St. Matthews Episcopal Church

Episcopal Church in Snellville, GA

 “Open for me the gates of righteousness; *
I will enter them; I will offer thanks to the Lord..” Psalm 119:19
  • Home
  • About
    • Location & Worship Information
    • Clergy & Staff
    • 2022 Officers and Vestry
    • Parish Information
    • Parish Profile
  • Ministries
    • Children’s Ministries
      • Acolyte Ministry
      • Nursery Care
      • St. Matthews Preschool
      • Sunny’s Kids Sunday School
      • Vacation Bible School
    • Youth
    • Christian Education
    • Fellowship & Parish Life
    • Outreach
    • Liturgical Ministries
    • Stewardship
    • Centering Prayer
    • Other Ministries
  • Resources
    • Realm / Members Connect — Parish Directory
    • Parish Services
    • Inreach
    • Community Outreach Resources
    • Episcopal Church Resources
    • Annual Parish Reports for Last Year (2020)
    • Forms and Documents
  • News
  • Contact

Hymn Highlights: Music For Rogation Days

May 6, 2021

Our opening hymn this coming Sunday (5/8/2021) is hymn #292, “O Jesus, crowned with all renown”, a hymn for Rogation Days by Archbishop of Canterbury Edward White Benson (1829-1896). Archbishop Benson is perhaps best remembered as the creator of Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in 1880 when he was Bishop of Truro. Hymn 292 was written in 1860 whilst he was headmaster of Wellington College. This hymn first appeared in The Hymnal 1916.

Traditionally, the three days before Ascension Day are observed as Rogation Days. The Sunday before the Ascension, the Sixth Sunday of Easter, is traditionally known as Rogation Sunday. These are days of prayer to ask God’s blessing on crops, for an abundant harvest, and protection from natural disasters. Traditionally the parish vicar, wardens, choir boys, and others would process around boundaries of the parish, carrying long sticks, while occasionally stopping to recite or chant Psalms or the Litany of Saints. This procession around the geographical area of the parish was known as “beating the bounds”. Rogation days were also a time for people of the parish to settle disputes and disagreements to come together as a community. See the following link for more information on the history of Rogation Days: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eLmFv-ilXA  

In The Hymnal 1982, hymn #292 is paired with the tune Kingsfold. Kingsfold was originally an English folksong that Ralph Vaughan Williams arranged for The English Hymnal, 1906 where it was paired with the text “I heard the voice of Jesus say”. Vaughan Williams first heard the tune in the village of Kingsfold in northwest Sussex where the text was about “Dives and Lazarus”. The tune was used by Vaughan Williams in Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus for string orchestra and harp which you can listen to here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQoP9iLwoos

O Jesus, crowned with all renown

1. O Jesus, crowned with all renown,
since thou, the earth hast trod,
thou reignest and by thee come down
henceforth the gifts of God.
Thine is the health and thine the wealth
that in our halls abound,
and thine the beauty and the joy
with which the years are crowned.

2.Lord, in their change, let frost and heat,
and winds and dews be given;
all fostering power, all influence sweet,
breathe from the bounteous heaven.
Attemper fair and gentle air
the sunshine and the rain,
that kindly earth with timely birth
may yield her fruits again:

3.That we may feed the poor aright,
and, gathering round thy throne,
here, in the holy angel’s sight,
repay thee of thine own:
That we may praise thee all our days,
and with the Father’s Name,
and with the Holy Spirit’s gifts,
the Savior’s love proclaim.

Edward White Benson (1829-1896)



Share this on your social network:

Filed Under: Music, Spotlight on Ministry, Worship

Musical Meditation For Holy Week

March 24, 2021

by Kyle Osborne, St. Matthew’s Director of Music

Music for Holy Week

As we approach Holy Week, I wanted to share some music for meditation that may not be familiar but that I feel should be more well known.

The first piece I would share is “O Mensch, bewein’ dein’ Sünde groß” BWV 622 from the Orgelbuchlein (Little Organ Book) by J.S. Bach (1685-1750). This piece is an organ setting of the Lutheran Chorale by German theologian and hymn writer Sebald Heyden (1499-1561). O Mensch, bewein’ dein’ Sünde groß” is a Passiontide Hymn based on the Four Gospels and was originally 23 stanzas. Bach choose to set the first stanza as an ornamented chorale. Bach vividly depicts the chorale text with appoggiaturas, sighs, and striking chromaticism. The text and listening link are below.

O Mensch, bewein’ dein’ Sünde groß,
darum Christus sein’s Vaters Schoß
äußert und kam auf Erden.
Von einer Jungfrau zart und rein
für uns er hier geboren ward,
er wollt’ der Mittler werden.

