On May 17, 2019, musicians from Radford University, Ferrum College, Mill Mountain Theatre and other talented communities of musicians in southwestern Virginia gathered for an experiment in liturgy and music. We’d rehearsed individual pieces on our own in the weeks leading up to that evening, but Friday, a couple hours before A Broadway Eucharist began, was the first time we were all together. At least for me, nerves lifted as I listened to a group of voices sing through “You Will Be Found” from Dear Evan Hansen, the blessing that would fall close to the end of the service. People showed up, curious and supportive, friends and faces we’d never seen, and at 7:30, A Broadway Eucharist began.
St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal in Roanoke hosted the event, which blended songs from the world of musical theatre with the Episcopal liturgy, based in the ancient mass, including texts from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, the New Zealand Prayer Book and Enriching Our Worship, with Prayers of the People written for this service (each petition was read aloud from the congregation by members of the congregation). All were invited, from all faith traditions (and those of no defined faith), to break bread, sing and be together. The message, to my mind, was: We are in this together, and all are welcome and loved.
The idea came about in a rehearsal at Radford University with a student singing “Christmas Lullaby” from the Jason Robert Brown show Songs for a New World, and the realization that the text was, essentially, Mary’s Magnificat. There have been so many variations on the mass in recent years – bluegrass, jazz, beach music and Beyonce masses, heavy metal Eucharists – and I hadn’t yet heard of a Broadway mass. Those of us who love musical theatre know that it is a genre that speaks to the human condition, to the doubts and loves and hopes and heartbreaks and journeys we all experience in different ways and in common. Musical theatre tells the stories we need to hear and that need to be heard.
So we took on a slightly different task with this service – not playing traditional hymns in non-traditional styles (such as bluegrass or jazz), but taking the repertoire of Broadway and finding the intersections between those sung stories and the human life and divine mystery narrated in the Eucharistic liturgy. For the spoken portions of the liturgy, we sought language that was compassionate and inclusive, non-gender-specific and that would not exclude those of non-Christian faiths (and no defined faith).
Of course we borrowed from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Godspell, Jesus Christ Superstar and Sister Act (and, speaking of nuns, from The Sound of Music), but the majority was from shows that aren’t directly about faith, but are about the human experience, about doubt and loss and love and mortality and all the things that we seek to understand and express and live, with an understanding that there is something greater than ourselves that creates us, connects us, inspires us and holds us up.
Below is the text of the service leaflet; the songs listed in the liturgy are linked to various performances, not from the Roanoke project, but from a diversity of settings and voices – as music, and church, are and should be. Together, they comprised much of the liturgy of the word and table, including prelude and processional hymn, Old Testament reading and homily, communion music and dismissal. There is an embedded video of our rehearsal of “Joyful, joyful” at the end of this post (not perfect, but joyful, as music and church are, and should be – we were still working out the kinks, as we do).
Over the course of the evening, there were tears and laughter both, and as people left afterwards, some asked, “can we do this every Sunday?” I hope this will not be a one-off experience, and look forward to doing this again (though maybe not every Sunday!).
Thanks to all our collaborators, in particular Dr. Matthew Cataldi (Radford University and First Baptist Church, Radford), Seth Davis (Mill Mountain Theatre in Roanoke) and Adam McAllister (Ferrum College and Grove United Methodist Church, Radford).
The Reverend Karin MacPhail, rector of St. Elizabeth’s, gave her support, encouragement, creative input and liturgical guidance, and participated as priest and celebrant.
This event is part of a benefit series hosted by St. Elizabeth’s and sponsored by West Piano, Roanoke, and raised money to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Links to our collaborators and sponsor, as well as all the musicians’ names, can be found in the acknowledgements below.
(If you have any questions about the service, would like a PDF copy of the original leaflet, or wish to try something similar in your own church, please reach out to me through this website or at caraemodisett@cox.net.)
A Broadway Eucharist
A Benefit for Broadway Cares • May 17, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, Roanoke, Va.
Prelude
Light of the World (Godspell)
Waving Through A Window (Dear Evan Hansen)
Light (Next to Normal)
Processional Hymn Joyful, Joyful, we adore thee (…in the spirit of Sister Act)
(all sing)
Joyful, joyful, we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
hearts unfold like flowers before thee,
praising thee, their sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
drive the dark of doubt away;
giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day.
