Psalms, Hymns, Spiritual Songs

Transcription

1 Spring Music Festival Psalms, Hymns, Spiritual Songs / Making God s Love Visible /

2 Spring Music Festival 2 nd Sunday in Lent March 16, :00 am Worship Welcome Welcome to all who are worshipping with us. Child care and worship education programs are available during this service. Consult an usher if you need an assistive hearing device or a largeprint bulletin. As we enter a holy space and time this morning, please silence your cell phones. Following worship, you are invited for a time of conversation and refreshments in Williams Hall. The opening voluntary is the call to silent meditation and preparation for worship. OPENING VOLUNTARY Prelude on Beneath the Cross of Jesus Robert Elmore * Call to worship one: cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness. Come into God s presence with singing! All: For the Lord is a gracious God, whose mercy is everlasing, and whose faithfulness endures to all generations. One: let us worship God. *Processional HYMN #214 O Come and Sing Unto the Lord irish Psalm 95 Call to Confession PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison) Have mercy on us, O God, according to your steadfast love. According to your abundant mercy, blot out our transgressions. You desire truth in the inward being; therefore, teach us wisdom in our secret hearts. Moment of Silence for examination of conscience and personal prayers of confession Create in us clean hearts, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. Restore to us the joy of your salvation, and sustain in us a willing spirit, that we may walk in the way of Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen. Assurance of Pardon one: Hear the good news! Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us.

3 All: Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. The old life has gone; a new life has begun. Know that you are forgiven, and be at peace. Amen. *Congregational Response hyfrydol Finish, then, thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be; let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee; changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place, till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise. (may be found as stanza 4 of hymn #376) CONCERNS OF THE PEOPLE Please sign and pass the Friendship Register. PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION first reading Psalm 95: 1-7 one: The Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. HYMNS Sing To The Lord arr. Robert Shaw-Alice Parker Sing to the Lord, ye heavenly hosts, and thou, O earth, adore, let Death and Hell throughout their coasts stand trembling at his power. His sounding chariot shakes the sky; he makes the clouds his throne; there all the stores of lightning lie, till vengeance darts them down. His nostrils breathe out fiery streams, and from his awful tongue a sovereign voice divides the flames, and thunder roars along. Think, O my soul, the dreadful day when this incensed God shall rend the sky and burn the sea, and fling his wrath abroad. Let all that dwell above the sky, and air, and earth, and seas conspire to lift thy glories high and speak thine endless praise. The whole creation join in one to bless the sacred name of him that sits upon the throne, and to adore the Lamb! Alleluia. Amen. Alleluia Randall Thompson Festival Te Deum We praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord. All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting. To thee all Angels cry aloud, the Heavens and all the Powers therein. To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth; Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of thy glory. The glorious company of the apostles praise thee. The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise thee. The noble army of martyrs praise thee. The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee, Benjamin Britten

4 the Father, of an infinite majesty, thine honorable, true, and only Son, also the Holy Ghost the Comforter. Thou art the King of glory, O Christ. Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man, thou didst not abhor the Virgin s womb. When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father. We believe that thou shalt come to be our judge. We therefore pray thee, help thy servants, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood. Make them to be numbered with thy saints, in glory everlasting. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin, O Lord, have mercy upon us; let thy mercy lighten upon us as our trust is in thee. O Lord, in thee have I trusted; let me never be confounded. second ReadING Psalm 13 one: The Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God. spiritual songs Nobody Knows Nobody knows duh trouble I see, nobody knows but Jesus; Nobody knows duh trouble I see, Glory, Hallelujah. arr. Robert Shaw-Alice Parker Sometimes I m up, sometimes I m down, oh, yes, Lord; Sometimes I m almos to the groun, oh, yes, Lord. Although you see me goin long so, oh, yes, Lord, I have my trials here below, oh, yes, Lord. My God is a Rock arr. Robert Shaw-Alice Parker My God is a rock in a weary land, Weary land, in a weary land, My God is a rock in a weary land, Shelter in a time of storm. Oh, Yes! I know he is a rock in a weary land, Weary land, in a weary land, I know he is a rock in a weary land, Shelter in a time of storm.

