sign in sign up
<<
Home , Invitatory, Preces, Responsory

CHORAL

February 28, 2021 6:00 P.M.

WELCOME TO CHORAL EVENSONG

The American Cathedral of the Holy Trinity welcomes all people. Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, whatever your questions, whatever your situation, we are glad you are here and invite you to find out more about our life together.

SACRED SPACE AND SACRED TIME

It is the tradition of the Episcopal Church to maintain silence in worship areas so that people may pray. Please help us preserve an atmosphere of quiet reverence before worship.

Please turn off all mobile phones when you enter the Cathedral, and refrain from photography.

Let go of distractions, and let the silence and the music be gifts as we create sacred space and sacred time together.

The American Cathedral in Paris 23, Avenue George V 75008 PARIS

EVENSONG

Choral Evensong (Evening Prayer/Vêpres Chantées) is one of the real jewels of the Anglican tradition, and has been so for over 400 years. A service of timeless beauty and heritage, it dates from the English , when the medieval Latin monastic offices of and were translated into English to be used in all parish and cathedral churches.

Along with sung Mattins (Morning Prayer), Evensong was one of the principal of the Anglican Church until the late nineteenth-century, when the became increasingly prevalent. The service as we have it today is essentially unchanged from Archbishop Thomas Cranmer’s 1549 -- from which the current Episcopal Prayer Book draws its origins.

The style of English language (Rite I) used is similar to the language of Shakespeare, dating from the sixteenth century.

Much of Evensong is sung by the -- giving the congregation the opportunity to listen to the fine Anglican choral tradition of music, and to be inspired and uplifted in worship. It is a musical offering of praise to God.

The text of Evensong is taken almost entirely from the Scripture. A portion of the is beautifully chanted by the choir. There are readings from the Old Testament and the New. Then there are the two great songs: the , the song of Mary when she heard that she was to become the mother of our Lord; and the Nunc Dimittis, the words of the old prophet Simeon as he held the infant Jesus in his arms and recognized Him as the Messiah.

Incense is used by the Church as a symbol of our prayers rising to heaven: “Let my prayer be counted as incense before you” (Psalm 141). We find in the book of Revelation that incense symbolizes the prayers of the saints in heaven -- “the golden bowl full of incense are the prayers of the saints” (5:8; 8:3) -- which rise towards the altar of God. At Evensong, incense is used at the opening , and at the Magnificat, to bless the altar and mark it as the sacramental heart of the parish.

The clergy lead the congregation in prayer and intercession. Several collects (prayers) are chanted. You are invited to join in singing the , the , and in prayer.

CHORAL EVENSONG

INTROIT: Emendemus in melius (1540-1623) (sung in Latin)

Let us change for the better those sins which we have committed unknowingly, lest suddenly overtaken by the day of death we should seek time to repent and be unable to find it. Hear us, o Lord, and have pity on us, because we have sinned against you. Help us, o God of our salvation, and for the honor of your name, deliver us from sin. (Text, Responsory for The First Sunday of )

HYMN (sung by all): 617, “Eternal Ruler of the ceaseless round” SONG 1 VERSES 1 AND 2

Words: John White Chadwick (1840-1904) Music: Song 1, melody and bass (1583-1625); harm. Hymns for Church and School, 1964 ONE LICENSE # A-732425

THE AND PSALTER

THE William Byrd (1540-1623) Officiant: O Lord, open thou our lips. Choir: And our mouth shall show forth thy praise. Officiant: O God, make speed to save us. Choir: O Lord, make haste to help us. Officiant: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Choir: As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Officiant: Praise ye the Lord. Choir: The Lord's name be praised.

Please be seated while the Choir sings the Appointed

THE PSALMS: 137 George M. Garrett (1834-1897) Super flumina 1 By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept, * when we remembered you, O Zion. 2 As for our harps, we hung them up * on the trees in the midst of that land. 3 For those who led us away captive asked us for a song, and our oppressors called for mirth: *

3

"Sing us one of the songs of Zion."

4 How shall we sing the LORD'S song * upon an alien soil? 5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, * let my right hand forget its skill. 6 Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, * if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy. 7 Remember the day of Jerusalem, O LORD, against the people of Edom, * who said, "Down with it! down with it! even to the ground!" 8 O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, * happy the one who pays you back for what you have done to us! PSALM 138 Henry Dibdin (1813- 1866) Confitebor tibi 1 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with my whole heart; * before the gods I will sing your praise. 2 I will bow down toward your holy temple and praise your name, * because of your love and faithfulness; for you have glorified your name * and your word above all things. 3 When I called, you answered me; * you increased my strength within me. 4 All the rulers of the earth will praise you, O Lord, * when they have heard the words of your mouth. 5 They will sing of the ways of the Lord, * that great is the glory of the Lord. 6 Though you are high, you care for the lowly; * you perceive the haughty from afar. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe; * you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies; your mighty hand shall save me. 8 O Lord, you will make good your purpose for me; * your love endures for ever; do not abandon the works of your hands. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen

4

THE LESSONS

THE FIRST LESSON: Jeremiah 1:1-10

The words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, to whom the word of the Lord came in the days of King Josiah son of Amon of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. It came also in the days of King Jehoiakim son of Josiah of Judah, and until the end of the eleventh year of King Zedekiah son of Josiah of Judah, until the captivity of Jerusalem in the fifth month. Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a boy’; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.” Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, “Now I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”

The Word of the Lord. All respond Thanks be to God.

MAGNIFICAT Sung by the Choir Second Service, William Byrd (1540-1623) MY SOUL doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden. For behold, from henceforth 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 showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble and 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.

