World Communion Sunday is celebrated on the first Sunday in October, this year, October 6th. Originally called “World Wide Communion Sunday,” the celebration originated in a Presbyterian Church in 1936. The first Sunday in October was selected to celebrate the Lord’s Supper at the same time in congregations in the United States and overseas. From the beginning, it was planned so that other denominations could make use of it and, after a few years, the idea spread beyond the Presbyterian Church.
The Department of Evangelism of the Federal Council of Churches (a predecessor body of the National Council of Churches) was first associated with World Wide Communion Sunday in 1940, and immediately sought an ecumenical expansion of the concept among all Christian denominations. The observance of World Communion Sunday, in congregations all over the globe, is an ecumenical sign of the Oneness of Christians, regardless of human-made categories or divisions. It is a powerful symbol of unity and connection with the panoply of rich Christian traditions from other cultures.
Liturgy and music from Celtic cultures will provide a “world” theme to our 2 morning services. The local Celtic band, Beyond the Pale,
www.beyond-the-pale.com will play before, during and at the conclusion of our 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. worship services. Their instrumental prelude will begin 10 minutes prior to each service. Their appearance has been underwritten by Dr. Catherine Colquitt, MD, in memory of her parents, Landon A. Colquitt, PhD, and Betsy Ruth Feagan Colquitt.
Well-known in local music venues, Beyond the Pale is a high-energy quartet performing Celtic/Americana/Roots music. The group has been performing at festivals and concert venues since 2001 and delivers a wild ride with stunning harmonies and dazzling instrumental flare. Performing on a variety of instruments and vocal styles, this band spins out a wide repertoire of music from the Celtic tradition. Instruments played include fiddle, flute, hammered dulcimer, accordion, guitar, mandolins, bodhran, whistle, concertina and saxophone. Beyond the Pale has recorded 6 CDs, some of which will be for sale after the service. The players are Gordon and Christy McLeod; Betsy Cummings; and John Delaney.
1. The prelude includes music from the Shetland Islands (Scotland), Brittany (France) and the contemporary Swedish folk musician, Roger Tallroth.
2. The processional hymn is a rousing Irish tune with a text by St. Patrick of Ireland (AD 372-466). It is part of a much larger poem, known as a lorica, (literally, ‘body armor’) and appropriately named “St. Patrick’s Breastplate.” Both text and tune are representative of the reality of lives fraught with danger: from the elements; from other people; from the mystic unknown. Celtic Christianity is often referred to as a virile Christianity. The Celts were more at home in the wind, rain, and fury of nature and the literature, music and folk traditions reflect that trait. Both the text AND the music tell a story of faith as solid as the basalt hills.
3. The Gradual is an upbeat setting of the Scottish tune, LANDSDOWNE with a contemporary text from the Iona Community, “Shout for Joy.”
4. The Sermon hymn is the well-known Gaelic tune, “Morning Has Broken,” which many think was written by Cat
Stevens – not quite; he recorded it in the late 60s and made it famous but it is a much older folk melody. The
name of the tune, BUNESSAN, just happens to be the name of the last village through which you must travel
on the way to the final embarkation point for Iona.
5. The Sanctuary Choir anthem, “Christ Is the World’s Redeemer” is a martial setting of an Irish melody, arranged by John Vine. Both text and music offer a picture into the grandeur of the Celtic people and their limitless vision of the greatness of God.
6. During the reception of communion, Beyond the Pale will play a variety of music representing many different Celtic societies.
7. “O Sing a Song of Bethlehem” is a hymn based on a well-known English folksong and will be sung in both services. It is set to a tune named, “KINGSFOLD.” Once again, the tune embodies all the strength and valor of a typical Celtic tune and text.
8. Beyond the Pale will play the postlude to each service.
9. Our own, Jack Thielman, will play bag pipes outside following each service.
Make plans to worship with us and celebrate our denomination’s Celtic heritage.
. . . Mark Scott, October 2013