5 Stop and let me tell you bout chapter one, When the Lord God s work had just begun. Stop and let me tell you bout chapter two, When the Lord God written his Bible through. Stop and let me tell you bout chapter three, When the Lord God he died on Calvary. Stop and let me tell you bout chapter four, When the Lord God visited among the poor. Stop and let me tell you bout chapter five, When the Lord God brought the dead alive. Stop and let me tell you bout chapter six; He went to Jerusalem and healed the sick. Stop and let me tell you bout chapter seven, When he died and risen and went to heaven. Stop and let me tell you bout chapter eight; John seen him standing at the golden gate. Stop and let me tell you bout chapter nine; Lord God turned the water to wine. Stop and let me tell you bout chapter ten; John says he s coming in the world again. Sometimes I Feel arr. Robert Shaw-Alice Parker Sometimes I feel like a moanin dove, Wring my hands an cry; Sometimes I feel like a motherless chile, Wring my hands and cry. Sometimes I feel like I gotta no home, Wring my hands an cry; Sometimes I feel like a eagle in de air, Spread my wings and fly. Sometimes I feel like a moanin dove, Wring my hands an cry. *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ the only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. Apostles Creed (traditional)

6 *Congregational Response ellacombe You change my grief to joy-filled dance, my sorrows you destroy. In faithfulness you hear my cry and fill my life with joy. And so to you my heart shall sing, my voice your goodness raise. You are my God, forevermore, my life shall sing your praise. (may be found as stanza 4 of hymn #181) PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE AND THE LORD S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. GIVING OF OFFERINGS Offertory Ain a That Good News! William Dawson I got a crown up in-a the Kingdom, Ain -a that good news! I m goin to lay down this worl, goin -a shoulder up-uh my cross, goin -a take it hom-a to my Jesus, Ain -a that good news! I got a harp up in-a the Kingdom, Ain -a that good news! I got a robe up in-a the Kingdom, Ain -a that good news! I got a Saviour in-a the Kingdom, Ain -a that good news! *DOXOLOGY #592 old hundredth *PRAYER OF DEDICATION *CLOSING HYMN #486 When the Morning Stars Together weisse flaggen *CHARGE AND BENEDICTION BENEDICTION RESPONSE wondrous love CONCLUDING VOLUNTARY Hark, Ten Thousand Harps and Voices Robert Elmore *Those who are able, please stand. The Chancel Choir of Trinity Presbyterian Church Norman Mackenzie, Music Director and Conductor Katherine Murray, mezzo-soprano William Borland, baritone Anne-Marie Spalinger, soprano David Blalock, tenor

7 Psalms, Hymns, & Spiritual Songs Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Col. 3:16) This Biblical admonition is the basis for this morning s musical service of worship. Down through the ages, when the faith community has gathered to worship, to share its story, and to praise God, singing has been a vital and essential part of the experience. Throughout the Bible, we read that the people of God have responded to God s revelation and mighty acts of redemption with an outpouring of songs of praise. PSALMS- Perhaps the richest resource available to us is contained in the Book of Psalms, a compendium of theologically and spiritually edifying songs and poetry for use in worship. Several of this morning s works draw their inspiration directly from these texts. During the Reformation, the importance of singing psalms in worship was rediscovered by the Reformed church, particularly by John Calvin, who prescribed their use exclusively, rather than the singing of hymns. Although in later centuries, the Protestant church gradually reverted to singing hymn texts in services, psalm-singing has experienced a re-birth in twenty-first century America. Indeed, we often sing antiphonal psalms as congregational song in our worship at Trinity. HYMNS- The longest and oldest work on this morning s program is an ancient hymn of praise, the Te Deum. Most scholars agree that the Te Deum was authored at the beginning of the 5th century, and that it was originally composed in Latin and is not a translation from the Greek. The tripartite structure of the text offers further insight into its origins. The first section is comprised of 10 stanzas plus a Trinitarian doxology, and is a hymn of praise to God the Father. The second portion (stanzas 14-23), is Christological, praising Christ the Redeemer, the eternal Son, the coming judge, and ends with a petition of the faithful that they be numbered among the saints. The third and concluding portion is derived exclusively from the Psalms. This setting of this great hymn of the faith is by the most creative and dynamic British composer of the twentieth century, Benjamin Britten, whose 100th anniversary was celebrated worldwide last year. In contrast to the complex and lengthy text of the Te Deum, the next work utilizes but a single word. American composer Randall Thompson s ( ) beloved and extraordinary miniature masterpiece is a powerful, kaleidoscopic, hypnotic, and ecstatic harmonic response to the myriad human and spiritual emotions contained in the single utterance: Alleluia! One of the great hymn writers of the eighteenth century, Isaac Watts ( ), is also represented by his hymn Sing to the Lord in an arrangement by Robert Shaw and Alice Parker. Watts, a pastor, author of books on grammar, pedagogy, ethics, psychology, theology, and the father of English hymnody, was fifteen when he wrote the first of his over 600 hymns. Thus began another musical revolution in Reformed and Anglican worship. Watts believed our songs were a human offering of praise to God, and, therefore, the texts could and should be our own, as opposed to texts containing only strict Biblical quotes. If the psalms were sung, they should be Christianized and modernized [7]

