October 2, 2016 + The Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

Holy Eucharist Rite II at 10:30 a.m. sung by the Adult Choir, sermon by the Rev’d Susan Pinkerton.

Worship at Home:

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

Full Service Audio:

Sermon-only Audio:

Service Music:

Voluntary   Prelude in D Major, BWV 532   Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Prelude   Johann K. F. Fischer (1665-1746)

Bach biographer Philipp Spitta (1841-1894) considered the Prelude and Fugue D Major, BWV 532 to be “one of the most dazzlingly beautiful of all the master’s organ works.” Composed in Weimar during Bach’s early years, the work is notable for its charm, drama, and virtuosity of the pedal line. Obviously wanting to demonstrate his skill at the organ, Bach shows his youth in this fugue in other ways as well (the closing Voluntary today) – the relentless repetition inherent in the main theme is reminiscent of a child pulling on a parent’s shirttail, trying to go home!

Processional Hymn 541    Come, labor on    Ora Labora

Gloria in excelsis S278     William Mathias (1934-1992)

Sequence Hymn 660    O Master, let me walk with thee    Maryton

Offertory Anthem    O Lord, increase my faith    Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625)

Sanctus S128    William Mathias

Fraction Anthem S166   Agnus Dei     Gerald Near (b. 1942)

Communion Anthem    Draw us in the Spirit’s tether    Harold W. Friedell (1905-1958)

The hymn-tune ‘Union Seminary’, named after the institution in New York City, was written by Harold W. Friedell when he was organist of Calvary Church in New York and then set as an anthem after he became organist of St. Bartholomew’s Church on Park Avenue. The matched Percy Dearmer text ‘Draw us in the Spirit’s tether’ is a powerful message of our common gathering as disciples, offering our lives as sacrifice to God.

Closing Hymn    Great is thy faithfulness    Faithfulness

Voluntary  Fugue in D Major, BWV 532   Johann Sebastian Bach

Full Sermon Text:

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