleluia, Christ our Passover Owen Burdick
Behold the Lamb of God Paul Bouman, Choristers
Communion Anthem Ave Verum W. A. Mozart
Hymn 324 Let all mortal flesh keep silence Picardy
Dismissal Hymn 182 Christ is alive! Truro
Music Notes: Sunday, the Second of Easter, is also known as ‘Thomas Sunday.’ The intriguing story of Thomas’ awe filled revelation and then, embarrassing confession before the Lord and his fellow disciples must have been a mountain top experience for them all. Our anthem, O filii et filiae uses a 17th century tune arranged by St. Olaf University Chapel music director, John Ferguson and unfolds the narrative in verse. John Allen Ferguson (b. January 27, 1941, is an American organist, teacher and composer best known for his choral compositions as well as alternate accompaniments and festival arrangements for organ, brass and percussion of hymns and Lutheran liturgy. He attended Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, Kent State and Eastman School of Music and is a well-respected teacher and leader of congregational singing via the organ which makes him frequently is invited to design and lead such events, both in local congregations and at gatherings of organists, choral conductors and church musicians. His festivals are ecumenical experiences drawing upon the treasures of Christian song from many centuries, traditions, and styles. He is presently professor of organ and church music at St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota and conductor of the St. Olaf Cantorei. See more on Wikipedia at:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ferguson_%28organist%29. Thank you to our guest string ensemble today, La Bella Musica and our bell ringers Abby, Joanna and Sara.
Lastly, I find the following Easter homily from 1600 years ago most inspiring.
The Easter Sermon of John Chrysostom -Patriarch of Constantinople (400 AD)
Is there anyone who is a devout lover of God?
Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!
Is there anyone who is a grateful servant?
Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!
Are there any weary with fasting?
Let them now receive their wages!
If any have toiled from the first hour,
let them receive their due reward;
If any have come after the third hour,
let him with gratitude join in the Feast!
And he that arrived after the sixth hour,
let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss.
And if any delayed until the ninth hour,
let him not hesitate; but let him come too.
And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour,
let him not be afraid by reason of his delay.
For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.
He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour,
as well as to him that toiled from the first.
To this one He gives, and upon another He bestows.
He accepts the works as He greets the endeavor.
The deed He honors and the intention He commends.
Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!
First and last alike receive your reward;
rich and poor, rejoice together!
Sober and slothful, celebrate the day!
You that have kept the fast, and you that have not,
rejoice today for the Table is richly laden!
Feast royally on it, the calf is a fatted one.
Let no one go away hungry. Partake, all, of the cup of faith.
Enjoy all the riches of His goodness!
Let no one grieve at his poverty,
for the universal kingdom has been revealed.
Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again;
for forgiveness has risen from the grave.
Let no one fear death, for the Death of our Savior has set us free.
He has destroyed it by enduring it.
He destroyed Hades when He descended into it.
He put it into an uproar even as it tasted of His flesh.
Isaiah foretold this when he said,
"You, O Hell, have been troubled by encountering Him below."
Hell was in an uproar because it was done away with.
It was in an uproar because it is mocked.
It was in an uproar, for it is destroyed.
It is in an uproar, for it is annihilated.
It is in an uproar, for it is now made captive.
Hell took a body, and discovered God.
It took earth, and encountered Heaven.
It took what it saw, and was overcome by what it did not see.
O death, where is thy sting?
O Hades, where is thy victory?
Christ is Risen, and you, o death, are annihilated!
Christ is Risen, and the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is Risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is Risen, and life is liberated!
Christ is Risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead;
for Christ having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be Glory and Power forever and ever. Amen!
The Chorister Prayer
Bless, O Lord, us your servants who minister in your temple;
Grant that what we sing with our lips we may believe in our hearts,
And what we believe in our hearts we may show forth in our lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Peace and see you at worship – AJH
