Category : Liturgy, Music, Worship

King’s College Cambridge 2011 O Sacred head Sore Wounded JS Bach

Listen to it all.

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, Church Year / Liturgical Seasons, Holy Week, Liturgy, Music, Worship

Johnny Cash & The Carter Family–Were you There When They Crucified my Lord? (1960)

Watch and listen to it all.

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, * Culture-Watch, * International News & Commentary, America/U.S.A., Church Year / Liturgical Seasons, History, Holy Week, Liturgy, Music, Worship

St Pauls Cathedral Choir: God So Loved The World (John Stainer)

Listen to it all.

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, Church Year / Liturgical Seasons, Holy Week, Liturgy, Music, Worship

(Patheos) Christian Piatt–Why So Many Christians Skip Holy Week

The only path to the hope of Easter is through the struggle of Holy Week. Like the assurance offered in the 23rd Psalm, we’re not given a shortcut around the Valley of the Shadow of Death.

The only way out is through.

Read it all.

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, * Culture-Watch, * International News & Commentary, * Religion News & Commentary, America/U.S.A., Christology, Church Year / Liturgical Seasons, Evangelicals, Holy Week, Liturgy, Music, Worship, Other Churches, Parish Ministry, Religion & Culture, Soteriology, Theology, Theology: Scripture

I heard the voice of Jesus say

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down
Thy head upon My breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary and worn and sad;
I found in Him a resting place,
And He has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one,
Stoop down, and drink, and live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank
Of that life giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
And now I live in Him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“I am this dark world’s Light;
Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise,
And all thy day be bright.”
I looked to Jesus, and I found
In Him my star, my sun;
And in that light of life I’ll walk,
Till traveling days are done.

I heard the voice of Jesus say – Horatius Bonar [Kingsfold – Vaughan Williams]

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, Liturgy, Music, Worship

The previous prayer in music by Whitacre Chilcott+sung by the King's Singers

This is just fantastic–listen to it all.

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, Church History, Liturgy, Music, Worship, Spirituality/Prayer

[John Bingham] Looking for Britain’s future leaders? Try evensong

..College chaplains have seen a steady but noticeable increase in attendances at the early evening services which combine contemplative music with the 16th Century language of the Book of Common Prayer.

It mirrors a similar trend reported by cathedrals across England for growing congregations at choral midweek services, which appears to challenge the view that the church is in irreversible decline.

Chaplains say the mix of music, silence and centuries-old language appears to have taken on a new appeal for a generation more used to instant and constant communications, often conducted in 140 characters rather than the phrases of Cranmer.

Neil McCleery, assistant chaplain of New College, one of Oxford’s oldest and grandest chapels, said it was now rare to see an attendance below 150 at a weekend evensong..

Read it all

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, --Book of Common Prayer, Liturgy, Music, Worship

Music for a Tuesday Morning– We rest on Thee by the Mennonite Hour Men's Chorus

Listen to it all.

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, Church History, Liturgy, Music, Worship, Missions

[Vaughan Roberts] The Place of Music and Singing in Church

From beginning to end, the Bible is full of music and song. The first musician, Jubal, makes his appearance as early as Genesis 4, where we are told that “he was the father of all who play the harp and flute” (v.21). As we turn the pages, we find many who follow in Jubal’s musical footsteps. Moses sang a song of praise after the Exodus; Deborah sang after the victory over Sisera; King David played the harp, and wrote many of the Psalms; the Lord Jesus sang a hymn with his disciples at the last supper; Paul and Silas sang a hymn of praise to God in jail; and the book of Revelation tells us that there is plenty of singing in heaven as the heavenly choir joins in praise to God.

The Bible makes it clear that we are not to wait until heaven; it contains frequent exhortations to us to sing. For example:

“Come let us sing for joy to the Lord” (Ps. 95:1)

“Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvellous things” (Ps. 98:1)

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19)

The question we are addressing in this chapter is, “Why?” Why does the Bible encourage us to sing and make music to the Lord? We will look at the answer shortly: we are to sing to praise God and to encourage one another. But first we will consider an answer that is often given today, but which has no basis in Scripture.

