Music for Lent: Rutter Requiem Out of the Deep

Thanks to the Underground Pewster who blogs at Not Another Episcopal Church blog for his post today about Psalm 130, included in today’s Lectionary, and  his mention of the Rutter Requiem.

It’s a wonderful addition to our Music for Lent series.

Underground Pewster has posted one version of Rutter’s requiem, featuring live choir and cello.    I’m partial to the version performed by the Cambridge Singers:

You can purchase the Clare College Cambridge choir’s version of Out of the Deep here.

There is also a wonderful Anglican Chant version of Psalm 130 performed by the Choir of St. John’s College, Cambridge.

Purchase it here, from the album The World of Psalms.

Psalm 130 (King James Version)

Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.

² Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

³ If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

⁴ But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

⁵ I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

⁶ My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

⁷ Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.

⁸ And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

 ***

For those who prefer more contemporary worship music, Sovereign Grace Music has an excellent version of Psalm 130, Out of the Depths, written by Bob Kauflin.  (CCLI Song Number: 5260988)

It’s available for purchase here.

Syrian refugee camp

From the BBC: Clashes between Syrian refugees and Jordanian police in the Zataari refugee camp. More than 2.5 million people have fled Syria since the civil war broke out there in March 2011.

From An Invitation to Prayer:

A Prayer for Refugees

Almighty and merciful God,
whose Son became a refugee
and had no place to call his own;

look with mercy on those who today
are fleeing from danger,
homeless and hungry.

Bless those who work to bring them relief;
inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts;
and guide the nations of the world towards that day
when all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and of peace;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Ebola virus panic

From The Independent: A treatment center came under attack by an angry crowd and was closed.

Our Lord and King,
Only You are God. The people of West Africa have no one to turn to but You. Help them, we pray. Many lives are at stake.
Remember Your children in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Mali, O Lord. Make Yourself known in this time of their afflictions. Give them courage, King of all gods and Ruler over all dominions. Give Your people the right words to say when they face fear; change the hearts of the ungodly to turn to You. Guard and protect the health care workers.
You are our joy. Almighty God, listen to the prayers of Your people. Rescue them and take away their fears. Amen.

Resources for Celebrating Holy Week with Kids

I’m so glad Christine Sine at Godspace pulled together a compilation of Holy Week family activities, as it’s not something I have time to do this year.  GO CHECK IT OUT!

I really like the Easter Story Cookies

***

One family -focused link I did come across recently and bookmarked is this blog entry from 2011:  Celebrating Holy Week with your kids.  Ideas and resources posted there include:

• a Holy Week “Jesse tree” – ideas for ornaments and short devotions (Scripture verses) for each day of Holy Week
• Some books / stories from Focus on the Family
• Some recipes