O man, thy grievous sin bemoan,
For which Christ left His Father’s throne,
From highest heaven descending.
Of Virgin pure and undefiled
He here was born, our Saviour mild,
For sin to make atonement.

https://soundcloud.com/user80906043/bach-o-mensch-bewein

“Crucifixion” from Symphonie Passion by Marcel Dupre (1886–1971) is a programmatic organ work that was originally improvised during a recital on the Wanamaker Organ in Philadelphia. In this work you can hear Jesus walking to Calvary, falling along the way, the hammering, the anguish, and torment of being nailed to the cross, crying out to God before he breathes his last, his body being lowered and laid in his mother’s lap. Dupre ends quietly, in peaceful sorrow with the Stabat Mater chant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s_N9e32bcw&t=43s

Last year we recorded Stations of the Cross with organ interludes French organist and composer Cesar Franck (1822–1890). The results were very moving, and I would like to share them with you again this year. Here is the link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIq9KiYmTlc&t=16s

I hope these works will enhance your Holy Week meditations.

Kyle Osborne
Director of Music



Share this on your social network:

Filed Under: Lent, Music, Worship

Lessons and Carols Service Online Christmas Eve 3:00 p.m.

December 19, 2020

Christmas Eve
At 3:00 p.m.
Christmas Lessons and Carols
(pre-recorded)
followed by Holy Eucharist
at 4 p.m.
Live-Streamed from the sanctuary
on both our Facebook page and on our Youtube channel. 
Drive-by Communion will be available for 45 minutes after the end of the service at the rear entrance of the church.



Share this on your social network:

Filed Under: Advent & Christmas, Music, Worship

Hymns At Home: Sleepers Wake!

December 5, 2020

This beautiful Advent hymn was written during a horrible plague in the late 1590’s by Philipp Nicolai.
https://youtu.be/EQfZqAhzX54
Kyle Osborne, Organist and Music Director, St. Matt’s



Share this on your social network:

Filed Under: Advent & Christmas, Music, Worship

Hymns At Home — Music For All Saints

October 31, 2020

Hymns At Home — Music For All Saints
Compiled By Kyle Osborne

Listen, singalong,& meditate on music for All Saints’ Day at home, work or with your family. Featuring “For all the Saints”, “I sing a song of the saints of God”, and The Souls of the Righteous.

Click here to go to the YouTube file, and enjoy!.
(sound begins at :38)

 



Share this on your social network:

Filed Under: Music, News, Worship

Morning Prayer And the Canticles

September 10, 2020

Written and compiled by Kyle Osborne, Director of Music at St. Matthew’s

The office of Morning Prayer was created by Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, for the 1549 Book of Common Prayer.  Cranmer combined the offices of Matins (the nighttime vigil), Lauds (which took place at Dawn) and Prime (which took place around 6am) from the Liturgy of the Hours (also known as the Divine Office which marked the hours of each day with prayer) to create Morning Prayer.

Invitatory and Psalter
At the Invitatory, the Venite (Psalm 95) or the Jubilate (Psalm 100) are said or sung. The Venite, a carryover from the office of Matins (Vigil), is an invitation to worship. The Jubilate, which was used as an entrance song in The Temple, is a song of thanksgiving and praise. The Jubilate was also the opening Psalm at Lauds (Dawn Prayer). This coming Sunday we will be singing a setting of the Venite (S-35).

Venite     Psalm 95:1-7
Come, let us sing to the Lord; *
let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *
and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.

For the Lord is a great God, *
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *
and the heights of the hills are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it, *
and his hands have molded the dry land.

Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *
and kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *
Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!

Jubilate      Psalm 100
Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; *
serve the Lord with gladness
and come before his presence with a song.

Know this: The Lord himself is God; *
he himself has made us, and we are his;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise; *
give thanks to him and call upon his Name.

For the Lord is good;
his mercy is everlasting; *
and his faithfulness endures from age to age.

Canticles
After the first and second lesson at Morning Prayer a Canticle is said or sung. A Canticle is a song of praise with a biblical or biblically inspired text. Perhaps the most famous Canticles are the Gloria (Glory to God in the highest) and the Magnificat (Song of Mary). See BCP pages 85-96 for a list of Canticles 8-21. Canticles 1-7, which use traditional language, can be found on BCP pages 47-52. Many different musical settings of the Canticles can be found, including chant, choral, organ, and metrical paraphrase.

We will be using metrical paraphrases for both Canticle 12 – A Song of Creation (Benedicite, omnia opera Domini), and Canticle 21 – You are God (Te Deum laudamus) this coming Sunday.

