music

All our senses are incorporated in the liturgical life of the Episcopal Church–through the visual array of altar frontal cloths, banners, candles, crosses, stained glass, and vestments; through burning of incense and the perfume of flowers and evergreens; through the tactile experience of consuming bread and wine, and turning the pages of the prayer book and hymnals; and through the words proclaimed in the sermon and readings, and in the anthems, hymns and instrumentals offered by musicians and choirs.

Music is an integral part of the worship experience in the Episcopal Church, and encompasses a wide diversity of styles and applications, from pipe organs to electronic keyboards, and from choral cantatas to hip hop. At St. Luke’s, our liturgy features hymns and organ accompaniment drawn from several resources including the  church’s primary hymnal, The Hymnal 1982, and Wonder, Love and Praise. Although the parish does not have a formal choir, we do invite choral groups to sing at our services and present separate choral performances occasionally. At special liturgies like Easter and Christmas we may have other musicians to provide accompaniment along with our organist, Sue Raye Hughes. We also alternate with Door County's two other Episcopal congregations in hosting an Advent Lessons and Carols service.

In a typical service, music is employed for the prelude, the opening or processional hymn, the gospel anthem, the offering, the sanctus, the administration of communion, and the closing processional hymn. Other points where music is used include the canticle and psalm during the liturgy of the word, the fraction anthem after the Eucharistic prayer, and a post-communion hymn.  Some liturgical rites are designed specifically around music, namely Evensong and the Festival of Lessons and Carols (during Advent and Christmas).  

Music resources for worship include The Hymnal 1982; Lift Every Voice and Sing II; Wonder, Love and Praise; Enriching our Music (with canticles and settings for Eucharist); Together in Song(Australian hymn book); and the Gather hymnal (published for use in the Roman Catholic Church).