Voices Found

Voices Found #39 Eternity touched hands with time when Mary said "G od's will be done," and commonplace became sublime when that young woman bore a son. The angel's shared in earth's delight, a star became the magi's sign, and shepherds met, on Christmas night, a child, both human and divine. Time can  still touch eternity, when we reach out to God in prayer; rejoice that Christ will ever be reborn in hearts that want him there! Words: Rae E. Whitney (1927-2023) Music: Conditor alme siderum, plainsong, Mode 4                                                                            An image from a  Sarum plainsong manuscript An ancient chant from  seventh century,   Conditor alme siderum, is a Sarum hymn sung at Vespers during Advent.  Sarum plainsong evolved in Salisbury, E...

Voices Found #64 Joseph in your darkest night, angel message hearing, you cast not your love aside, scorn and anger fearing. When a loved one brings us grief, rips our world asunder, dreamer, may we have your heart, open to God's wonder. Words: Carol Goodwin King Music:  Tempus adest floridum, Piae Cantiones, 158 Dear Joseph,   How I miss you, my love!  I am safe at Zechariah's house after my  journey through the hills.   Elizabeth needs me here to help  prepare for their baby, especially with Zach unable to speak.  I do some of the cooking and together we spin and weave, making simple swaddling clothes for miraculous births.  I was thrilled to see Elizabeth with child and to feel her baby leap in the womb.   I sang to them.  My little  one was active in me, too; I think the boys they greeted each other.  We are having a wonderful time  together. However, I look forward to coming home to you. We have a lot to do. ...

Miserere  miseris Voices Found #8 Miserere miseris fons misericordie Si misera furets parit aula glorie, honor nostri generis, archa novi federi et aurora gracie: certe si volueris, o benigna potessi dare locum venie. Have mercy on those who suffer, Fount of Mercy. You were merciful enough to bear the Prince of Glory; honor our race, ark of the new covenant, dawn of grace: surely if you wish, O kind Lady, you can grant us peace and pardon. Words: Latin 13th C; tran. and tr. Susan Hellauer Music: Dublin Troper, Irish, ca. 1390 Dear Mary, Zechariah cannot speak.  I don't think he can hear well, either.  He had a vision from a Messenger named Gabriel, who said our prayers for a child have been answered! Gabriel told him we would have a son and we should name him John; he would be a holy son  filled with the Spirit even  in my womb.  Zech could not believe it and he raised some questions.  Apparently questioning an angel was a bad idea. ...

Voices Found # 3 Verbum bonum Verbum bonum et suave personemus, illud Ave, Per quod Christi fit conclave virgo, mater, filia; Per quod Ave salutata mox concepit fecundata virgo, David                  stirpenata, i nter spinas lilia. Ave, veri Salomonis mater, vellus Gedeonis,  cuius magi tribus donis, l audant puerperium. Ave, solem genuisti, ave, prolem protulisit, mundo lapso                       contulisit, vi tam et imperium. Ave, sponsa Verbi summi, maris portus, signum dummi,  Aromatum virga fumi, angelorum domina; Supplicamus, nos emenda, emendatos nos commenda tuo nato ad habenda simpiterna gaudia. Amen Let us sound out the word pure and sweet, That Ave, through which the virgin, a mother’s daughter, Became the Chamber of Christ; Through that Ave  fruitful    she conceived,   a virgin born of David's lineage,  a...

                                                                           Voices Found# 16 With Miriam we will dance  and celebrate the day when sullen seas were  swept apart to show the way the dancers lend us grace  to turn from seas of fear towards the unknown wilderness  for God is there. Words: Janet Wooten Music: Leoni , Hebrew melody, harm. Hymns Ancient and Modern Forty-six hymns! Voices Found celebrates   our foremothers :  Sarah, Jocheved, Miriam, Deborah, and Hannah in the Hebrew Scriptures; Mary, Elizabeth,  Mary Magdalene,  Joanna, Susannah, and Phoebe in the Christian Scriptures; also the persistent widow and other brave souls with no name.   Like the  lectionary, the Episcopal Hymnal1982 reflects a masculine bias.  It excludes o...

  Be still and know that I am God Psalm 46:10  tr. Gafney   Voices Found #92 (Music by Ana Hernandez) Advent I C Zechariah 8:1-13, Psalm 46, 1John 4:13-21, and Luke 1:5-19 are appointed in the Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church . And it will be that just as you have been cursing among yourselves, the house of Judah and the house of Israel, so it will be that when I save you all, you shall be a blessing.   Fear not ; strengthen your hands. Zechariah 8:13, tr. Gafney There is no fear in love, rather perfect love casts out fear, for fear relates to punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love.  We love because God first loved us.  1 John:18-19, tr. Gafney Love astounding, love confounding  limits fearful minds impose. Love renewing, love pursuing  every heart until it knows love's transforming, healing goodness,  love's abiding gentle grace, love's endurance, love's assurance,  love's consoling strong e...

Emmanuel!  Voices Found #46 Emmanuel! The angel's ancient chorus today unfolds before us, the final triumph starts. Emmanuel! within that name a treasure, announcing God's good pleasure to dwell within our hearts. Words and Music: Betsey Mulloy   The   Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church  appoints Psalm 47 and Hebrews 1:1-9  to end the liturgical year, celebrating  The Majesty of Christ.   (closest to November 23).   Psalm 47 All you people clap your hands; shout to God with a joyful sound. For the Sovereign God, the Most High, is awesome, a great governor over all the earth. She subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet. She chose our heritage for us, the pride of Rebekah's womb whom she loves. God has gone up with.a shout, Sinai's Fire with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our Sovereign, sing praises. For God is Sovereign over all the earth; sing praises with a psalm. God is ruler over the...