The Rt. Rev. Eugene T. Sutton
Presider
James Denvil and Deborah Hazlett
Readers
The Chautauqua Choir
Joshua Stafford
Director & Organist
Owen Reyda and Laura Smith
Organists
We invite you to quietly prepare your hearts for worship during the Prelude.
* Denotes that the congregation is invited to rise in body or spirit.It is our custom to sing the first and last verses of hymns in unison, the interior verses may be sung in parts.
Hymn
“Day is dying in the west”
Chautauqua, William Fisk Sherwin, 1877
Mary Lathbury, 1877
Day is dying in the west;
Heav’n is touching earth with rest;
Wait and worship while the night
Sets her evening lamps alight
through all the sky.
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts!
Heav’n and earth are full of Thee;
Heav’en and earth are praising Thee,
O Lord most high!
Call to Worship
Alleluia! Praise God in the holy temple;
praise God in the firmament of power.
Praise God for every mighty act;
praise God’s excellent greatness.
Praise God with the blast of the ram’s-horn;
praise God with lyre and harp.
Praise God with timbrel and dance;
praise God with strings and pipe.
Praise God with resounding cymbals;
praise God with loud-clanging cymbals.
Let everything that has breath
praise God. Alleluia!
Hymn-Anthem
"Too splendid for speech, but ripe for a song"
Frederick Swann, 2000
Thomas H. Troeger, 1986
Too splendid for speech, but ripe for a song:
the wonders of God to whom we belong!
What tune can we sing? What rich chords can we play
to honor the potter who made us from clay.
We’ll catch the soft sounds that sift from the breeze.
We’ll hum with the whales that hum in the seas.
The waters that tickle the earth into spring
will teach us the lilting new life we should sing.
The earth is God’s flute, God’s cello and chime.
The wind draws the notes. The seasons keep time.
At dusk and at night, from the sunrise past noon,
God’s playing and singing a ravishing tune.
The swell of earth’s praise shall build to a blast
of trumpets and drums when God comes at last
to hear if our lives, like the heavens above,
are filled with the music of justice and love.
The congregation joins in singing the final verse of the anthem:
Alert to your notes that dance in the heart
we promise, O God, that we’ll do our part
and pray that the song which your song shall inspire
will lead every nation to join in your choir.
Advent
Reading
Isaiah 11:1–10
A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
or decide by what his ears hear;
but with righteousness he shall judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist,
and faithfulness the belt around his loins.
The wolf shall live with the lamb,
the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze,
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain;
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
On that day the root of Jesse shall stand as a signal to the peoples; the nations shall inquire of him, and his dwelling shall be glorious.
Hymn
"Comfort, comfort ye my people"
Psalm 42, Genevan Psalter, 1551
Johannes Olearius, 1671; trans. C. Winkworth
1 Comfort, comfort ye my people,
speak ye peace, thus saith our God;
comfort those who sit in darkness
mourning ’neath their sorrows’ load.
Speak ye to Jerusalem
of the peace that waits for them;
tell her that her sins I cover,
and her warfare now is over.
2 Hark, the voice of one that crieth
in the desert far and near,
calling us to new repentance
since the kingdom now is here.
Oh, that warning cry obey!
Now prepare for God a way;
let the valleys rise to meet him
and the hills bow down to greet him.
3 Make ye straight what long was crooked,
make the rougher places plain;
let your hearts be true and humble,
as befits his holy reign.
For the glory of the Lord
now o’er earth is shed abroad;
and all flesh shall see the token
that the word is never broken.
Nativity
Reading
Luke 2:8–16
Now in that same region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child lying in the manger
Anthem
"The Magi's Dream"
James Whitbourn, 2011
Robert Tear, 2011
Night has come to Bethlehem,
the family is asleep.
Exhausted by the wonders seen,
the news outrageous, deep.
‘That I may come and worship him.’
Ox and ass have closed their eyes,
their ears now hear no sound.
Shepherds have gone
back to their flocks,
the mouse still noses around.
‘That I may come and worship him.’
Kings have left for their distant lands,
fractious camels moan.
At a desert spring they make
their farewells.
‘It’s a mighty way to home!’
‘That I may come and worship him.’
Later that night their heads are filled
with a dream-drenched holy ray.
‘Do not return to Herod the king,
Go back another way.’
‘That I may come and worship him.’
And so our Christ is saved from death
His mission to complete
To change the world by selfless love
Satan’s legions to beat.
Epiphany
Reading
Luke 9:28–16
Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”— not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
Hymn
"Sing of God made manifest"
Salzburg, Jean Sibelius, 1899
Jakob Hintze, 1678
1 Sing of God made manifest
in a child robust and blest,
to whose home in Bethlehem
where a star had guided them,
magi came and gifts unbound,
signs mysterious and profound:
myrrh and frankincense and gold
grave and God and king foretold.
2 Sing of God made manifest
when at Jordan John confessed,
“I should be baptized by you,
but your bidding I will do.”
Then from heaven a double sign—
dove-like Spirit, voice divine—
hailed the true Anointed One:
“This is my beloved Son.”
3 Sing of God made manifest
when Christ came as wedding guest
and at Cana gave a sign,
turning water into wine;
further still was love revealed
as he taught, forgave, and healed,
bringing light and life to all
who would listen to God’s call.