8 an interesting concept! Watts wrote both original hymns and hymns based loosely on the psalms. The tune for this hymn, Dunlap s Creek, was composed by Samuel McFarland around 1816, and survives to this day in our Presbyterian Hymnal as #399. SPIRITUAL SONGS- Finally, two very different musical traditions met in America in the nineteenth century. From Europe came the habit of congregational hymn-singing, to be carried throughout the former English colonies (represented by the Watts text). From Africa came the heritage of communal music, embracing and permeating all aspects of daily and community life. Each flourished one among free white Americans, the other among black slaves and each remains as a living testimony to the faith and optimism of those who shaped it and were themselves shaped by it. Four of the works heard today Nobody Knows, Sometimes I Feel, My God is a Rock and Good News represent the essence of the African-American culture and musical tradition. This was a culture and religious expression not based on the written word, but transmitted in song and dance. Religion was bound up in all actions and occurrences of daily life, and music was the common thread weaving through it all. Techniques of call and response were an important element in this tradition, as well as a vital rhythmic content. This African music came with the slaves to America, flourishing even as it adapted to the often hostile conditions they found there. It is interesting to contrast the African-American embrace of music as a means of coping with their situation with the Old Testament psalmist s rejection of music in slavery: How shall we sing the Lord s song in a strange land?. It is fascinating to note that the texts used in these spirituals are surprisingly free of recrimination or bitterness, and are a true testimony to the indestructible power of the human spirit. The simple, eloquent, and powerful settings of these works by Robert Shaw ( ), Alice Parker (b. 1925) and William Dawson ( ) heard this morning have ensured them a permanent place in the modern sacred choral repertoire. (excerpted from Nick Jones) This morning s noble and inspired examples of the continuous flow of artistic and spiritual creativity down through the ages in response to God s Word perfectly embody our Lenten theme at Trinity. The transformative and renewing power of great sacred art is a cleansing and dynamic force in our daily lives and, at its best, can enliven our faith in new and exciting ways.

