A Contemplative Service
featuring Bach’s Six Suites for Unaccompanied Cello
Grace Church Brooklyn Heights, February 19, 2012
The following is a program from a Lenten series of six contemplative services at which a cellist performed the six Bach Cello Suites for the six weeks of Lent, with the six movements interspersed with a contemplative prayer program.
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Tonight Bach’s Suite No. 1 in G major will be performed by Jennifer DeVore. The movements of the suite will alternate with prayers, brief scriptural readings and a twenty minute period of silence.
Lectio divina is a traditional way of listening to scripture with the ear of the heart, beyond intellectual thought. Lectio divina readings are traditionally read more than once, alternating with periods of silence, to allow them to sink more deeply into the heart. Tonight we will hear two different readers read a single passage, in two different translations. At a certain point, you may find that you are no longer thinking about the passage, but rather resting in it in a contemplative way.
You might think of the music itself as a kind of audio divina, listened to with the ear of the heart. Unlike much of Bach’s other music, the cello suites may not have been written with a religious setting in mind and yet we can hear God speaking to us through them or simply rest in God’s presence as we listen to them.
After the fourth movement of the Suite we will sit in silence for 20 minutes. You are welcome to simply sit quietly or pray or meditate in your own way. If you would like to engage in the practice of centering prayer, a simple method of contemplative prayer in which we rest silently in the presence of God, some guidelines are provided in this program.
Introduction and Welcome
Bach Suite No. 1 in G major 1. Prelude
Reading of Psalm 4 - Adaptation from Stephen Mitchell, A Book of Psalms
Silence
2. Allemande
First Reading
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” And going a little farther, he threw him- self on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
(Matthew 26:36-41, NRSV translation)
Silence
3. Courante
Second Reading
Then Jesus went with them to a garden called Gethsemane and told his disciples, “Stay here while I go over there and pray.” Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he plunged into an agonizing sorrow. Then he said, “This sorrow is crushing my life out. Stay here and keep vigil with me.” Going a little ahead, he fell on his face, praying, “My Father, if there is any way, get me out of this. But please, not what I want. You, what do you want?” When he came back to his disciples, he found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, “Can’t you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert; be in prayer so you don’t wander into temptation without even knowing you’re in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there’s another part that’s as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire.”
(Matthew 26:36-41, The Message translation)
Silence
4. Sarabande
20 Minute period of silence
We will sit in silence for 20 minutes. You are welcome to simply sit quietly or pray or meditate in your own way. If you would like to engage in the practice of centering prayer, a simple method of contemplative prayer in which we rest silently in the presence of God, some guidelines are provided below.
Centering Prayer Guidelines
• Choose a sacred word of one or two syllables as the symbol of your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within you. Examples of a sacred word: Love, Listen, Peace, Mercy, Let Go, Silence, Stillness, Faith, Trust, Holy, Glory, God, Jesus, Abba, Father, Mother, Mary, Amen.
• Sit comfortably with your eyes closed. Silently, to yourself, introduce the sacred word as the symbol of your consent to God’s presence. When you are ready, you can let go of the sacred word and simply rest in God.
• When engaged with your thoughts, return ever-so-gently to the sacred word. Thoughts are a natural part of the process, constantly arising, but when they become a distraction, the sacred word is always available, to help you gently orient yourself gently towards God.
(Matthew 26:36-41, The Message translation)
5. Menuett
Prayer
Lord, it is night. The night is for stillness. Let us be still in the presence of God. It is night after a long day. What has been done has been done; what has not been done has not been done. Let it be. The night is dark. Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives rest in you. The night is quiet. Let the quietness of your peace enfold us, all dear to us, and all who have no peace. The night heralds the dawn. Let us look expectantly to a new day, new joys, new possibilities. In your name we pray. Amen.
6. Gigue
Depart in Silence. Go in Peace.
Read and listen to an article on chanting the Psalms.
View a visio divina followed by Debussy’s Syrinx performed on the flute.