Bach Cantata Vespers 2009-2010

Grace Lutheran Church's Bach Cantata Series presents the cantatas of J. S. Bach within the context of congregational worship, the setting in which they were originally performed. Other music in the service, the hymn-singing, and preaching are tied into the themes of the cantata. There is a free-will offering during the service.

The instrumental prelude begins at 3:45.

    September 27    Cantata 50      Nun ist das Heil und die Kraft
            (Now is the salvation and the power)
            Motet: Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden (Praise the Lord, All Nations), BWV 230
            Homilist: Kurt K. Hendel, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
            Organ prelude: Michael D. Costello, Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest, Illinois

    October 25    Cantata 79      Gott der Herr ist Sonn und Schild
            (God the Lord is sun and shield)
            Homilist: Ralph W. Klein, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
            Prelude: A. Corelli, Concerto Grosso, Op. 6, No. 10

    November 22    Cantata 61      Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland
            (Savior of the nations, come)
            Homilist: Kelly K. Faulstich, Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest, Illinois
            Prelude: Mark Brewer, harp; Jason Deroche, classical guitar

    January 31    Cantata 123      Liebster Immanuel, Herzog der Frommen
            (Dearest Immanuel, ruler of the righteous)
            Homilist: Martin A. Seltz, Augsburg Fortress Publishing, Minneapolis
            Guest Choir: Kapelle, Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Illinois
            Organ prelude: Steven Wente, Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Illinois

    February 28    Cantata 54      Widerstehe doch der Sünde
            (Stand firm against sin)
            Soloist: Steven Rickards, Countertenor
            Homilist: Frederick A. Niedner, Valparaiso University
            Prelude: J. S. Bach, Concerto for Harpsichord, Flute, and Violin in A minor, BWV 1044
           
    March 21    Cantata 1      Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern
            (How lovely shines the morning star)
            Homilist: Karen Salvo Hawkins, Christ the King Lutheran Church, Columbia, South Carolina
            Extended thirty-minute prelude beginning at 3:30 p.m., in celebration of Bach's birthday
            Prelude: Brandenburg Concerto #1, BWV 1046
            Organ prelude: Robert D. Hawkins, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, Columbia, South Carolina
                       
    April 25    Cantata 4      Christ lag in Todesbanden
            (Christ lay in death’s strong bands)
            Homilist: Mark Hanson, Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
            Organ prelude: Laura Zimmer, Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest, Illinois
           
    May 23    Cantata 172      Erschallet, ihr Lieder, erklinget, ihr Saiten!
            (Ring forth, you songs, resound, you strings!)
            Homilist: Benjamin Stewart, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
            Prelude: J. M. Molter, Sonata Grossa for 3 Trumpets, 2 Oboes, Timpani, Strings, and Continuo