Our observance of the events in the Upper Room during the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday has been posted online. Audio for the service is available on SoundCloud, and video of the celebration of Holy Communion led by Pastor Michael and Shaun is on our YouTube channel. These links will also be shared on social media.
Several hymns prepared by Sunny & Shaun have been included in this service, and if you would like to sing along, the lyrics -- as well as the scripture passages -- are in a PDF version of the bulletin for you to follow as you listen and watch. We also invite you to have your own bread and cup ready while viewing the communion liturgy so that you may partake of the body and blood of Christ from home when invited to do so. ![]()
Sunny brings us another of her beautiful musical meditations with an improvisation of the tune “His Eye is on the Sparrow” Why should I feel discouraged? why should the shadows come? Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home? When Jesus is my portion? A constant friend is He: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free, His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me.
We begin our Holy Week journey this Palm Sunday in a variety of ways online. Included in the SoundCloud audio file is the usual liturgy of calls to worship & confession, prayers, readings, sermon, and benediction led by Pastor Michael. In addition, a dramatic reading of the Palm Sunday story in the style of a man-on-the-street interview podcast is presented by Shaun Cloonan, Lisa Segedy, and Jim Segedy.
Two musical selections are included as well:
Finally, the Lenten Candle ritual for the 6th Sunday in Lent is posted as a video on our YouTube channel, with Pastor Michael leading the liturgy in the sanctuary, extinguishing the lights leading us on the dark path toward the cross this week. Lyrics to "The Palms" 1 O'er all the way green palms and blossoms gay Are strewn this day in festive preparation, Where Jesus comes, to wipe our tears away, E'en now the throng to welcome Him prepare. Refrain: Join all and sing His name declare, Let ev'ry voice resound with acclamation, Hosanna! Praised be the Lord! Bless Him, who cometh to bring us salvation! 2 His word goes forth, and people by its might Once more their freedom gain from degradation, Humanity doth give to each his right, While those in darkness find restored the light. [Refrain] 3 Sing and rejoice, O blest Jerusalem, Of all thy sons sing the emancipation, Thro’ boundless love, the Christ of Bethlehem Brings faith the hope to thee forevermore. [Refrain] Lyrics to "Hosanna" Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest! Lord we lift up Your name with hearts full of praise Be exalted oh Lord my God! Hosanna in the highest! Glory, Glory, Glory to the King of Kings! Glory, Glory, Glory to the King of Kings! Lord we lift up Your name with hearts full of praise Be exalted oh Lord my God! Glory to the King of Kings! Be exalted oh Lord my God! Hosanna in the highest! Happy Friday to All, The praise song "Holy Ground" has become an incredibly well-known and beloved expression of worship over the past several decades in churches across the country. Written by Geron Davis, it has been performed for the memorial service of President Bill Clinton's mother, recorded by Barbara Streisand, and appears in many hymnals. This recording took place during our worship service on Sunday, February 26, 2017, when I just happened to hit record on my phone before Sunny and I shared the offertory. In her blog, worship leader Judy Jacobs writes about the idea of holy ground as follows: That song is always a reminder of the Scripture where God meets with Moses at the burning bush–but the bush was not consumed. When that happened, God said to Moses, “Do not come any closer. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” As we continue to navigate these uncharted waters of online worship in the time of social distancing, and especially as we approach Holy Week and miss our physical worship space together, I pray that you are able to set aside your own holy ground. Peace, Shaun For your prayer and meditation, here are the lyrics you will hear sung: In His presence There is joy beyond measure And at His feet Peace of mind can still be found And if you have a need I know He has every answer But you've got to reach out and claim it For you are standing on holy ground We are standing on holy ground And I know that there are angels all around Let us praise Jesus now We are standing in His presence On holy ground We usher in the month of April with a beautiful improvisation by Sunny Sakai of the beloved hymn tune “In the Garden.” I come to the garden alone While the dew is still on the roses And the voice I hear, falling on my ear The Son of God discloses And He walks with me And He talks with me And He tells me I am His own And the joy we share as we tarry there None other has ever known He speaks and the sound of His voice Is so sweet the birds hush their singing And the melody that He gave to me Within my heart is ringing And He walks with me And He talks with me And He tells me I am His own And the joy we share as we tarry there None other has ever known I'd stay in the garden with Him 'Tho the night around me be falling But He bids me go; through the voice of woe His voice to me is calling And He walks with me And He talks with me And He tells me I am His own And the joy we share as we tarry there None other has ever known Good Morning on this dreary Monday, After the warm and sunny weather of yesterday, the change to gloom seems to reflect our feelings in response to the announcement of extended closures until April 30. We just got the email from school that we will continue "virtual instruction" until that time with the hopes that we can return to be together after that (I have my doubts and wouldn't be surprised if we don't return the rest of the school year). It's easy to feel out of control. We are people who desire order, routine...especially as Presbyterians! But it is in times like these that we are reminded of who is really in control. We are the clay in the hands of the Master Craftsman and potter. I came across a blog from a different denomination (The Christian Reformed Church in North America) where one of the contributors offers some insight into this idea of God as the potter. If you have a moment, check it out here: https://www.thebanner.org/departments/2017/09/the-potter-s-hand I hope this performance of a favorite song of mine, "The Potter's Hand," provides you some comfort and inspiration as we journey through this 5th week of Lent toward Holy Week together. (And apologies for any mistakes - I don't usually sing solo and play for myself at the same time!) Blessings to you all, Shaun Our service for the 5th Sunday in Lent comes in several ways this week. Pastor Michael leads the spoken worship in the SoundCloud file below, with a brief pause for a verse of the beloved hymn tune FINLANDIA (or "This is My Song") played by Shaun on the Edgewood organ. Below the SoundCloud link you will see the video recorded of Pastor Michael leading our Lenten candle ritual in the sanctuary. Finally, as a musical anthem to complement the sermon, find a YouTube link to the scene from the movie Jesus Christ Superstar as Mary sings "Everything's Alright" while anointing Jesus's feet with oil. Continuing our adventures in online worship, please enjoy this musical medley performed by Sunny Sakai that incorporates the well-known songs "Open Our Eyes, Lord" and "Be Thou My Vision." Enjoy your Friday! Sharing more music with you: The FPCE Sanctuary Choir performs “Servant Song” during worship on October 29, 2017. Will you let me be your servant Let me be as Christ to you Pray that I might have the grace To let you be my servant too We are pilgrims on the journey We are travellers on the road We are here to help each other Walk the mile and bear the load I will hold the Christ light for you In the night time of your fear I will hold my hand out to you Speak the the peace you long to hear. I will weep when you are weeping When you laugh, I'll laugh with you I will share your joy and sorrow Till we've seen this journey through Will you let me be your servant Let me be as Christ to you Pray that I might have the grace To let you be my servant too While at the church recording the Lenten candle liturgies with Michael, I decided to see what shape the organ was in after months of not being used (but mostly just because I find playing it relaxing and have lost many hours unintentionally experimenting with the many sounds that beautiful instrument can make!). I did a quick recording of a favorite, “Seek Ye First,” and made a video to share as a musical offering to the congregation during our period of social distancing. Blessings to you all for the week ahead! - Shaun |
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