THE SECOND LESSON: Mark 3:31—4:9

Jesus’ mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.” And he replied, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” Again he began to teach beside the sea. Such a very large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the sea and sat there, while the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. He began to teach them many

5

things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it sprang up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.” And he said, “Let anyone with ears to hear listen!”

The Word of the Lord. All respond Thanks be to God.

NUNC DIMITTIS Sung by the Choir Second Service, William Byrd (1540-1623) 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 face 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.

Please stand.

THE APOSTLES' , sung by all, monotone.

I BELIEVE in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, 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 Spirit, the holy , the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

6

THE PRAYERS

Officiant: The Lord be with you. Choir: And with thy spirit. Officiant: Let us pray.

Please kneel (as you are able) while prayers are sung.

Choir: Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.

Remain kneeling for the LORD’S PRAYER, sung by the Choir in English, monotone

OUR FATHER, which art in heaven, John Farmer (1570- 1601) hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, in 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.

Officiant: O Lord, show thy mercy upon us. Choir: And grant us thy salvation. Officiant: O Lord, save the State. Choir: And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee. Officiant: Endue thy ministers with righteousness. Choir: And make thy chosen people joyful. Officiant: O Lord, save thy people. Choir: And bless thine inheritance. Officiant: Give peace in our time, O Lord. Choir: Because there is none other that fighteth for us, but only thou, O God. Officiant: O God, make clean our hearts within us. Choir: And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.

7

The Officiant sings the Collects (prayers).

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from thy ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of thy Word, Jesus Christ thy Son; who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, for ever and ever. Choir Amen.

Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Choir Amen.

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give thine angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for thy love’s sake. Choir Amen.

The Dean will invite further prayers

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

ANTHEM: Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes William Byrd (1540-1623)

Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes : and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law : yea, I shall keep it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments : for therein is my desire. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies : and not to covetousness. O turn away mine eyes, lest they behold vanity : and quicken thou me in thy way. O stablish thy word in thy servant : that I may fear thee. (Psalm 119:33-38, Book of Common Prayer 1662)

Please stand and say together A PRAYER OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM

Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication unto thee, and hast promised through thy well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name thou wilt be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.

Dean Let us bless the Lord People Thanks be to God. Dean The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. People Amen.

8

HYMN (sung by all): “I heard the voice of Jesus say” THE THIRD TUNE

Words: Horatius Bonar (1808-1889), alt. Music: The Third Tune, (1505-1585) ONE LICENSE # A-732425

ORGAN VOLUNTARY: Ut, re, mi, fa, sol, la William Byrd (1540-1623)

MORGANE COLLOMB, GRACE DURHAM, LEWIS HAMMOND, MATTHIEU HEIM, AND NICHOLAS SCOTT The American Cathedral Choir Staff Singers

ZACHARY ULLERY Canon for Music

ANDREW DEWAR Cathedral Organist

NICHOLAS SCOTT Officiant

GRACE DURHAM AND LUCINDA LAIRD Lectors

SARAH STURMAN Crucifer

THE REVEREND CANON NATHANIEL KATZ Cathedral Canon

THE VERY REVEREND LUCINDA R. LAIRD Dean

9

Take Action This Week

Friday, March 5th, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Organ Concert Series: Nathan Laube Reserve your spot now!

A big thank you to all who helped make the inaugural concert such a resounding success!

We hope all of you will join us on Friday the 5th of March for the second recital in this series. The March concert will feature Nathan Laube, playing on the organ at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik in Stuttgart.

As with the February concert, attendance is free, but registration is required. To register, scan this new QR code or email [email protected].

Weekly Spotify Playlist

Check out music that you might hear on Sunday morning or music that corresponds with the for Sunday. The Spotify playlist is now collaborative, so please feel free to add your own favorites to the list! Listen at https://sptfy.com/amcathmusicfeb28

Hymn Requests

Do you have a favorite hymn that you really miss singing? Let’s change that! Please send your hymn requests to Canon Ullery at [email protected]

Support Music at the American Cathedral

The annual sponsorship drive for Les Arts George V (LAGV) is now underway. In addition to hosting numerous concerts each year, LAGV financially supports the Cathedral music program by providing funding for Cathedral Choir staff singers, Choral , Cathedral Choir concerts, our services of Lessons and Carols, and towards the upkeep of the aging historic Cavaillé-Coll and the Cole Porter piano. Click here to read the most recent newsletter.

Click here to visit the website and support LAGV.

Please continue to support the Cathedral

We know nearly everyone connected with the American Cathedral is experiencing unusual financial pressure, but so are we. To the extent you can, please consider donating online or by mailing a check (in either euros or US dollars), given that our plate revenue is nonexistent right now. Find out more about donating at amcathparis.com/donate

A gift (a donation) is a one-time payment and may go towards a specific fund. While these are greatly appreciated, what we really need are pledges. A pledge is the amount you plan to give during a specific fiscal year. Find out more at amcathparis.com/make-a-pledge

To donate now, scan this QR code.

Announcements

Please check the Cathedral website regularly for updates: www.amcathparis.com

Please send your communications requests, including information for the bulletins and e-letters, to our Communications Manager, Sarah Sturman, at [email protected] and your general information requests, including ceremonies, dedications, and mailing updates to our Parish Coordinator, Timothy Thompson, at [email protected].

If you need assistance - If you need help getting food, organizing medical aid, or if you just want to chat with someone, contact the Pastoral Care Committee at [email protected]. Be sure to provide your name and phone number so we can get back to you. The clergy are always available for pastoral care as well: contact Dean Laird at [email protected] or Canon Katz at [email protected].

The American Cathedral in Paris 23 avenue George V, 75008 Paris Tel: 01 53 23 84 00 e-mail: [email protected] website : www.amcathparis.com

3