St. Matthews Episcopal Church

Episcopal Church in Snellville, GA

These I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer…for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” Isaiah 56:7

Hymn Highlights: Music For Rogation Days

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)



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Confirmation Service For Three Parishes At St. Matthew’s This Sunday April 18

Congratulations to those being confirmed this Sunday:
Becky Barringer, Jessie Barringer, Caroline Bond, Nadira Desamu-Thorpe, Neema Desamu-Thorpe, Jacob Steven Hurst, and James Chester Piechowiak.
They will be part of a group of 20 individuals from St. Matthew’s, St. Michael & All Angels parish in Stone Mountain and St. Patrick’s, Dunwoody, who will be confirmed by The Right Reverend Robert C. Wright this Sunday at 2:00 p.m. here at St. Matthew’s. Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions on large gatherings, the service will be open to immediate family members by invitation only. **  Please keep our confirmands in your prayers as they take this step along their faith journey.
**You can watch the service livestreamed at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 18 at

 



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Musical Meditation For Holy Week

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



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Holy Week and Easter At St. Matthew’s

Palm Sunday – March 28th:
8:00 a.m. Zoom (see your newsletter, The Messenger, for Zoom info.)
Drive-Thru Communion after the 8 am service for 30 minutes.

10:45 a.m. – Outside In-person and live streamed with communion.
Please register on Realm.

4:00 p.m. Garden Eucharist on the lawn to the left of the church. Casual, informal, no technology.
Please Register on Realm.

Maundy Thursday – April 1st: 7:00 p.m. Live-Stream Service from Sanctuary. Hand-washing (no foot-washing due to Covid restrictions), stripping of the altar, no Holy Communion.
Maundy Thursday Watch — In Person or At Home  from 9:00 p.m. Thurs – Friday 10:00 a.m.
Please register here  (via SignUp Genius) for either In-person or At-home prayer time slots so that someone is praying throughout the night.

Good Friday – April 2nd. 
12:00 p.m. Live-Streamed Service from the sanctuary. No Holy Communion.

Easter Sunday – April 4th: Two Services–
6:45 a.m. Sunrise Eucharist No technology or music at this service.
Please Register on Realm.**

10:45 a.m. – Holy Eucharist Livestreamed From the Sanctuary, Easter music, including hand bells and violin.
Flowering of the Cross at the church steps during Drive Thru Holy Eucharist from 12 noon – 1:00 p.m.

 

**Registration on Realm for all services will open approximately 2-3 weeks ahead of time. Attendance limited to 50 individuals for services, including all service participants, due to Covid restrictions. In case of inclement weather, outdoor attendance will be canceled. For questions regarding attending any service, please contact the church office.

REGISTER ON REALM



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Observing Lent At St. Matthew’s — See What’s New This Year

What if we prepared for everyday like we do for Lent? We get so busy with work, kids, home, committee meetings, exercise that we often forget the important things. COVID-19 has made this even easier by allowing us to become really lax about our spiritual life. When we first began this pandemic journey almost a year ago, we all showed up for the online services but as time has gone by and the pandemic deepened, it has been easy to step back into our isolation.

Lent is a time of preparation and personal reflection for Good Friday and Easter that marks the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have put together several ways that you can refocus yourself and your family this Lent:

Stations of the Cross: An outdoor Stations of the Cross has been set up on the left side of the church for you to come and walk at your leisure.

Sacred Space Pilgrimage: Have you missed being in the sanctuary? Here’s a time to pray and meditate there during Lent: Thursday’s – 10 – 11:30 am and Saturday’s – 2 – 3:30 pm
Individuals and/or families are invited to take a Spiritual Pilgrimage of prayer and meditation to St. Matthew’s Sanctuary. Please registister on Realm due to Covid restrictions.  Spaces limited to 10 individuals at a time, inclusive.

Sunday’s Outside Live In-Person Service @ 4 pm. w/ communion (weather permitting)
Beginning Sunday, February 28th
Bring your own chair and join us for a Casual Outside & In-Person Service in the Garden area, located beside the undercroft. **Weather Permitting. Registration on Realm is required due to Covid restrictions.**

Palm Sunday – March 28th:
8 am Zoom (see your newsletter, The Messenger, for Zoom info.)
Drive-Thru Communion after the 8 am service for 30 minutes.

& 10:45 am – Outside In-person – live streamed with communion.
Registration on Realm is required due to Covid restrictions.**

Maundy Thursday – April 1st: 7 pm Live-Stream Service from Sanctuary
Plans are being made for the Maundy Thursday Watch following the service. Stay tuned for information on registering for this Lenten tradition.

Good Friday – April 2nd:
12 pm Outside Live & In-Person Live-Streamed Service
Registration on Realm is required due to Covid restrictions.**

Easter Sunday – April 4th: Two Services– 6:45 a.m. Sunrise Eucharist
Registration on Realm is required due to Covid restrictions.**
No technology or music at this service

10:45 a.m. – Livestreamed From Inside the Church, Easter music
Drive Thru Holy Eucharist offered for 45 minutes after the 10:45 service.

**Registration on Realm for all services will open approximately 2-3 weeks ahead of time. Attendance limited to 50 individuals for services, including all service participants. In case of inclement weather, outdoor attendance will be canceled. For questions regarding attending any service, please contact the church office.

Register on Realm



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Sunday Worship Services Christmas Day 2020 Through January 3, 2021

On Christmas Day (Dec 25) , 10:00 a.m . we will gather via Zoom from the Coil chapel. Drive-by Communion will be available for 45 minutes after the service at the back entrance to the church.
Zoom link https://zoom.us/j/5572242746
Meeting ID: 557 224 2746

Christmas I (Dec 27) : 10:00 a.m. One service, Holy Communion via Zoom . Drive through Holy Communion from the back church entrance for forty five minutes following the service.
Zoom link https://zoom.us/j/5572242746
Meeting ID: 557 224 2746

Christmas II (Jan. 3, 2021): 10:00 a.m. One service livestream from the sanctuary with music (carols). Drive through Holy Communion from the back of the church for forty five minutes following the service.

2 Services Online 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. with SS and CE resumes Jan 10, 2021



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Morning Prayer And the Canticles

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



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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.

The St. Matthew's campus is in the process of re-opening following the pandemic shutdown.Click here for details