Candlemas

The Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple
February 2, 2020

Today is the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple. As The Book of Occasional Services reminds us:

Forty days ago we celebrated the joyful feast of the incarnation of Jesus. Today we recall the day on which he was presented in the temple, fulfilling the law of Moses. Led by the Spirit, Simeon and Anna came to the temple, recognized the child as the Christ, and proclaimed him with joy. United by the same Spirit, we now enter the house of God, where we shall recognize Christ in the breaking of bread.

Also known as Candlemas ("candle mass"), the liturgy traditionally begins with a procession by candlelight. This procession provides a liturgical reminder of the light of Christ in our midst and our call to carry that light into the world. As part of the Candlemas procession, we will sing a setting of The Song of Simeon (Nunc dimittis): "Lord God, you now have set your servant free." This canticle is found in today's gospel reading, Luke 2:22-40, and in The Book of Common Prayer, page 66 and page 120.

The version of the canticle that we will sing is a metrical paraphrase written by Nebraska hymn poet Rae E. Whitney. It is found in The Hymnal 1982, number 499. During the singing of this canticle, everyone present is invited to light a candle. 

When February 2 falls on a Sunday, the Feast of the Presentation takes precedence over the usual Sunday readings. The last time this happened was 2014, so we are excited to observe the traditional Candlemas Procession on a Sunday this year. If you are not able to be in church this Sunday, light a candle wherever you are. Reflect on the presence of Christ's light that shines within you and how you are called to share it.
Music for the Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple
February 2, 2020

 Hymns
499   Lord God, you now have set your servant free (Song 1)
324   Let all mortal flesh keep silence (Picardy)
7       Christ whose glory fills the skies (Ratisbon)
124   What star is this with beams so bright (stanza 5) (Puer nobis)
517   How lovely is thy dwelling place (Brother James' Air)
657   Love divine, all loves excelling (Hyfrydol)

 Service Music
Psalm 84:1-8     St. Martin’s Psalter, Thomas Pavlechko
Sanctus S-125     Richard Proulx                                                                                              
Memorial Acclamation S-138     McNeil Robinson II
Great Amen S-146     Robinson                                                                       
Fraction Anthem S-154     David Hurd

 Anthems
The Purification     -Rachel Aarons
O Zion, Open Wide Thy Gates     Edmonton

 Organ Voluntaries
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence     -Richard Hillert
Toccata in F Major     -Dietrich Buxtehude








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