Read it all [h/t S Wood]

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, Liturgy, Music, Worship

A [London] Times profile of Whitechapel Bell Foundry, in continuous operation since 1570

It’s an improbable sight, but the Whitechapel Bell Foundry still stands on east London’s busy Whitechapel Road, an island in an area all but obliterated in the Second World War. Moreover, it is a business that has been fighting for survival for years, centuries even, and in a high-tech, ever more competitive world is still going strong. It’s no more than what you’d expect from a company that has been in continuous operation since 1570 and claims the title of Britain’s oldest manufacturer.

Alan Hughes’s family has run what is one of only two remaining bell foundries in the UK for four generations. “In its early years,” he says, “there was very little by way of continuity of ownership. The company changed hands frequently, usually staying with one family for just one generation.”

He can be forgiven for having little sympathy for businesses that have seen profits crumble because of something as recent as the arrival of the internet. His sector peaked in the 18th century, shrank and then levelled off again before sinking into steady decline for the past hundred or so years.

Read it all.

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, * Culture-Watch, * Economics, Politics, * International News & Commentary, Corporations/Corporate Life, Economy, England / UK, Ethics / Moral Theology, History, Labor/Labor Unions/Labor Market, Liturgy, Music, Worship, Parish Ministry, Religion & Culture, Theology

"A Way Forward" the full text of the WFWG report

Read it all.

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * Christian Life / Church Life, * Culture-Watch, * International News & Commentary, --Civil Unions & Partnerships, Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, Anglican Provinces, Anthropology, Australia / NZ, Ethics / Moral Theology, Liturgy, Music, Worship, Marriage & Family, Ministry of the Laity, Ministry of the Ordained, Parish Ministry, Pastoral Theology, Religion & Culture, Same-sex blessings, Sexuality, Sexuality Debate (in Anglican Communion), Theology, Theology: Scripture

(CT) Keith and Kristyn Getty's Global Sunday Singalong for Evangelism

Nearly 90 years ago, a missionary wrote a song meant to galvanize the Western church and draw hundreds of missionaries to China. This Sunday, more than 4,100 churches around the world will sing “Facing a Task Unfinished” with a modern twist.

In 1920, Frank Houghton traveled east with China Inland Mission. Nearly a decade later, the missions agency issued a call for 200 “men and women who know and love the Lord Jesus Christ” to minister to the country then torn apart by civil war.

Aided by Houghton’s song, the ministry got its 200 missionaries. And by 2015, the number of Christians in China grew to somewhere between 67 million and 106 million.

China Inland Mission became OMF International, which celebrated its 150th anniversary last year. As part of the commemoration, OMF asked Keith and Kristyn Getty to update the hymn.

Read it all.

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, * Culture-Watch, Church History, Globalization, Liturgy, Music, Worship, Missions, Music, Theology

Monday Night mental Health Break–Entreat Me not to Leave You by Dan Forrest

Listen to it all.

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, * Culture-Watch, History, Liturgy, Music, Worship, Music, Theology, Theology: Scripture

Howard Skempton: Ostende Nobis Domine


Alleluia. Show us thy mercy, O Lord and grant us thy salvation
Alleluia. Ostende nobis Domine misericordiam tuam et salutare tuum da nobis

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, Liturgy, Music, Worship

(Herald Sun) St Paul’s Cathedral In Melbourne to introduce first girls’ choir

A 125-year old male tradition will be turned on its head when girls are given their own choir at St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral.

In what’s been described as a win for gender equity, girls will eventually perform Sunday and Evensong services that until now have been the exclusive domain of boys and men.

Anglican Dean of Melbourne Dr Andreas Loewe said the city icon wanted to give girls the same opportunity that boys have enjoyed since 1888.

“If women can become archbishops in the Anglican Church of Australia then they should also be able to sing at St Paul’s Cathedral,” he said.

Read it all.

