Notes From The Music Staff In December

Music during Advent which begins December 1 this year is a marked departure from music during other times of the church year. You’ll first notice that as in years past, there is now an additional fifteen minutes of music prior to the service to allow worshipers some additional time to pray, reflect, or simply sit in peace while listening to music. Also, our service music changes as well. We do not sing the Gloria (a song of joy and exaltation) during Advent (or Lent, for that matter since both periods are penitential seasons) and in its place after the processional hymn, the Kyrie (Lord, Have Mercy) is sung instead. We still sing the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy Lord) and we add the singing of the Agnus Dei (Jesus, Lamb of God) during communion. For the visually centered among us, you will also notice we have changed from the Pentecost color of green to the Advent color of either violet or blue. St. Luke’s, like many Episcopal and Anglican churches uses what is known as Sarum Blue. Click HERE for Sarum document For those of a more studious or curious bent, here is a link for a great explanation of the origins of the use of Sarum Blue by the Reverend Canon Professor J. Robert Wright. So, all in all during this season, you will experience some different music, music that is softer and more reflective in nature in keeping with the season of Advent. So, come early to services and take the time to just sit, reflect, and take in the sights and sounds dutifully prepared for you by the members of Altar Guild and the musicians of St. Luke’s Church.

Some dates and times to remember this season are the Candlelight Walking Tour, Saturday, December 7. There are two music events that evening for you to enjoy. First is a performance of the Wind and Wood Players featuring local musicians playing seasonal music and Christmas Carols from 6:00 pm-6:45 pm. Then at 7pm until 7:45pm is a return of St. Luke’s Carol Sing-a-long featuring piano and organ music and a lot of carols and holiday favorites to sing as a community. It is always a fun time to greet both friends and strangers alike and seriously, who can resist the opportunity to sing Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer in the beauty of our sanctuary at night?!

Sunday, December 22, there are two services that morning, the 8:00 am Rite I service and a 10:00 am (note the time change) for Rite II which will be a service of Advent Lessons and Carols.

The other times to remember are our Christmas Eve services, Tuesday, December 24. Services are at 4:30 pm where the Choristers will be singing and at 9:00 pm with the Adult Choir. Remember though, music starts 30-minutes before each service to accommodate all our guests so plan on being in your favorite pew by 4:00 pm for the early service or 8:30 pm for the later service.

Finally, December 29 being a 5th-Sunday, there will be one 10:00 am service presided by Father John Kauffman and will also be a service of Lessons and Carols with some of your favorite Christmas carols and hymns.

Stephen Trumbull
St. Luke’s Music Director