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Advent is the season in which the Christian Church waits and watches for the coming of Jesus Christ. Through scripture, song and silence we hear again the story of God’s people who longed for a Savior. Living in the reality that Jesus Christ has indeed come, that he has died and that he has risen, we await for his coming again in glory. Blue or Purple vestments are worn at Christ Church throughout Advent, and the Advent Wreath, which is hung above the sanctuary, marks each passing week with an additional lighted candle. Throughout the Sundays of Advent Gloria in excelsis, “Glory to God in the highest,” is suppressed as the opening song of praise, in its place is Kyrie eleison, “Lord, have mercy.” The new liturgical year begins on the First Sunday of Advent: we are now in Year A; the gospel reading appointed most Sundays in Year A is from the Gospel according to Matthew.
The Holy Eucharist, the principal act of Christian worship on the Lord's Day and other major Feasts, and Daily Morning and Evening Prayer, as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer, 1979, are the regular services appointed for public worship in the Episcopal Church. At Christ Church we celebrate the Holy Eucharist every Sunday, and also on Holy Days and other occasions.
Today’s liturgy is from the red Book of Common Prayer 1979. All hymns are taken from the blue Hymnal 1982 or other authorized hymnals for use in the Episcopal Church. All hymns are reprinted with permission under OneLicense.net A713125.
Music & Lectionary Notes at 10am
Dr. J’s Music Notes
Today’s Prelude and Postlude are two newly discovered Bach organ works, the Chaconne in D minor, BWV 1178 and the Chaconne in G minor, BWV 1179. They have been officially confirmed by the Bach Archive in Leipzig and were performed for the first time in over 320 (!) years last month. The pieces are early works from when Bach was a teenager, around age 20, working as an organist in Arnstadt. The discovery was possible after researchers identified the anonymous scribe of the manuscripts, linking them to a former pupil of Bach, and confirming stylistic characteristics unique to the young composer. So today, Christ Church is among the very first congregations in the world to experience an exceptionally rare musical treat – new pieces by J. S. Bach!
This is the Record of John by Orlando Gibbons is a verse anthem based on a text from the Gospel of John. The piece is divided into three sections, each beginning with a verse for solo tenor followed by a full section (a consort of voices), echoing words of the verse. The singers are often accompanied by an organ however there are also string parts, so accompaniment by a viol consort is an option. This verse-anthem was written at the request of William Laud, who was president of St. John’s College, Oxford, from 1611 to 1621; the St John to whom the college is dedicated is John the Baptist referred to in the anthem. It was written for the college chapel and presumably received its first performance there. It is one of the most performed choral anthems around the world.