The Third Sunday in Lent THE HOLY EUCHARIST March 7, 2021, 11:00 AM The Church of Saint Mary the Virgin in the City of New York About the Music The organ prelude today is a setting of Von Gott will ich nicht lassen, BWV 658, one of the eighteen Leipzig Chorales of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750). The “Great Eighteen” were collected and published in the final decade of Bach’s life, and are considered to represent the summit of chorale-based Baroque organ composition. In this case, the chorale text, the first phrase of which is interpreted as “I shall not abandon God, for he does not abandon me,” is attributed to Ludwig Helmbold and dated 1563. Its melody, from an anonymous 1557 source, is set by Bach to be played on the organ pedals in the alto register surrounded by a gentle three-voice lace of manual accompaniment. The ending of this chorale prelude is notably prolonged, and with an additional voice added, as if to tone-paint a steadfast desire to remain and not leave. There are four additional four-voice harmonizations of this same chorale melody by Bach, only one of which has its source in one of his cantatas. Bach’s harmonization of Von Gott will ich nicht lassen—cataloged as BWV 418 and about which there is no further source data—is the postlude today. The setting of the Mass today is Messe du sixième ton by Henri Dumont (1610–1684). Dumont was born in Belgium. As a child, Henri and his brother Lambert were choirboys at the Basilica of Our Lady in Maastricht. Henri was later named organist there and was eventually succeeded by his brother. In 1639 Henri moved to Paris to become organist of the parish of Saint Paul. Beginning in 1652 he was harpsichordist at the court of Phillipe I, Duke of Orléans. From that post he advanced to Master of the Chapelle Royale in Versailles in 1663 and, in 1893, Master of the Queen’s Music. He composed mostly religious music including nearly a hundred Petits Motets. His five plainsong Masses, known as Messes Royales, gained currency alongside the anonymous repertory of medieval plainsong Masses. The Kyrie, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei from Dumont’s plainsong Mass on the sixth tone will be sung as the ordinary today. The cantor today is soprano, Sharon Harms. During the administration of Communion, she will sing He shall feed his flock from Messiah by George Frederick Handel (1685–1759). Although Handel’s Messiah is classified as an oratorio, it departs from the classical definition of an oratorio in that its libretto is an extended biblical meditation rather than a dramatic biblical narrative. Nonetheless, Messiah is deservedly recognized as one of the great oratorios of the western music canon. Handel’s friend, Charles Jennens (1700–1773), compiled the libretto of biblical quotes which begin with the prophetic anticipation of the promised Savior and extend to matters of the final consummation at the end of time. Composed within a month’s time in the summer of 1741, Handel’s Messiah is divided into three parts with a total of fifty-three musical components. He shall feed his flock occurs late in the first part of Messiah. Its text is Isaiah 40:11, and its style is that of a pastorale in lilting 12/8 meter. He shall feed his flock is the first half of a double aria, the second section of which contains the same essential music transposed a perfect fourth higher and paired with the text “Come unto him, all ye that labor” (Matthew 11:28-29). - 2 - About Today’s Cantor Praised as “superb”, “luscious-toned”, “extraordinarily precise and expressive”, and “dramatically committed and not averse to risk” by the New York Times, American soprano Sharon Harms is known for fearless performances and passionate interpretations of works new and old for the recital, concert, and operatic stage. A member of the Argento Ensemble, Ms. Harms has premiered the music of some of today's leading composers and her repertoire spans a versatile spectrum of periods and styles. She has sung with Da Capo Chamber Players, East Coast Contemporary Ensemble, Eighth Blackbird, Ensemble Recherche, Ensemble Signal, International Contemporary Ensemble, Juilliard Center for Innovation in the Arts, Limón Dance Company, MET Opera Chamber Orchestra, New Chamber Ballet, Pacifica Quartet, Princeton Festival Opera, Simon Bolivar Orchestra, Talea Ensemble, and Third Coast Percussion, among others. She has also been a guest artist with the American Academy in Rome, Colorado College Summer Music Festival, Columbia University, Cornell University, June in Buffalo, MATA Festival, University of British Columbia, University of Chicago, University of Notre Dame, Radcliffe Institute, and Resonant Bodies Festival and a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center. Ms. Harms is soprano faculty for the Composer’s Conference at Brandeis University and was a visiting guest instructor at East Carolina University in 2017. She appears on the Albany, Bridge, and Innova labels. www.sharonharms.com. The Prelude Von Gott will ich nicht lassen, BWV 658 Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) Since all cushions have been removed from the church, the members of the Congregation should feel free to stand, sit, or kneel, as they wish, and as they are able, throughout the celebration of the Eucharist. THE LIVESTREAM AT SAINT MARY’S Permission to stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE, License 718785-A. All rights reserved. - 3 - THE HOLY EUCHARIST THE WORD OF GOD The Entrance & Opening Acclamation A bell is rung and music is played. The Celebrant enters, goes to the Altar, and says Bless the Lord who forgives all our sins. People His mercy endures forever. Then the Celebrant prays Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. People Amen. The Song of Praise The Choir sings Kyrie eleison. The setting of the Mass ordinary is Messe du sixième ton by Henri Dumont (1610–1684). Kyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy. Kyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy. Kyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy. Christe eleison. Christ, have mercy. Christe eleison. Christ, have mercy. Christe eleison. Christ, have mercy. Kyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy. Kyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy. Kyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy. The Collect of the Day The Celebrant says The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Celebrant Let us pray. The Celebrant says the Collect, and the People respond, Amen. - 4 - The Lessons The Congregation is seated. The first Lesson, Exodus 20:1–17, is now read. After the Lesson, the Reader says The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God. The Psalm The Congregation joins in saying Psalm 19:7–11. The Reader says 7 The law of the LORD is perfect and revives the soul; * All the testimony of the LORD is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent. 8 The statutes of the LORD are just and rejoice the heart; * the commandment of the LORD is clear and gives light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean and endures for ever; * the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, more than much fine gold, * sweeter far than honey, than honey in the comb. 11 By them also is your servant enlightened, * and in keeping them there is great reward. Verse before the Gospel The Celebrant stands, and the appointed verse, Amos 5:4, is sung. Seek good and not evil, that you may live; * and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you. - 5 - The Holy Gospel A Minister proclaims the Gospel, first saying The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Minister The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark. People Glory to you, Lord Christ. The appointed Gospel, John 2:13–22, is now proclaimed. After the Gospel, the Minister says The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ. The Sermon The Reverend Stephen Gerth The Nicene Creed The Celebrant leads the Creed, saying We believe in one God, All the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit Bow he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. - 6 - We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.