From the Interim Rector

Preparing for Worship
Sunday, February 19, 2012    

Last Sunday after the Epiphany    

Collect

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Readings     

2 Kings 2:1-12 / Psalm 50:1-6 / 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 / Mark 9:2-9  

Services

7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I  

9:00 a.m., Holy Eucharist Rite II  

11:15 a.m., Holy Eucharist Rite II    

Others Serving This Sunday

Music     
Hymns  

137, 129, LEVAS 75 (9:00), 461 (11:15), 618          

Click HERE for a link to an online index to the 1982 Hymnal that will allow you to read the texts and listen to the tunes for Sunday's hymns.

Organ   

Sunday is the Last Sunday after the Epiphany, which is the last day the word "alleluia" may be uttered until its return as the Great Alleluia at the Easter Vigil. Therefore, much of today's music includes this word of exuberance, which has its roots in Judaism. The Hebrew expression "hallelujah" is the merging of the two Hebrew words hellel (to praise) and yah (the Lord, Yahweh, Jehovah) to form the meaning "praise we the Lord." "Alleluia" is simply the Latin spelling of this word with the same meaning.

Hymn 618 is one of our most beloved hymns containing an alleluia refrain. The text was written for use with this tune in The Hymnal 1916. The popularity of the tune is attributed to Ralph Vaughan Williams, editor of the English Hymnal, though its origins date from around 1525. The Anthem also features the word "alleluia," which features irregular meters, plentiful parallel motion in the organ part. John Weaver, one of the America's finest concert organists, was Director of Music at Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City from 1970 to 2005. He was Head of the Organ Department at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia from 1972 to 2003, and also Chair of the Organ Department at The Juilliard School from 1987 to 2004. He currently lives in Vermont and continues to concertize and lead workshops and master classes around the world. Today is also the last Sunday we have to enjoy organ voluntaries until Easter.

The Opening Voluntary, Psalm 24 by Dutch composer Anthonie van Noordt is a set of three variations on a melody from the 16th century Genevan Psalter which is sung by Protestants in many countries around the world and especially in the Netherlands. Very little is known about the life of van Noordt. He is one of several musicians from an Amsterdam family of the 17th century, which included Daniel a harpsichord builder and Sybrandt Senior, a carilloneur. His brother Jacob was the successor of Sweelinck's son as Organist at the Oude Kerk in 1652. Musically speaking, Anthonie was the most important member of the van Noordt family. He was organist at the Nieuwezijds Kapel and later at the Nieuwe Kerk. He tested some new organs in Rotterdam and Amsterdam. In 1673 he had to stop because of bad health, but kept his salary. He died (unmarried) in 1675 and was buried in the Zuiderkerk. The Tabulatuurboeck van Psalmen en Fantasyen (1659) is his only preserved work. His fantasias are important and may be regarded as early contributions to the development of the monothematic fugue (like the fugues by Bach, whereas the earlier polyphonic works have more themes).

The Closing Voluntary, a Fugue by Hayo Boerema (b. 1972), present organist at the Laurenskerk in Rotterdam (which has the largest mechanical action organ in the Netherlands), is dedicated to his organ teacher Johan Lemckert, who was his predecessor at this same church. The style is very French and the harmonies are really spicy. In 2009 Boerema was awarded the silver medal of merit by the Société Académique d'Education et d'Encouragement 'Arts, Sciences, Lettres' in Paris for his contributions to French organ music. He is professor of improvisation at Codarts Conservatory in Rotterdam. He is also a friend and former teacher of Henk Linker. 

This is the Good Shepherd Prayer List. Each day at noon, the persons on this list are lifted up in prayer. On Sundays during the Prayers of the People, the Intercessor pauses while we pray aloud or silently for each of those on the prayer list, which is published in the bulletin. You are also invited to add these names to your personal prayer list.  

For The Election of a Bishop: Almighty God, giver of every good gift. Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop for this Diocese, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people, and equip us for our ministries, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.