9 LIFE AT TRINITY Today at Trinity Worship Leaders Liturgist: Rev. Pam Driesell Acolyte Cannon Cecil Music Organist and Chancel Choir Director: Norman Mackenzie Flowers The flowers in the sanctuary are given by Edna Hitchins and family to the glory of God and in loving memory of John Hammond Hitchins, Sr. The arrangements reflect the penitential nature of this Lenten season by predominantly consisting of greens instead of flowers. Child Care Children are always welcome in the sanctuary. Child care and worship programs are available for children, birth through age 4 (8:45 am) and birth through 2nd grade (11:00 am): infants, D 100; one-year-olds, D 102; two-year-olds, D 104; three-year-olds, D 106; pre-k, D 119; Kindergarten, D110. 1st-graders attend worship with their families, leave at the parting litany, and may be picked up in D118 and D116. To Aid in Worship The church parlor is equipped with sound, should you or your child need to leave the sanctuary during the service. Seat cushions, hearingassist units, and large-print bulletins, hymnals, and Bibles may be obtained from the ushers. Shuttle Bus Service Shuttle service is available every Sunday, from 8:30 am to 12:45 pm, from the Atlanta Speech School (3160 Northside Parkway) to and from Trinity Church. Visitors If you are interested in learning more about Trinity Church or in becoming a member, you are encouraged to attend one of the New Member classes held throughout the year. Classes are held in the Chapel Parlor from 9:45 to 10:45 am on Sunday. Child care is available. The next class meets March 30, April 6, 13, 27. For more information contact Gay Gunter at or gayhgunter@charter.net. Children & Families Vacation Ventures Bible School June 9-13 Registration is now open for children ages 4 through rising 5th graders for this summer s Vacation Ventures Bible School, Workshop of Wonders. Register online at www. trinityatlanta.org. The deadline is April 15. Congregation Thursday Night Supper Thursday, March 20 5:45 pm, Williams Hall Menu: catfish, baked tilapia, seasoned potatoes, coleslaw, mixed fruit, garden salad, brownies, ice cream Cost is $7 per adult, $4 per child. Reservations may be made online at or by contacting the office at Congregational Meeting Sunday, March 23 12:00 pm, Sanctuary A congregational meeting will be held following 11:00 am worship on Sunday, March 23, for the purpose of receiving the annual report and terms of call. Education Church School Church school classes are offered for all ages, from 9:45 to 10:45 am. For a complete description of each class, visit www. trinityatlanta.org. BIBLE Reflection on Psalms George Yacoubian B CHRISTIAN LIVING AND SPIRITUAL PRACTICE Death, The Afterlife, and Destiny Jack Graham B110 [9]

10 PERSPECTIVES ON LITERATURE, ARTS, SCIENCE AND FAITH The Short Stories of Edith Pearlman Nancy Purdon B112 THEOLOGY AND SCIENCE Science and Spirituality: Our Place in the Universe Albert Anderson Williams Hall C ROOTS Exploring Adult Education Common Ground Best Practices from God s Children B108 Trinity Explores: Dealing with New Choices During End-of-Life Days and Death Thursdays, March 27, April 10 7:00 pm, B Advances in medical technology are creating, and perhaps imposing, new choices for individuals and families as we continue to live longer and, sometimes, linger near death for periods of time. This series will feature guest presenters including physicians, attorneys, medical ethicists, clergy, and counselors, who will help us understand issues, ranging from the decisions facing families, the legal requirements for a directive that ostensibly allows an individual to take charge of his or her final days, to planning one s own burial plans or memorial service. Finding Support Stephen Ministry The Stephen Ministry of Trinity Presbyterian Church offers confidential, one-to-one Christian care to those who are experiencing difficult life circumstances. Stephen Ministers are available in Williams Hall following the worship service. Contact: Calico Perry at candtperry@aol.com or , or Marc Krause at or mtkphoto1@gmail.com. Pastoral Care To notify the church of illness, hospitalization, birth, death, or prayer request, contact Veronica Ridenhour at , or vridenhour@ trinityatlanta.org. If you need pastoral care after church hours, page the pastor on call by dialing Counseling Counseling services are available by appointment at Trinity Church with Mary Lisa Henry, Ph.D., LCSW. Dr. Henry can be reached through her confidential voic at Groups Men of Trinity Friday, March 21 7:27 am, Williams Hall Join the group for this weekly opportunity to enjoy great fellowship, a lively program, and a really good breakfast. This week s speaker is Kieran Quinn, an Atlanta resident and member of the board of Trustees of the new Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School. The title of Kieran s talk is An Exciting New Approach to High School Education! Let s Teach Students About Corporate Atlanta and Calculus at the Same Time. The buffet line opens at 7:27 am, and the program concludes by 8:30 am. Reservations are not required. Cost is $7 per person. Nonfiction Book Club Thursday, March 20 7:00 pm, Chapel Parlor Dr. David Bartlett leads a discussion of Albert Schweitzer s The Quest of the Historical Jesus. All are welcome to this informal gathering; having read the book is not a requirement. Spiritual Formation Meditation Wednesdays 12:30 PM, Sanctuary Parlor In Trinity s Silent Meditation, participants gather in the Sanctuary Parlor every Wednesday at 12:30 pm. There is a reading to help everyone center down, as Howard Thurman put it, and then there is a 20-minute sitting in silence. There is instruction, to help the process. Spiritual Practice for Lent Daily Examen Daily Examen, initiated by Ignatius of Loyola, is rooted in the assumption that God speaks to us through our deepest feelings. The practice [10]