All thy works with joy surround thee,
earth and heaven reflect thy rays,
stars and angels sing around thee,
center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
blooming meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird and flowing fountain,
call us to rejoice in thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving,
ever blessing, ever blest,
well-spring of the joy of living,
ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,
all who live in love are thine;
teach us how to love each other,
lift us to the joy divine.
Celebrant Blessed are you, holy and living One.
People You come to your people and set them free.
Celebrant Let us pray.
God of unchangeable power, when you fashioned the world the morning stars sang together and the host of heaven shouted for joy; open our eyes to the wonders of creation and teach us to use all things for good, to the honor of your glorious name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(source: A New Zealand Prayer Book, p. 569)
Song of Praise Bless the Lord (Godspell)
Old Testament Reading Any Dream Will Do
(Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat)
Psalm 147:1-18
(spoken responsively by whole verse)
1Praise the Lord!
How good it is to sing praises to our God;
for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.
2The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3He heals the brokenhearted,
and binds up their wounds.
4He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.
5Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
6The Lord lifts up the downtrodden;
he casts the wicked to the ground.
7Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre.
8He covers the heavens with clouds,
prepares rain for the earth,
makes grass grow on the hills.
9He gives to the animals their food,
and to the young ravens when they cry.
10His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;
11but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.
12Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
13For he strengthens the bars of your gates;
he blesses your children within you.
14He grants peace within your borders;
he fills you with the finest of wheat.
15He sends out his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
16He gives snow like wool;
he scatters frost like ashes.
17He hurls down hail like crumbs—
who can stand before his cold?
18He sends out his word, and melts them;
he makes his wind blow, and the waters flow.
New Testament Reading Christmas Lullaby (Songs for a New World)
The Message
Belief (Moment by Moment)
You’ll Never Walk Alone (Carousel)
How Glory Goes (Floyd Collins)
Prayers of the People
We welcome you to pray, and as you feel led, to join in the responses in bold.
(petitions read by individuals in congregation)
Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,*
We give thanks for music and words that give voice to the human condition, that hold our prayers and our doubts, our loves and our griefs, that acknowledge the mystery of that which we cannot see.
Eternal Spirit,
Hear our prayer.
We pray for the people in this room, for the city in which we gather, for our state, country and the nations of the world, that their leaders practice wisdom and compassion, seek unity and bridge-building, preserve and protect this earth and all things that live on it.
Divine Creator,
Hear our prayer.
We pray for those who grieve, who are lonely, who are in physical, emotional or mental pain, for prisoners and for their families, for those without work or without homes, for refugees and immigrants, those wrestling with addiction or depression, for those who are outcast or discriminated against, that they know that they are seen and loved.
Healing light,
Hear our prayer.
We pray that you love through us, that we see and care for each other, that we find healing and help others to find it as well; show us how we can unite, not divide; embrace, not fear; strengthen, not discourage.
Love incarnate,
Hear our prayer.
We pray for those we have loved and lost in this life, and that we will join them once again in the community of saints. We speak their names aloud or in our hearts.
(silence)
Holy Spirit,
Hear our prayer.
We offer up to you our own thanksgivings and petitions, either aloud or in our hearts.
(silence)
Source of all goodness,
Hear our prayer.
(closing collect, spoken by Deacon)
Divine Creator,
You have given us voice and language, mind and heart. With these gifts we sing, we pray, we laugh, we love with and for and about each other. Remind us that we make up a harmony of stories, that we are all a part of each other and a part of you and that you have made life and creation glorious, so that we can work for your good in the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
* The opening language is drawn from an alternative Lord’s Prayer in the New Zealand Prayer Book, Night Prayer
God Help the Outcast (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)
The Peace
Celebrant The peace of Christ be always with you.
People And also with you.
Offertory/Presentation All Good Gifts (Godspell)
All donations tonight will be given to Broadway Cares.
The Holy Eucharist
(spoken)
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Celebrant
We praise you and we bless you, holy and gracious God,
source of life abundant.
From before time you made ready the creation.
Your Spirit moved over the deep
and brought all things into being:
sun, moon, and stars;
earth, winds, and waters;
and every living thing.
You made us in your image,
and taught us to walk in your ways.
But we rebelled against you, and wandered far away;
and yet, as a mother cares for her children,
you would not forget us.
Time and again you called us
to live in the fullness of your love.
