Taizé A Time of Prayer
A Taize Liturgy on the Feast of Johann Sebastian Bach
Opening Meditation:
Leader: Be still and know that I am God People: Be still and know that I am God Leader: Be still and know that I am People: Be still and know that I am Leader: Be still and know People: Be still and know Leader: Be still People: Be still Leader: Be People: Be
Chant One: Holy Spirit, Come to Us
Psalm 150, Laudate Dominum (Appointed for the Feast of The Composers)
1 Hallelujah! Praise God in his holy temple; * praise him in the firmament of his power. 2 Praise him for his mighty acts; * praise him for his excellent greatness. Where there is devotional music, God is always at hand 3 Praise him with the blast of the ram's-horn; * praise him with lyre and harp. 4 Praise him with timbrel and dance; * praise him with strings and pipe. Where there is devotional music, God is always at hand 5 Praise him with resounding cymbals; * praise him with loud-clanging cymbals. 6 Let everything that has breath * praise the LORD. Hallelujah! Where there is devotional music, God is always at hand
[Response from Johann Sebastian Bach]
Silence
The Reading: Luke 2:8–14
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
READER: The Word of the Lord
PEOPLE: Thanks be to God.
Chant Two: Laudate, Dominum
Silence
Intercessions (adapted from New Zealand Prayer Book)
Kyrie, Kyrie, Eleison. Kyrie, Kyrie, Eleison We pray for the church and for people of faith everywhere. Gracious God, may your Spirit give strength to all your people as they work and serve you in your world. Unite us in your truth and love, and help us to show your love to others.
Lord, we pray: Kyrie, Kyrie, Eleison. Kyrie, Kyrie, Eleison
We pray for the peoples of our world, especially for those facing war, disease or famine. God our creator, help us to share all the good gifts that you have given us. Guide those who lead the nations of the world that they may find wisdom to see your kingdom and courage to seek it.
Lord, we pray: Kyrie, Kyrie, Eleison. Kyrie, Kyrie, Eleison
We pray for our community and for all who live and work in this city. God our companion, be with our families and friends. And be with us as we seek to help each other just as you love and help us.
Lord, we pray: Kyrie, Kyrie, Eleison. Kyrie, Kyrie, Eleison
We pray for those in need, for sick people, for those in hospital, and for those in trouble. Compassionate God, give your strength and healing to all those who are sad, lonely, or sick. Make us instruments of your peace.
Lord, we pray: Kyrie, Kyrie, Eleison. Kyrie, Kyrie, Eleison
We pray for those who have died. We pray for all who mourn, that they may feel your care for them. God of hope, we thank you that not even death can separate us from your love.
Lord, we pray: Kyrie, Kyrie, Eleison. Kyrie, Kyrie, Eleison
Finally, we pray for ourselves, for all that we will do this week, and for all those we will meet. Loving God we give this week into your hands. Be with us in all that we do, may we find your joy and know your peace this week, and may we learn and grow ever more into your likeness.
Lord, we pray: Kyrie, Kyrie, Eleison. Kyrie, Kyrie, Eleison
(Said in unison)
God, Creator, bring us new life. Jesus, Redeemer, renew and strengthen us. Holy Spirit, Sustainer, guide us and give us your peace. AMEN.
Prayers Around the Cross – Those who wish to make their prayers around the cross are invited to move to the seats located there and return to your seat when finished.
The Collect : Sound out your majesty, O God, and call us to your work; that, like thy servant Johann Sebastian Bach, we might present our lives and our works to your glory alone; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Concluding Prayers (Compline, BCP)
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace. Lord, you now have set your servant free * to go in peace as you have promised; For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, * whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A Light to enlighten the nations, * and the glory of your people Israel. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Chant Three: Bless the Lord, My Soul
Officiant: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
Johann Sebastian Bach, widely regarded as the greatest of all composers of music for Christian worship, was born in 1685 in Eisenach, Thuringia, Germany, into a family of distinguished musicians. In 1708, shortly after marrying his cousin, Maria Barbara Bach, he became court organist to the Duke of Weimar, where he wrote his principal compositions for the organ. In 1717 he became music director (Kapellmeister) to Prince Leopold of Coethen. In 1720, his wife died, and in 1721 he married Anna Magdalena Wuelcken, for whom he composed a famous set of keyboard pieces. From 1723 until his death in 1750 he was at Leipzig, where he taught, conducted, sang, played, and composed. He had 20 children, of whom nine survived him, four of whom are also remembered as composers.