Parish Life

John Wesley’s Directives for Congregational Singing

John Wesley (1703–1791), one of the founders of the Methodist movement in the Church of England, issued these directives concerning congregational singing in 1761:

Sing all. See that you join with the congregation as frequently as you can. Let not a slight degree of weakness or weariness hinder you. If it is a cross to you, take it up, and you will find it a blessing.

Evensong

Even the word ‘Evensong’ is evocative. In the words of the Prayer at Eventide, in the Book of Common Prayer, ‘[T]he shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, the busy world is hushed...’ At St. Barnabas, we uphold the beautiful tradition of Anglican Evensong, with the devotional Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, on the third Sunday of most months. Many who attend the prayerful, music-filled service are faithful parishioners, familiar with — and thankful for — the constancy and solemnity of the Evensong service according to the Book of Common Prayer.

Missa Orbis Factor in Lent

by Wesley R. Warren, Organist and Choirmaster

Written anonymously sometime between the 14th and 16th centuries, this mass setting has traditionally been appointed for Sundays in Ordinary Time throughout the year. It was particularly popular in Roman Catholic parishes before the Second Vatican Council, rivalling Missa de angelis. At St. Barnabas, we sing it as a congregational setting during Lent.

Mass Settings at St. Barnabas

by Wesley R. Warren, Organist and Choirmaster

Throughout the liturgical year at St. Barnabas, we alternate three congregational settings of the music for the ordinary of the mass — Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy), Gloria in excelsis (Glory be to God on high), Credo (I believe in one God), Sanctus (Holy, holy, holy), Benedictus (Blessed is He that cometh) and Agnus Dei (O Lamb of God).

The Choir's CD: samples and ordering information

Featuring the parish choir and organist Wesley R. Warren, Exsultate Deo contains music that takes the listener through the liturgical seasons of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Passiontide, Holy Week, Easter, Pentecost, and ‘ordinary time’, as well as feast-days such as All Saints’, and services at different times of the day such as morning Mass and Evensong.