11 involves taking time each day to reflect and name the occasions that we felt most alive and grateful, as well as the occasions when we felt most brittle and drained. For instructions on the practice, visit and click Connect and Spiritual Formation. Study of Psalms Thursdays, March 12, 20, 27; April 3, 10 6:30-8:00 pm, B112 Come and engage scripture during Lent, led by rotating clergy, as we explore human emotions expressed in the Book of Psalms. God s people given voice in the Psalms struggle to make sense of who God is and who they are, and in so doing invite us to do the same. Join us for a deepening discussion of how these ancient texts of praise and lament can speak to us in our lives today. Cost is $13 for the book. To sign up, contact Lisa Carson at lcarson@ trinityatlanta.org or at Worship & Music 5th Sunday at 5 Sunday, March 30 5:00 pm, Dobbs Chapel Informal worship with communion. Be Nourished. Experience the Holy. Leave Renewed. Join us for our very first 5th Sunday at 5 an experiential evening worship service with an unexpected atmosphere. Come try this fresh take on Trinity s substantive worship tradition! All are welcome. Youth PYC 5:00 pm, Youth Choir 6:00 pm, Youth Supper 6:30 pm, PYC Join us for PYC this week. Middle school students will begin to look at how technology impacts our lives and faith. Senior high students, come power down with time for prayer stations and worship. This Week at Trinity Sunday, March 16 8:45 am Worship 9:45 am Church School 11:00 am Worship 11:00 am Kinderworship 5:00 pm Youth Choir 6:00 pm Youth Supper 6:30 pm PYC Monday, March 17 6:30 pm Session Tuesday, March 18 11:30 am Pastors Aid: The Gathering Wednesday, March 19 7:00 am Faces of Wisdom 7:45 am Gun Violence, Faith Values 9:30 am Love and Logic Parenting Series 10:00 am The Tent 12:30 pm Silent Meditation 6:00 pm Middling Dads 4:00 pm Writing as Spiritual Practice 7:00 pm Strategic Planning 7:30 pm Chancel Choir 8:00 pm AA Meeting Thursday, March 20 9:30 am Bible Study 10:00 am Spirituality of Aging 4:00 pm Hosanna Ringers 4:00 pm Primary Choir 4:45 pm Cherub Choir I 5:00 pm Junior Choir 5:15 pm Cherub Choir II 5:45 pm Thursday Night Supper 6:30 pm Lenten Bible Study 6:30 pm Middle Moms 7:00 pm Nonfiction Book Club Friday, March 21 7:27 am Men s Breakfast 4:00 pm Confirmation Retreat Next Sunday March 23 8:45 & 11:00 am worship A Deep Hunger, A Lingering Thirst, and a Renewed Life Psalm 95:1-7; John 4:5-42 Rev. Pam Driesell preaching

12 Staff Pam Driesell: Senior Pastor ext. 421 David Bartlett: Theologian in Residence ext. 455 Candi Cylar: Program Director of Children and Family Ministries ext. 446 Jeannie DuBose: Director of Spiritual Formation ext. 429 Craig Goodrich: Senior Associate Pastor ext. 436 Norman Mackenzie: Director of Music and Fine Arts ext. 430 Erin McGee: Associate Pastor of Children and Family Ministries Erin is on sabbatical until April 3. During her absence, contact Candi Cylar. Matthew Ruffner: Associate Pastor of Mission Ministries ext. 423 John Ryan: Director of Youth and Family Ministries ext. 456 Emeriti Allison Williams: Pastor Emeritus P.C. Enniss: Theologian in Residence Emeritus Bettye Sue Wright: Director of Christian Education Emerita 3003 Howell Mill Road, NW Atlanta, GA Cover: photo of Trinity Presbyterian Church by Debbie Overby