Music and Worship
Immanuel Lutheran Church
San Jose, California

Maintaining Faith despite COVID-19

Easter VII - 24 May 2020 - Ascension Sunday
Listen to an Organ Prelude:
Vater unser im Himmelreich (Our Father in Heaven)
(There are two separate sound files, one for the chorale harmonization and one for the chorale prelude.)
  • Chorale harmonization by J.S. BACH
  • Chorale prelude by J.S. BACH, BWV 683

Sing along with the hymn: Look, the Sight is Glorious
LBW 156 - Tune: Bryn Calfaria
    Look, oh, look, the sight is glorious, See the man of sorrows now;
    From the fight returned victorious, Every knee to him shall bow.
    Crown him! Crown him! Crown him! Crown him! Crown him! Crown him!
    Crowns become the victor's brow. Crowns become the victor's brow.
    Crown the Savior! Angels crown him! Rich the trophies Jesus brings;
    On the seat of power enthrone him While the vault of heaven rings.
    Crown him! Crown him! Crown him! Crown him! Crown him! Crown him!
    Crown the Savior, King of kings. Crown the Savior, King of kings.
    Sinners in derision crowned him, Mocking thus the Savior's claim;
    Saints and angels crowd around him, Own his title, praise his name.
    Crown him! Crown him! Crown him! Crown him! Crown him! Crown him!
    Spread abroad the victor's fame! Spread abroad the victor's fame!
    Hark! Those bursts of acclamation! Hark! Those loud triumphant chords!
    Jesus takes the highest station; Oh, what joy the sight affords!
    Crown him! Crown him! Crown him! Crown him! Crown him! Crown him!
    King of kings and Lord of lords! King of kings and Lord of lords!
Listen to Scripture Readings and a Sermon
The Rev. Dr. D. Frederick Dahl, Pastor

Listen to a Harp Interlude
"Esquisse" (Sketch)
by Henriette RENIÉ
Played on the Lyon & Healy Concert Grand Harp

Sing along with the hymn: A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing!
LBW 157 - Tune: Lasst uns erfreuen
    A hymn of glory let us sing! New hymns throughout the world shall ring:
    Alleluia! Alleluia!
    Christ, by a road before untrod, Ascends unto the throne of God.
    Alleluia! Alleluia!
    Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
    The holy apostolic band Upon the Mount of Olives stand
    Alleluia! Alleluia!
    And with his faithful followers see Their Lord ascend in majesty.
    Alleluia! Alleluia!
    Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
    To whom shining angels cry, "Why stand and gaze upon the sky?"
    Alleluia! Alleluia!
    "This is the Savior!" Thus they say, "This is his glorious triumph day!"
    Alleluia! Alleluia!
    Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
    "You see him now, ascending high Up to the portals of the sky."
    Alleluia! Alleluia!
    "Hereafter Jesus you shall see Returning in great majesty."
    Alleluia! Alleluia!
    Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
    O risen Christ, ascended Lord, All praise to you let earth accord:
    Alleluia! Alleluia!
    You are, while endless ages run, With Father and with Spirit one.
    Alleluia! Alleluia!
    Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Listen to an Organ Postlude: "Transports de joie d'une âme devant la gloire du Christ qui est la sienne" (Outbursts of Joy from a Soul Before the Glory of Christ Which Is Its Own Glory)
. . . by Olivier MESSIAEN
    The organ music of Olivier Messiaen—a Frenchman and one of the major composers of the 20th century—was inspired by his Christian faith and conveys a deep spirituality. "Transports de joie" comes from his suite for the Ascension. He created his own musical language which requires listeners to abandon their intellect and listen from the heart, the soul, and via visceral energetic vibration. Therefore I invite you to turn up the volume, lie down, close your eyes, breathe, and allow these "Outbursts of Joy" to reverberate deep in your soul.
    Overflowing with joy, ecstatic alleluias, the moment of glorious realization. The resurrection and the ascension of Christ are the prelude to our own entrance in heaven. This piece draws on all the brilliant forces of the organ and, toward the end, becomes faster and faster, wild with rapture.

Home: AllegroFuoco
  updated   20 MAY 2020   (B. Swager)