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * Christian Life / Church Life, * Culture-Watch, * International News & Commentary, Anglican Church of Australia, Anglican Provinces, Australia / NZ, Children, Liturgy, Music, Worship, Parish Ministry, Religion & Culture, Women

A Prayer for the Feast Day of Fanny Crosby

O God, the blessed assurance of all who trust in thee: We give thee thanks for thy servant Fanny Crosby, who, though blind from infancy, beheld thy glory with great clarity of vision and spent her life giving voice to thy people’s heartfelt praise; and we pray that we, inspired by her words and example, may rejoice to sing of thy love, praising our Savior all the day long; who livest and reignest with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God in perfect harmony, now and for ever. Amen

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, Church History, Liturgy, Music, Worship, Spirituality/Prayer

UK sees sudden surge in churchgoing after years of decline

As many as six in 10 British adults visited a church, chapel or religious meeting house in the last 12 months, according to a new survey. The survey results counter the more usual narrative of perpetual decline that has dominated surveys in recent years.

Although too soon to give certainty, the survey is one of the first to give affirmation that the more confident, outward-looking evangelistic strategies of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and Pope Francis in Rome could be yielding tangible results.

Adults in the North East of Engand were the most likely to visit a church or chapel, with 64 per cent saying they had done so. Those in Wales were the least likely, but even there nearly half, 45 per cent, had done so.

Read it all from, Ruth Gledhill at Christian Today.

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, * Culture-Watch, * International News & Commentary, England / UK, History, Liturgy, Music, Worship, Parish Ministry, Religion & Culture, Sociology

I know that my redeemer liveth


[h/t Peter Ould]

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, Liturgy, Music, Worship

Benedictus in C – Stanford


Source: Luke 1:68-79 [AV] Lyrics from the Book of Common Prayer of 1662]

68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, Liturgy, Music, Worship

For those in Lowcountry SC–Nigerian Bishop Jacob W. Kwashi at Christ/St Pauls this Sunday

This Sunday we welcome The Right Rev. Jacob W. Kwashi, Bishop of the Diocese of Zonkwa, Abuja Province, Kaduna State, Nigeria and brother to Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi, who has visited CSP on many occasions. He is also the uncle of Archdeacon Mark Mukan who visited CSP back in October.

You can find the Christ St. Pauls parish website here and directions there.

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * Christian Life / Church Life, * South Carolina, Adult Education, Anglican Provinces, Church of Nigeria, Liturgy, Music, Worship, Ministry of the Ordained, Parish Ministry, Preaching / Homiletics

PBS Religion+Ethics Newsweekly–Sweet Honey in the Rock+the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday

As the nation observes the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, correspondent Kim Lawton catches up with the Grammy-nominated a capella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock, which has been singing about racial inequality, social justice, and inspiring spiritual themes for more than 40 years. The women discuss the group’s music video tribute to King, “Give Love,” and the principles taught by King that are still important in race relations today. They also talk about the group’s new CD, “#LoveinEvolution,” which will be released on January 22nd.

Read it all.

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, * Culture-Watch, * International News & Commentary, America/U.S.A., History, Liturgy, Music, Worship, Music, Race/Race Relations, Religion & Culture, Theology

Sunday Worship on T19


Revelation 3:19-22

Sunday Worship live from St Helena’s Beaufort, SC
Listen live each Sunday here at 10:15 am Eastern time [3:15 pm London time]

From January 24th, 2016
+ Finding Hope in the Baptism of Jesus – Dr Kendall Harmon
+ When the Evil Day Comes – Bishop Jacob W. Kwashi at St Philip’s Charleston [Ephesians 6:10-20]
+ Something to Aim for – The Beauty of Total Commitment – Bishop Rennis Ponniah [Philippians 1:1-6]

From December 20th
+ Lessons and Carols from St Philip’s Church, Charleston – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
+ Called to Be The Body Together – Lewis Webber [1 Corinthians 12:1-11]
+ What has Bethlehem got to say to the Bataclan? – Vaughan Roberts [John 1:14]
+ Community of Love – Marc Boutan [John 1]
+ Choral Evensong from Chester Cathedral
+ Advent Devotional from Trinity School for Ministry
+ Advent Posts at Lent and Beyond

From December 13th
+ That we may without Shame or Fear Rejoice to Behold his Appearing – Dr Kendall Harmon
+ Bear Much Fruit – Vaughan Roberts at the Pear USA Assembly thanks to Kevin Kallsen
+ More of Vaughan Roberts’ talks