A Song of Creation is from the Greek Septuagint version of the book of Daniel. This Canticle is often referred to as the Prayer of Azariah and the Song of the Three Young Men (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were the three young men who praised God even after being placed in the fiery furnace during the Babylonia Exile). A Song of Creation was originally used in Christian worship as a canticle at Easter Vigil and Thomas Cranmer suggested its use as an alternative to the Te Deum during Lent.

Our setting for Canticle 12 comes from Wonder, Love, and Praise #885. The metrical paraphrase of the text is by Carl Daw. The music is by Williams Bradley Roberts and was written specifically for the text.

Let all creation bless the Lord,
till heav’n with praise is ringing.
Sun, moon, and stars, peal out a chord,
stir up the angels’ singing.
Sing, wind, and rain! Sing, snow and sleet!
Make music, day, night, cold and heat:
exalt the God who made you.
All living things upon the earth,
green fertile hills and mountains,
sing to the God who gave you birth;
be joyful, springs and fountains.
Lithe waterlife, bright airborne birds,
wild roving beasts, tame flocks and herds:
exalt the God who made you.

O men and women everywhere,
lift up a hymn of glory;
let all who know God’s steadfast care
tell out salvation’s story.
No tongue be silent; sing your part,
you humble souls and meek of heart:
exalt the God who made you.
Carl P. Daw, Jr.

The Te Deum is one of the oldest hymns of praise. Dating from c. 387 the authorship was traditionally ascribed to Saint Ambrose (d. 397) but is now considered to be by an unknown author. Traditionally, the Te Deum was said at the end of Matins on all days that the Gloria was said at Mass.

Our setting for Canticle 21 is #366, verses 1-4, from The Hymnal 1982. The text is attributed to Ignace Franz and translated by Clarence A. Walworth. The music GROSSER GOTT is from Katholisches Gesangbuch, Vienna, c. 1774.

Holy God, we praise your name;
Lord of all, we bow before you;
all on earth your scepter claim,
all in heav’n above adore you.
Infinite your vast domain,
everlasting is your reign.

Hark, the loud celestial hymn
angel choirs above are raising;
cherubim and seraphim
in unceasing chorus praising,
fill the heav’ns with sweet accord:
“Holy, holy, holy Lord.”

Lo! the apostolic train
join your sacred name to hallow;
prophets swell the glad refrain,
and the white robed martyrs follow;
and from morn to set of sun,
through the church the song goes on.

Holy Father, Holy Son,
Holy Spirit, Three we name you;
while in essence only One,
undivided God we claim you,
and adoring bend the knee,
while we sing this mystery.

I encourage you to take time to read, explore, and meditate on the Canticles. Listen to different musical settings and be refreshed.

Blessings,
Kyle Osborne
Director of Music and Organist

Links for listening:
Te Deum in alternatim – The Te Deum sung by the Maîtrise de Notre-Dame-de-Paris led by Cantor Jehan Revert, in alternatim with Pierre Cochereau at the Grand Orgue of Notre-Dame. The choir sings the first half of the verse. The organ, representing the Heavenly Choir of Angels, plays the second half of the verse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohDqL6pjpjY

Te Deum for Solo, Chorus and Orchestra by Marc Antoine Charpentier https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxZQ1ODN1iU

 Coronation Te Deum by William Walton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_lfKdAHgGw

 Jubilate Deo by Benjamin Britten
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_lfKdAHgGw

 Te Deum by Anton Bruckner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgDBhcF8mus

 Magnificat from Collegium Regale by Herbert Howells
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpB9mQHORlg

 Nunc Dimittis in C by Charles Villiers Stanford
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e17kukPiXz8

 Let all Creation bless the Lord – A song of creation by Alice Parker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB6UxsYRwXQ

 Glory to God in the Highest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBWbAmKr5OU



Share this on your social network:

Filed Under: Music, Spotlight on Ministry, Worship

St. Matthew’s Listening Library: Music From Our Choirs

June 18, 2020

A compilation of recordings from our Music Ministry that includes: Handbell Choir; Sanctuary Choir; Hymns; piano and organ music for meditation. Kyle Osborne, Director of Music

Music for Meditation

It is well with my soul with Moonlight Sonata
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROxxBs5ybkE

Meditation on a Folk Song (O Waly, Waly)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2Dce3KjudM

Meditation on Resignation (My Shepherd will supply my needs)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TE7v_Rv2H2Q&t=64s

The peace may be exchanged
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkbSMNXOVD0

Meditation on Veni Creator Spiritus
https://youtu.be/Cla2CDoDkUM

Improvisation on Holy God we praise your Name
https://youtu.be/h43g-a1_9aI

Crucifixion from Symphonie Passion
https://youtu.be/0s_N9e32bcw


Hymns

Morning has broken
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukpZpw6U3zc&t=33s

