This Sunday, May 31, is the Feast of Pentecost. It’s the time we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and wonder what she’s up to today in our world and in our lives. Click the button below for more about Pentecost and suggested ways to celebrate at home.
The Heart of Things, a weekly online Zoom class for practicing prayer in times of pandemic, will meet on Tuesdays at 10:00 AM beginning June 2. These pandemic days of heightened anxiety and confusion-even anger and fear-call for a more intentional practice of our faith. How can we think theologically and respond prayerfully to the pressures we face as a spiritual community-even as the global community? How can we lean in, as it were, to the heart of the matter, to the core of things, so we can truly experience that “peace that passes all understanding?”
This week’s list for Pentecost is a little more straight forward…lots of music about the Spirit! The first three choral pieces and the hymns on this list were sung at Grace in the past year or so and should be familiar to many. I’ve included four different settings of the “Veni, Sancte Spiritus,” or “Come, Holy Ghost,” text…it’s another one of those texts that has stirred up the imaginations of composers for hundreds of years! The “Dona nobis pacem” (“Grant us Peace”) choral movement from Bach’s Mass in B Minor is a great reflection on our Gospel reading from John, “Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you…”. The playlist closes with a dramatic piece by English composer Edward Elgar – “The Spirit of the Lord” is probably the best known choral setting of this text. It is a movement from his oratorio The Apostles, a narrative choral work depicting the calling of the apostles and their reactions to Jesus’ teaching, crucifixion and ascension. Enjoy!
Will Gotmer
Director of Music/Organist
Vacation Bible School will not be held June 22-26 as originally planned. An alternative opportunity is being considered for July or August so watch for an announcement later this summer!
This post highlights some events and news pertinent to the upcoming week.