From December 6th
+ Stand On Your Guard – Bishop Raphael Samuel of Bolivia
+ On with the New – Vaughan Roberts [Colossians 3:12-4:1]
+ Church Planting: Fresh Expressions – Bishop Graham Cray at Trinity School for Ministry
+ Advent Carol Service from Trinity College, Cambridge
+ Choral Evensong with the mixed choir of Peterborough Cathedral

From September 27th
+ Choral Evensong from Portsmouth Cathedral
+ Jesus – our older brother – Dr Kendall Harmon [Hebrews 2:5-18]
+ Love each other – Vaughan Roberts [John 15:9-17]

From September 20th
+ Prayers Requested for South Carolina Supreme Court Hearing, September 23, 2015
+ Services, Talks and Resources for September 20th
+ Remain in me – Vaughan Roberts [John 15:1-8]
+ The Christian Life: Purity – Canon Terry Wong, the new Dean of St Andrew’s Cathedral, Singapore [Ephesians 5:1-21] [Frank content]
+ Faure’s Requiem recorded in 1967 in King’s College, Cambridge

Migration: World on the Move – Archbishop Mouneer Anis speaking at All Souls, Langham Place:
+ Talk 1 [Matthew 2:1-15]
+ Talk 2 [Deuteronomy 10:12-22]

Talks on Nehemiah ”“ Ajith Fernando
+ Passion for Our People [Nehemiah: 1:1-11]
+ Preparing for the Challenge [Nehemiah: 1:11b-2:18]
+ Responding to Opposition [Nehemiah 2:19-4:23]
+ Grappling with Inequality [Nehemiah 5:1-19]

From September 13th
+ Services, Talks and Resources for September 13th
+ Questions in the storm ”“ Simon Manchester [Mark 4:35-41]
+ Filled with the fullness of God – Bishop Rennis Ponniah [Ephesians 3:14-21]
+ Ruth: Lessons for Marriage, Love & Sex – 3 talks by Bishop Rennis Ponniah [Ruth 1-4]

From September 6th
+ Services, Talks and Resources for September 6th
+ What Is a Christian perspective on sin and Freedom? (Mark 7) – Dr Kendall Harmon
+ The Heart of the Matter (Mark 7:1-23) – Rev Matthew Rusch
+ Choral Evensong from St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, Northern Ireland during the Charles Wood Festival and Summer School

From August 30th
+ Services, Talks and Resources for August 30th
+ Called to Embrace God’s Perspective and Power (Eph 6) – Andrew O’Dell
+ Running the way of God’s commandments [Ephesians 5:15-20 and John 6:51-58] – Andrew Wingfield Digby
+ The Secrets of Long-Term Freshness: A Grace Colored Approach to Life and Ministry – Ajith Fernando

From August 23rd
+ Services, Talks and Resources for August 23rd
+ Finding Grace on Highway 174 – Alfred T. K. Zadig, Jr (Ephesians 4:25-5:2
and John 6:35, 41-51)
+ Praying the Psalms – Series of 5 talks from the Cathedral Church of St Luke and St Paul SC

From August 16th
+ Services, Talks and Resources for August 16th
+ Our national life matters to God [Isaiah 6:1-8] – Bishop Rennis Ponniah
+ Choral Evensong from Cheltenham College Chapel with the Eton Choral Course Choir

From August 9th
+ Services, Talks and Resources for August 9th
+ Paul and Silas at Philippi [Acts 16:6-34] ”“ Vaughan Roberts at Moore Theological College Chapel
+ Interview and Q&A with Vaughan Roberts
+ Choral Evensong from the Southern Cathedrals Festival

From August 2nd
+ Services, Talks and Resources for August 2nd
+ God feeds us [John 6:1-21] – Bishop Abraham Nhial
+ Talk and Q&A with Bishop Abraham
+ Choral Evensong from Hereford Cathedral

From July 26th
+ Services, Talks and Resources for July 26th
+ In the Fellowship of Elijah – Phil Ashey [1 Kings 17]
+ The father heart of God – Vaughan Roberts [Hosea 10:1-11:1]
+ Sunday Worship from the Keswick Convention
+ More talks from the Keswick Convention

From July 19th
+ Services, Talks and Resources for July 19th
+ Do we know the greatness of God? – Dr Kendall Harmon [Psalm 48]
+ A New Humanity – Bishop Rennis Ponniah [Ephesians 2:11-22]