4 Sing of God made manifest
on the cloud-capped mountain’s crest,
where the law and prophets waned
so that Christ alone remained:
glimpse of glory, pledge of grace,
given as Jesus set his face
towards the waiting cross and grave,
sign of hope that God would save.
Lent
Reading
Isaiah 58:6–9
Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you;
the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
you shall cry for help, and he will say, “Here I am.”
Hymn
"Just as I am"
Woodworth, William Batchelder Bradbury, 1849
Charlotte Elliott, 1834, alt.
1 Just as I am, without one plea
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou biddest me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come; I come!
2 Just as I am, though tossed about
with many_a conflict, many_a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come; I come!
3 Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come; I come!
4 Just as I am, thy love unknown
has broken every barrier down;
now to be thine, yea, thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come; I come!
Passion
Reading
Philippians 2:5–11
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death —
even death on a cross.
Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Anthem
"God so loved the world"
John Stainer, 1887
John 3:16–17
God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whoso believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world;
but that the world through him might be saved.
Easter
Reading
Luke 24:1–12
On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.
Hymn
"I come to the garden alone"
Woodworth, William Batchelder Bradbury, 1849
Charlotte Elliott, 1834, alt.
1 I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain:
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
2 He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing;
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing. [Refrain]
3 I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling;
But He bids me go through the voice of woe,
His voice to me is calling. [Refrain]
Ascension
Reading
Luke 24:44–53
Jesus said to his disciples, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you — that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.
Hymn
All hail the power of Jesus' name"
Coronation, Oliver Holden, 1793
Edward Perronet, 1779; John Rippon, 1787
1 All hail the power of Jesus' name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all!
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all!
2 Ye chosen seed of Israel's race,
ye ransomed from the fall,
hail him who saves you by his grace,
and crown him Lord of all!
Hail him who saves you by his grace,
and crown him Lord of all!
3 Let every kindred, every tribe
on this terrestrial ball
to him all majesty ascribe,
and crown him Lord of all!
To him all majesty ascribe,
and crown him Lord of all!
4 O that with yonder sacred throng
we at his feet may fall!
We'll join the everlasting song,
and crown him Lord of all!
We'll join the everlasting song,
and crown him Lord of all!
Pentecost
Reading
Acts 2:1–4
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Anthem
"O thou who camest from above"
Philip Stopford, 2013
Charles Wesley, 1762
O thou who camest from above
the pure celestial fire to impart,
kindle the flame of sacred love
on the mean altar of my heart.
There let it for thy glory burn
with inextinguishable blaze,
and trembling to its source return
in humble prayer and fervent praise.
Jesus, confirm my hearts desire
to work and speak and think for thee;
still let me guard the holy fire,
and still stir up thy gift in me.
Still let me prove thy perfect will,
my acts of faith and love repeat;
till death thy endless mercies seal,
and make the sacrifice complete.
Concluding Prayers
Hymn
"Now the day is over"
Merrial, Joseph Barnaby, 1868
Sabine Barind-Gould, 1865
Now the day is over, night is drawing nigh,
shadows of the evening steal across the sky.
Jesus, give the weary calm and sweet repose
with thy tend’rest blessing may our eyelids close.
When the morning wakens, then may I arise
pure, and fresh, and sinless in thy holy eyes. Amen.
Postlude
Largo
George Frederick Handel, 1738
from the opera Xerxes
Use of this piece to close the Sunday evening service has been Chautauqua’s tradition since the dedication of the Massey Memorial Organ on August 6, 1907.Part of the custom has been to remain in our seats until the piece is finished.It is a gesture that we treasure, and one in which you are invited to join.We invite you to leave the Amphitheater silently — without applause.
JOIN THE MOTET CHOIR
The Motet Choir, which leads our weekday worship services, comprises experienced auditioned singers who rehearse and perform a variety of works from the rich heritage of sacred choral music of the past and a diversity of styles from the present. Singers must have a background of choral singing experience with excellent vocal quality and sight-reading ability. Members of the Motet Choir are compensated in the form of a gate pass for the weeks that they sing in the choir. Interested singers should email choir@chq.org or call the choir library at 716-357-6321 to schedule an audition for the 2026 summer season.
JOIN THE CHAUTAUQUA CHOIR
Thu 6:15 p.m. Rehearsal at Fletcher Hall
Fri 6:15 p.m. Rehearsal at Lenna Hall
Sat 6:15 p.m. Rehearsal at Fletcher Hall
We invite you to join us and sing with the Chautauqua Choir this season. This group is open to anyone who has experience singing in choirs and the ability to read music, and requires members attend at least one out of three weekly rehearsals, though two or more rehearsals are preferred. Our preference is for members to sing both Sunday Morning and Sunday Evening services, though it is possible to sing only one or the other. Questions can be directed to choir@chq.org or by calling the choir library at 716-357-6321. Click here to register ahead of rehearsals.
WEDNESDAY ORGAN CONCERT AT 12:15 P.M.
Amphitheater, Joshua, organist
CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION
Department of Religion
Melissa Spas
Vice President of Religion
The Rt. Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton
Senior Pastor
Joshua Stafford
Director of Sacred Music & The Jared Jacobsen Chair Organist
Owen Reyda
Organ Scholar
Laura Smith
Organ Scholar
Carolyn Snider
Administrative Assistant
Annie Leech
Coordinator of Religious Education
Alicen Roberts
Student Minister