All Glory, Laud and Honor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QZw2km2z8o&t=2s

My Shepherd will supply my needs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVNPvQT32UA&t=2s

Come my way, my truth, my life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-wTC7-P36s

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0uCnAQaamw&t=77s

All people that on Earth do dwell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BalJEkf0Kw

I bind unto myself today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKrH6m27yN8

Jesus shall reign where’er the Sun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mufRV5VCVys&t=3s

He who would valiant be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dbj5OOltP1w

We know that Christ is raised and dies no more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC3_2mgN3Ic

We walk by faith and not by sight
https://youtu.be/MqgguZqIDgA

Alleluia, Alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord
https://youtu.be/ROTlNIYKNP0

He is risen, He is risen
https://youtu.be/fb0siz4wbDA

Now the green blade riseth
https://youtu.be/Shp7uO6sAnQ

We the Lord’s People
https://youtu.be/0zThai_9IHU

Come Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove
https://youtu.be/ta23_zO6Kcg

Come down O Love divine
https://youtu.be/j2e0HuM1v4s


Sanctuary Choir

Ave verum corpus – Mozart
https://youtu.be/xldgxOH6a0Q

The Souls of the Righteous
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMu0JJOFwLE

The Lord’s my Shepherd (Brother James’ Air)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgWBs_9Na-w&t=3s

Through all the World below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kuqSbiHXk8

The Road Home
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_XEYYJzMEM

There is a Land of pure delight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq1WhEX7xMA

O love that will not let me go
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Cj8GByktLI

Handbell Choir

Simple Gifts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQE_XDobwGs

I sing the mighty power of God
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWP9JjciUxk

Trumpet Sinfonia
https://youtu.be/2kY7EMoLEPM



Share this on your social network:

Filed Under: Music, Spotlight on Ministry, Worship

Musical Musings by Kyle Osborne, Director of Music

March 27, 2020

MUSICAL MUSING

During these trying times I, like many of you, turn to music for solace. I am particularly drawn to hymns and instrumental music. Many of our favorite hymns have been around for hundreds of years. This past week I have been listening to and playing a hymn tune by Thomas Tallis that was written over 459 years ago.

For the full article and some lovely music, click here: musical musings – the third tune.

 



Share this on your social network:

Filed Under: Lent, Music, News, Spotlight on Ministry, Worship

Annual Reports, 2019 Budget and New Vestry Members

January 30, 2019

Click here to check out the end-of-year committee reports and the approved 2019 budget, and meet your newly elected vestry members.

http://www.stmatthewssnellville.org/resources/annual-parish-reports/



Share this on your social network:

Filed Under: Children's Ministry, Christian Education, Global Mission, Ministries, Music, Outreach, Parish Life, Preschool, Spotlight on Ministry, Stephen Ministry, Stewardship, Worship, Youth

Festival of Lessons and Carols — December 15 @ 5:30 p.m.

November 9, 2018

The community of Snellville and Gwinnett County is invited to attend the Festival of Lessons and Carols presented by the music ministry of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church , Snellville, on December 15th at 5:30 p.m.

The Sanctuary Choir, Junior Choir, and Handbell Choirs will present musical selections  of favorite carols, anthems and readings of the season that celebrate the birth of Christ.

The organ prelude, played by Director of Music/Organist Kyle Osborne, will begin at 5:15 p.m.

Please plan to come and celebrate the joyous season with this outstanding musical offering. Invite your friends, family and neighbors! A reception follows the event. Everyone is welcome.



Share this on your social network:

Filed Under: Advent & Christmas, Music, Parish Life

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »

Recent Posts

  • A Word from Mother Pat+: Prayer
  • A Word from Mother Pat+: The Pain of Loss
  • We caught the wave of God’s love at Surf Shack!
  • A Word from Mother Pat+: Live for Today
  • A Word from Mother Pat+: Hear My Cry! The pain of loss.

Categories

  • Advent & Christmas
  • Car Show
  • Children's Ministry
  • Christian Education
  • Easter
  • Global Mission
  • Health and Wellness
  • Lent
  • Ministries
  • Music
  • News
  • Outreach
  • Parish Life
  • Preschool
  • Spotlight on Ministry
  • Stephen Ministry
  • Stewardship
  • Sunday Announcements
  • Worship
  • Youth

At St. Matthew’s, our MISSION is to continue the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, by serving the greater community through loving its children, caring for the unfortunate and witnessing to the healing power of God’s love.

Copyright © 2022 · Log in · St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, 1520 Oak Road, Snellville GA 30078 / Phone: 770-979-4210 / Fax: 770-979-4211