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel : for he hath visited, and redeemed his people;
And hath raised up a mighty salvation for us : in the house of his servant David;
As he spoke by the mouth of his holy Prophets : which have been since the world began;
That we should be saved from our enemies : and from the hands of all that hate us;
To perform the mercy promised to our forefathers : and to remember his holy Covenant;
To perform the oath which he sware to our forefather Abraham : that he would give us;
That we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies : might serve him without fear;
In holiness and righteousness before him : all the days of our life.
And thou, Child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest : for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
To give knowledge of salvation unto his people : for the remission of their sins,
Through the tender mercy of our God : whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us;
To give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death : and to guide our feet into the way of peace. [Luke 1:68-79 the prophesy of Zacharias]

From July 12th
+ Services, Talks and Resources for July 12th
+ Choral Evensong with the combined choirs of King’s and St John’s Colleges, Cambridge
+ A marriage made in heaven ”“ Vaughan Roberts [Hosea 1:1-2:1 and Revelation 21:1-4]
+ Christian Worship ”“ Paul Perkin [Hebrews 12:14-29]


If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
For the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved. [Romans 10:9-10]

From July 5th
+ Services, Talks and Resources for July 5th
+ What does it Mean to Live Faithfully to Christ in our Time? – Dr Kendall Harmon
+ “Peace I leave with you” ”“ Vaughan Roberts [John 14:25-3]
+ Strengthened for Work ”“ William Taylor [Romans 1:1-17]

From June 28th
+ Services, Talks and Resources for June 28th
+ The Premier Lecture 2015 – Against the Flow – Professor John Lennox [Do you sometimes feel like you need to be encouraged in your faith, especially with the challenges you face in an increasingly secular culture?]
+ 2015 Trinity School for Ministry Graduation Commencement Address – Bishop Grant LeMarquand

From June 21st
+ Services, Talks and Resources for June 21st
+ Sunday’s Sermon from Emanuel AME Church in Charleston SC – Psalm 46 – Rev Norvel Goff
+ Do not be overcome by Evil, but Overcome Evil with Good [Mark 4] – Brian McGreevy today at St Philip’s Charleston
+ Jesus Who’ll Satisfy You – Vaughan Roberts [John 4:1-42]

From June 14th
+ Services, Talks and Resources for June 15th
+ Are We Ignorant of Satan’s Designs (Genesis 3:1-15) – Dr Kendall Harmon
+ Choral Evensong from Wells Cathedral

From June 7th
+ Sunday Services, Talks and Resources for June 7th
+ The Re-Evangelisation of Europe – Vaughan Roberts [Acts 16:11-34]
+ Church Planting in a Continent Experiencing Rapid Change – Martin Robinson
+ Choral Evensong from Truro Cathedral

From May 31st
+ Sunday Services, Talks and Resources for May 31st
+ Kendall Harmon’s Sermon for Pentecost 2015
+ When the Holy Spirit Comes – Bishop Rennis Ponniah [Acts 2]
+ The Most Important Question of All – Bishop Ken Clarke [Matthew 27]

From May 24th
+ Sunday Services, Talks and Resources for May 24th
+ The Nature of Christian Service ”“ Bishop Rennis Ponniah

From May 17th
+ Sunday Services, Talks and Resources for May 17th
+ A Bishop Mark Lawrence Sermon on the Ascension of Jesus
+ Sermons from St Helena’s Beaufort

From May 10th
+ Sunday Services, Talks and Resources for May 10th
+ Defending the Reconciling Gospel ”“ Bishop Michael Baughen [2 Corinthians 2:1 ”“ 6:18]
+ Do you have to lose your mind to become a Christian? ”“ William Taylor [Acts 26:24-32]
+ The Anglican Book of Common Prayer: What Relevance Does It Have to Today’s Contemporary Worship? John Yates II and John Yates III

From May 3rd
+ Sunday Services, Talks and Resources for May 3rd
+ The Uniqueness of Christ – Andrew Wingfield Digby [Acts 4:5-12 & John 10:11-18]
+ The Place of Unity – Dr Peter Walker
+ Choral Evensong from Exeter Cathedral
+ 3rd Sunday in Easter Confirmation Sermon at Christ St Paul’s – Bishop Mark Lawrence
+ My Lord and My God [John 20] – Archbishop Glenn Davies at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Singapore on April 13th

The previous post, Sunday on T19 is here

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, Liturgy, Music, Worship

Epiphany 2016


Folks are still taking about how beautiful the service was at Christ Saint Paul’s Yonges Island, SC, as we gathered for a special and moving feast of lights in the darkened sanctuary, then from the Christ Candle, brought light to the church, people, and world as we burned our Christmas greenery. Many thanks to those who helped make the festivities afterward fun with the Kings cake, Oysters, and Chili.

