Both liturgy and music are important elements of worship at Good Shepherd.
Liturgy
The Holy Eucharist, Rite
II, is celebrated as the sole Sunday service. The 3rd Sunday of the month, the Laying on of Hands & Prayers for Healing is incorporated into the service.
A said Mass is celebrated on Wednesday evenings at 6 P.M. followed by either a Christian Education program or a parish meeting. For current information please contact the parish admistrator for details.
Eucharist is also celebrated at 12:15 P.M. on Wednesdays and on
major feast days, except in summer.
Much of the Sunday Eucharist is sung, with substantial participation
by the congregation. Members of the congregation also read the lessons,
lead the Prayers of the People and administer the Chalice.
Music
There is a sense that music is indeed something special here – a way of
drawing people nearer to God as well as enhancing the worship of God. The
choir normally consists of a professional trio and up to a dozen volunteer
parish members. In addition to leading the congregation in singing the hymns,
psalms and service music, the choir regularly sings an anthem and a communion
motet. The choral repertoire ranges from Renaissance to 20th-century works.
A volunteer chamber orchestra joins the choir several times each year to
present a classic Mass, cantata or oratorio within the context of the Mass.
Good Shepherd is very proud of its pipe organ, an instrument
built in 1894 by George Jardine & Son, the well-known Manhattan builder
whose instruments graced many of the city’s most prominent churches in the
19th century. The 23-rank instrument, which the parish adopted in 1984 as
part of its celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Diocese of New York,
was rescued from the abandoned St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Hoboken by
a crew of Good Shepherd volunteers which included the rector, the organist
and members of the choir. The two-manual and pedal organ was refurbished
in the Brooklyn shop of Mann & Trupiano, organ builders. Largely through
the efforts of a few volunteer parishioners, working with a master organ
builder, very substantial additions were made to this instrument, which was
dedicated in 1992.
A new set of handbells was donated in the Spring of 2000,
a gift from Hugh Trumbell Adams. They were blessed by Bishop Taylor during
the St. Tikhon celebration on April 6, 2000.
Once again the carillon is calling us to worship and striking
the hour. For some time now the carillon has needed technological updating
and Mr. Hugh Adams has generously provided Good Shepherd with the means to
do just that. The new system has been programmed with over 200 musical
selections that include seasonal changes for the church year. For instance,
during Black History Month we heard various American Spirituals and gospel
tunes. Our updating did not stop with the tower. We also received
a new keyboard that will be situated at the organ console so that the bells
may be included with music for services and not just heard through the tower.
Our neighbors are once again being reminded of our presence in the community
through the generous support of Mr. Adams. We hope that all those who
hear our glorious bells will enjoy and keep us in mind.