And so this day we join with Saints and Angels
in the chorus of praise that rings through eternity,
lifting our voices to magnify you as we say:
Sanctus
Celebrant and People
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
The Celebrant continues
Glory and honor and praise to you, holy and living God.
To deliver us from the power of sin and death
and to reveal the riches of your grace,
you looked with favor upon Mary, your willing servant,
that she might conceive and bear a son,
Jesus the holy child of God.
Living among us, Jesus loved us.
He broke bread with outcasts and sinners,
healed the sick, and proclaimed good news to the poor.
He yearned to draw all the world to himself
yet we were heedless of his call to walk in love.
Then, the time came for him to complete upon the cross
the sacrifice of his life,
and to be glorified by you.
On the night before he died for us,
Jesus was at table with his friends.
He took bread, gave thanks to you,
broke it, and gave it to them, and said:
“Take, eat:
This is my Body, which is given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.”
As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine.
Again, he gave thanks to you,
gave it to them, and said:
“Drink this, all of you:
This is my Blood of the new Covenant,
which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins.
Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Now gathered at your table, O God of all creation,
and remembering Christ, crucified and risen,
who was and is and is to come,
we offer to you our gifts of bread and wine,
and ourselves, a living sacrifice.
Pour out your Spirit upon these gifts
that they may be the Body and Blood of Christ.
Breathe your Spirit over the whole earth
and make us your new creation,
the Body of Christ given for the world you have made.
In the fullness of time bring us,
with Saint Elizabeth of Palestine and St. Elizabeth of Hungary
and all your saints,
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
to feast at the banquet prepared
from the foundation of the world.
Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
to you be honor, glory, and praise,
for ever and ever. AMEN.
The Lord’s Prayer
(spoken together)
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Fraction
We break this bread
to share in the Body of Christ.
We who are many are one body,
for we all share in the one bread.
Communion Music
I Don’t Need a Roof (Big Fish)
No One Is Alone (Into the Woods)
For Good (Wicked)
Postcommunion Prayer
(spoken together)
Loving God,
we give you thanks
for restoring us in your image
and nourishing us with spiritual food
in the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood.
Now send us forth
a people, forgiven, healed, renewed;
that we may proclaim your love to the world
and continue in the risen life of Christ our Savior. Amen.
You Will be Found (Dear Evan Hansen)
Blessing
Live without fear: your Creator has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Go in peace to follow the good road and may God’s blessing be with you always. Amen.
(source: from Saint Clare)
Closing Hymn Climb Every Mountain (The Sound of Music)
Climb every mountain, search high and low,
follow every highway, every path you know.
Climb every mountain, ford every stream,
follow every rainbow, ’til you find your dream!
A dream that will need all the love you can give,
every day of your life, for as long as you live.
Climb every mountain, ford every stream,
follow every rainbow, ’til you find your dream!
Dismissal Beautiful City (Godspell)
Postlude
Dancing Queen Hymn (Mamma Mia) (instrumental; Seth Davis on organ)
Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus Christ Superstar) (instrumental improvisation by Matt Cataldi on piano)
The Musicians
Dr. Matthew Cataldi (Radford University and First Baptist Church, Radford)
Seth Davis (Mill Mountain Theatre)
Adam McAllister (Ferrum College and Grove United Methodist Church, Radford)
Cara Ellen Modisett (St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal, Roanoke)
Zoe Jones
Alex Lyons
Dr. Marlayna Maynard
Katherine McLean
Leah Piemonte
Katie Seidemann
From Mill Mountain Theatre Conservatory
Bella Webb-Gardner
Olivia Hunter
Kim Hoyle
Connor Dunford
Many Thanks To…
Our series sponsor, West Piano
The clergy, staff, vestry and congregation of St. Elizabeth’s for their support and encouragement of these music events over the years
Dr. Matthew Cataldi, Seth Davis and Adam McAllister for their invaluable help brainstorming and planning for tonight’s event
Worship services every Sunday at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m., with Sunday School classes in between.
The Reverend Karin MacPhail, Rector and Celebrant
The Reverend Dick Willis, Deacon
Cara Ellen Modisett, Director of Music
The Right Reverend Mark Bourlakas, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia
2339 Grandin Road SW, Roanoke, Va. • 540-774-5183 • stelizabethsroanoke.org
Sunday services 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. • Office hours 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday
We welcome other congregations to share this liturgy and celebration with your communities. Wherever possible, please include a mention of St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal, Roanoke, Va.