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * Christian Life / Church Life, * South Carolina, Church Year / Liturgical Seasons, Epiphany, Liturgy, Music, Worship, Spirituality/Prayer

Music for a Friday–"Blessing Offor – Heal Us" from the Wonderful Indelible Grace

Listen to it all and ponder well the words.

Heal us, Emmanuel, here we are
We long to feel Thy touch
Deep wounded souls to Thee we fly
O Savior hear our cry
1. Our faith is feeble, we confess
We faintly trust Thy word
But will You pity us the less?
Be that far from You Lord!

2. Remember him who once applied
With trembling for relief
“Lord, I believe,” with tears he cried
“O help my unbelief!”

3. She, too, who touched you in the press
And healing virtue stole
Was answered, “Daughter, go in peace
Thy faith has made thee whole.”

4. Like her, with hopes and fears we come
To touch You if we may
O send us not despairing home
Send none unhealed away

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, Christology, Liturgy, Music, Worship, Theology

Morning Worship Encouragement–Lord of Eternity – Fernando Ortega


Blessed is the man
Who walks in Your Favor
Who loves all Your Words
And hides them like Treasure
In the darkest place
Of his desperate Heart,
They are a LIGHT
A strong, sure Light.
Sometimes I call out Your Name
But I cannot find You.
I look for Your Face,
But You are not there.
By my sorrows, LORD,
Lift me to You,
Lift me up to Your Side.

Lord of Eternity,
Father of Mercy,
Look on my fainting Soul.
Keeper of all the stars,
Friend of the poorest Heart
Touch me and make me whole…

If YOU are my Defender,
Who is against me?
NO ONE can trouble or harm me
If YOU are my Strength.
All I ask, all I desire
Is to live in Your House ALL MY DAYS.

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, Liturgy, Music, Worship

Peter Ould on Wednesday Night's Evensong at the 2016 Primates Gathering

From here:

If Monday’s Evensong was the Spirit led Perfect Storm of Scripture and Tuesday’s was the despondent depths, tonight’s was the subdued but significant. With barely a minute to go there were the same number of Primates as yesterday and then suddenly Foley Beach joined them and sat down. The number of Primates in the Quire then doubled as in the remaining leaders processed in full choir robes, liberals and conservatives alike.
Clearly unity has been achieved for the moment and the Cathedral listened to Amos 3 teach us of punishment for sin and the saving of a remnant, and 1 Corinthians 2 speak of the power of proclaiming Christ crucified.
From conversation and prayer afterwards I discerned that the conservative Primates have neither caved in nor achieved their goals. I’m sure many will be frustrated by this, but we are not in the room and we do not know the dynamics at play.
Continue to pray for God to be glorified. There are two more days to go and tonight’s full house is clear evidence that our LORD is in the business of miracles. Pray also for the Archbishop of Canterbury and his wife (who is here supporting him) – the emotional and spiritual strain must be enormous.

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * Christian Life / Church Life, Anglican Primates, Liturgy, Music, Worship, Parish Ministry, Primates Gathering in Canterbury January 2016

Gabrieli: Suscipe [Receive] – Choir of King's College Cambridge


Receive, O Lord, all my liberty. Take my memory, my understanding, and my entire will. Whatsoever I have or possess Thou hast bestowed upon me; I give it all back to Thee and surrender it wholly to be governed by Thy Will. Give me love for Thee alone along with Thy grace, and I am rich enough and ask for nothing more.

