God of Abundance

The Seventh Sunday of Easter
May 13, 2018

Last Sunday, we sang Psalm 98, "Sing to the LORD a new song." Today, our Cathedral Choir is doing just that. Michael McCabe, an Omaha composer, has written a new anthem, "God of Abundance," which we will premiere this morning and record next week. (Read more about McCabe in the 4/15/18 edition of Praying Twice.)

The text is by The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori, the 26th Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church.


The text speaks of the wonders of creation and the abiding presence of God - appropriate themes as this Easter season draws to a glorious conclusion:

 God of glorious and radiant abundance,
we give thanks for all that is,
for stars in their nebulae,
for wind in the trees,
seeds in the pod, 
food on the tables,
and the grace of fellowship we enjoy in the banquet.
We give thanks for your presence in our midst,
as the Holy One, as the eternal Spirit,
and in the face of each of your children.
May your loving kindness follow us all the days of our lives,
and into the eternal.
We ask this on behalf of all creation,
that we may in our turn strive to love as you do.
In your holy name we pray. Amen

Today's communion anthem, "If Ye Love Me" by Thomas Tallis (1505-1585), is consistently included in every list of essential Anglican choral music - often in the number one or number two spot. Tallis was one of the first composers to create musical settings of English language texts for the rites of the Church. This anthem epitomizes the elegant simplicity and beauty of 16th century English style. Here is a recording: If Ye Love Me 

Our Cathedral Choir sings a vast repertoire of sacred music, ranging from ancient chants to anthems by the best modern composers. Our cathedral mission statement encourages us to create "a vibrant worshiping community in the Anglican choral tradition." That tradition encourages us to experience and join our voices with every generation of Christians through sacred song.

 We believe that the Holy Spirit continues to inspire new creations from poets, artists, and musicians, and we share in that new creation by bringing music to life in worship. In today's Eucharist, like most Sundays, we will experience music from a variety of countries and historical eras. Our Anglican musical tradition encompasses the best sacred music of every age and allows all of us to join "with the heavenly chorus, with prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and with all those in every generation who have looked to you in hope, to proclaim with them your glory, in their unending hymn." (Eucharistic Prayer C, BCP 370)

 Music for the Seventh Sunday of Easter
May 13, 2018

 Hymns: 214, 193, 192, 460
Service Music: S-278, 848*, S-128, 877*
Anthems:
God of Abundance   -Michael McCabe
If Ye Love Me   -Thomas Tallis
Music for Handbells:
All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name   -arr. Patricia Sanders Cota
Organ Music:
Prelude on Earth and All Stars   -David Johnson
The Emperor's Fanfare   -Antonio Soler

*From Wonder, Love, and Praise, an authorized supplement to The Hymnal 1982

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Come, Holy Spirit

Image
The Day of Pentecost May 31, 2020 We celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Today, we will hear organ settings of two classic Pentecost hymns. " Nun bitten wir den Heiligen Geist " ("We pray now to the Holy Spirit") is a German hymn. The first stanza dates to the Middle Ages, and additional stanzas were added by Martin Luther in the 16th century. The tune appears in organ chorales (organ compositions based on Lutheran chorale tunes) and cantatas by several Baroque composers, including this setting by Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707). Hear the authentic sound in this video recorded on a Silberman pipe organ built in  1721:  Nun bitten wir The organ postlude is a setting of the great plainsong hymn, Veni Creator Spiritus ("Come Holy Ghost, our souls inspire"). This hymn dates from the 9th century and is typically sung on Pentecost and at ordinations. Originally in Latin, the hymn is found in an English translation in The Hymnal 1982
Read more

Composer Michael McCabe

Image
The Third Sunday of Easter April 15, 2018 Sing to the Lord a new song!    -Psalm 96 Easter - a celebration of new life in Christ - serves as the perfect season for the creation and offering of new music. Our cathedral celebrates Nebraska composers, and we're blessed by a wealth of talent in this state. Today, our Cathedral Choir sings an anthem by Omaha composer and organist Michael McCabe. McCabe began his study of piano and organ as a child. As a student at Creighton University, McCabe was appointed university organist and choir director. During a 20 year military career, various assignments provided McCabe with unique opportunities to study with leaders in the field of Anglican church music, including Leo Sowerby, David McK. Williams, Thomas Matthews, and Dale Wood. McCabe has served numerous churches, including Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. As a published composer, McCabe was elected to ASCAP in 1972, and his ASCAP credits include NBC Television, forei
Read more

"Praying Twice" Says Farewell

Image
Trinity Cathedral's Praying Twice blog has ended. Thank you, faithful readers! I am moving to a new position as Associate Professor of Church Music at Virginia Theological Seminary.  I will be writing more in the future, and I'll share a link when my new blog is up and running. Marty Wheeler Burnett, D.Min.
Read more