Evensong to Assist the Choristers’ Scholarship Fund
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A Benefit Choral Evensong to assist the Choristers’ Scholarship Fund Magnificat by Sieger Koder Presented by: The Grand Rapids Choir of Men & Boys Thursday, May 20, 8 PM ~ St. Mark’s Episcopal Church – Grand Rapids Friday, May 21, 8 PM ~ St. Paul’s Episcopal Church – Muskegon Saturday, May 22, 7 PM ~ St. Mary’s Cathedral – Lansing Sunday, May 23, 4 PM ~ Christ Church - Cranbrook ~ Special Guest Director - Dr. Martin Neary ~ ~ CONCERNING THIS SERVICE OF EVENSONG ~ The form of this service is little altered from that of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, but the content has a much longer history. The Psalms were the hymns of the Jewish temple; the Canticles, the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, are from the New Testament; other prayers and hymns come from the past centuries of the Christian church. All these texts have been refined throughout the ages to express the profound mysteries of God. For some it is music, not words alone, that carries them into the presence of God; for others it is silent meditation. For most people, however, it takes all three – words, music, and silent meditation – to lead them into the true spirit of worship. This service of Evensong is a unique part of our Christian heritage with its offering of a liturgical, architectural, and musical space into which we may bring our daily anxieties and preoccupations, and hold them together with a recollection of the God whose saving acts we celebrate. One may feel that there is little opportunity for the congregation to take an active part in the worship, but the wisdom of the ages tells us that most find that through their own silent attention, while ministers and choir speak and sing in their name, they make the words and music their own. They are then able, with an uncluttered mind, to offer to God the best of who they are and what they hope to become. It is then that this service of Evensong, which has been called the jewel in the crown of Anglicanism, can be experienced for what it is; a worship experience that allows us, with all our senses, to express our hopes and thanksgivings to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (St. Paul’s Cathedral, San Diego) ~ Introit ~ Beati Quorum Via (Psalm 119) C.V. Stanford (1852-1924) Beati quorum via integra est: Blessed are the undefiled in the way: Qui ambulant in lege Domini. who walk in the law of the Lord. ~ Prelude ~ Fantasia and Fugue in D Minor Josef Seger (1716-1782) ~ Hymn ~ The Church’s One Foundation S.S. Wesley (Choir & Congregation) (1810-1876) The church's one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord; She is his new creation by water and the Word. From heaven he came and sought her to be his holy bride; With his own blood he bought her, and for her life he died. Elect from every nation, yet one o'er all the earth; Her charter of salvation, one Lord, one faith, one birth; One holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food, And to one hope she presses, with every grace endued. Though with a scornful wonder we see her sore oppressed, By schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed, Yet saints their watch are keeping; their cry goes up, "How long?" And soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song. Mid toil and tribulation, and tumult of her war, She waits the consummation of peace forevermore; Till, with the vision glorious, her longing eyes are blest, And the great church victorious shall be the church at rest. Yet she on earth hath union with God the Three in One, And mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won. O happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace that we Like them, the meek and lowly, on high may dwell with thee. ~ The Preces & Responses ~ Set I Martin Neary (b.1940) Precentor: Oh Lord, open thou our lips Choir: And our mouth shall shew forth thy praise Precentor: O God, make speed to save us Choir: O Lord, make haste to help us. Precentor: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; Choir: As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be: world without end Amen. Praise ye the Lord. ~ The Psalm ~ The Psalm setting for tonight’s service is a newly commissioned setting of Psalm 46 by Grand Rapids composer, Dr. Carol VanRandwyke. Dr. Carol VanRandwyk received a Bachelor of Music Degree in theory and composition in 1982, a Master of Music Degree in theory in 1984, and a Ph.D. in music composition in 1994 from Michigan State University. She is currently head of composition and theory at GRCC where the choir makes it’s home. Psalm 46 Carol VanRandwyk 1. God is our hope and strength: a very present help in trouble. 2. Therefore will we not fear though the earth be mov’d: and though the hills be carried into the midst of the sea. 3. Though the waters thereof rage and swell: and though the mountains shake at the tempest of the same. 4. The rivers of the flood thereof shall make glad the city of God: the holy place of the tabernacle of the most Highest. 5. God is in the midst of her, therefore shall she not be remov’d: God shall help her and that right early. 6. The heathen make much ado and the kingdoms are mov’d: but God hath shewed his voice and the earth shall melt away. 7. The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our refuge. 8. O come hither and behold the works of the Lord: what destruction He hath brought upon the earth. 9. He maketh wars to cease in all the world: He breaketh the bow and knappeth the spear in sunder, and burneth the chariots in the fire. 10. Be still then and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, and I will be exalted in the earth. 11. The Lord of Host is with us: the God of Jacob is our refuge. Gloria: Glory be to the Father: and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be: world without end. Amen. ~ Old Testament Lesson ~ Joshua 24:1-15 (Joshua’s Last Message) ~ Evening Canticle I ~ Magnificat (Collegium Regale) Song of Mary Herbert Howells (1892-1983) My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For He hath regarded the lowliness of His hand maiden. For behold, from hence forth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath magnified me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on them that fear Him throughout all generations. He hath shewed strength with His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put the mighty from their seat and hath exalted the humble and the meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things and the rich He hath sent empty away. He remembering His mercy hath holpen His servant Israel, As He promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, forever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be: world without end. Amen. ~ New Testament Lesson ~ Ephesians 3:14-21 (Christ’s Love for Us) ~ Evening Canticle II ~ Nunc Dimittis (Collegium Regale) Song of Simeon Hebert Howells (1892-1983) Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace: according to Thy word. For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation Which Thou hast prepared before the faces of all people, To be a light to lighten the Gentiles: and to be the glory of Thy people Israel. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. ~ The Creed~ Precentor: I believe in God… All: …the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ his 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 ~ The Preces & Responses ~ Set II Martin Neary (b.1940) Precentor: The Lord be with you. Choir: And with thy spirit. Precentor: Let us pray. Choir: Lord, have mercy upon us, Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. ~ The Lord’s Prayer ~ Precentor: Our Father, Choir: Which 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 trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen Precentor: O Lord, shew Thy mercy upon us. Choir: And grant us Thy salvation. Precentor: O Lord, save the Nation. Choir: And mercifully hear us when we call upon Thee. Precentor: Endue Thy mercies with righteousness.