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, Liturgy, Music, Worship

Peter Ould–Evensong tonight in Canterbury Cathedral in the midst of the Primates Gathering

From here:

So, it is two hours after Evensong in Canterbury Cathedral finished. Last night it was electric – the Holy Spirit preaching to the Church through the lectionary – Amos 1’s warning, 1 Corinthians 1 pleading for unity, practically all the Primates gathered. A real sense of God being present.
Tonight I sat in the Quire an hour before the service and just prayed for God to be glorified. Interspersed between my tongues I sang the hymn Holy, Holy, Holy which I realised afterward is to the tune Nicaea. Then the choir and Primates processed in. A third if not more of the Primates were missing and the atmosphere was totally different to Monday. Amos 2 moved from the warning of chapter 1 into judgement. Justin Welby spent large parts of the service knelt in prayer, almost oblivious to what was going on around him. I felt suddenly spiritually drained after the power of my hour of prayer. Afterwards a number of journalists wanted to ask me what I thought, but I needed a moment to myself. I was genuinely close to tears.
Clearly something is happening and it’s probably happening right now – we need to pray for the Primates and we need to pray for Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury. And don’t pray for what you want to happen, just pray for God to be glorified

.

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * Christian Life / Church Life, --Justin Welby, Anglican Primates, Anglican Provinces, Archbishop of Canterbury, Church of England (CoE), Ecclesiology, Ethics / Moral Theology, Liturgy, Music, Worship, Parish Ministry, Pastoral Theology, Primates Gathering in Canterbury January 2016, Theology

A Nashotah House Write up on Donald Parsons RIP for whom there will be a Sat. Requiem Mass

Via email:

Bishop Donald James Parsons, Thirteenth Dean and President and Professor of New Testament at Nashotah House Theological Seminary, died on January 4, 2016. He was born on March 28, 1922 in Philadelphia, PA. He attended Temple University before matriculating at Philadelphia Divinity School, where he earned a ThB, a ThM, and a ThD in New Testament. He was ordained as a deacon in 1946 in the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, and ordained as a priest later that same year in the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware. He served as Tutor of Greek and New Testament at Philadelphia Divinity School while also serving as Curate at Church of the Holy Trinity at Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia, PA. He subsequently served as Assistant Rector of Immanuel Episcopal Church in Wilmington, DE, and as Rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Smyrna, DE. In 1950 he moved to Wisconsin to begin serving at Nashotah House, where he was Professor New Testament and Ascetical Theology; his tenure as the Thirteenth Dean and President of Nashotah House ran from 1963 to 1973. He was elected as Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Quincy and was consecrated on September 8, 1973; he served as Bishop until his retirement in 1987, and thereafter continued to provide episcopal oversight for a number of congregations. He was the author of The Holy Eucharist Rite Two: a Devotional Commentary (1976) and A Lifetime Road to God (1977). In 1955 he married Mary Russell, who predeceased him; he is survived by his three children, Mary, Rebecca, and Brad.
A Requiem Mass for Bishop Parsons will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (343 Buena Vista Ave., Pekin, IL) on Saturday, January 9, 2016. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM and Holy Eucharist will be celebrated at 3:00 PM.

Nashotah House will celebrate the life and ministry of Bishop Parsons with a Requiem Mass in the Chapel of St. Mary the Virgin at 1:00 PM. on Thursday, January 14, 2016, followed by a Committal service at the Nashotah House cemetery. The Right Reverend Daniel H. Martins, Eleventh Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Springfield and Chair of the Board of Directors of Nashotah House, will preside; The Very Reverend Steven A. Peay, Twentieth Dean and President of Nashotah House, will celebrate; The Right Reverend Keith L. Ackerman, Bishop Vicar of the Diocese of Quincy of the Anglican Church in North America and Member of the Board of Directors of Nashotah House, will serve as preacher. A reception will immediiately follow in Breck Refectory, located in DeKoven Commons.

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * Christian Life / Church Life, Death / Burial / Funerals, Episcopal Church (TEC), Liturgy, Music, Worship, Parish Ministry, Seminary / Theological Education, TEC Bishops, Theology

(Atlantic) The 12 days of Christmas Songs

Interesting fodder for the season here.

Posted in * Christian Life / Church Life, * Culture-Watch, * International News & Commentary, America/U.S.A., Christmas, Christology, Church Year / Liturgical Seasons, Liturgy, Music, Worship, Religion & Culture, Theology