Bach Cantata Vespers

Fall 2022 Vespers at St. James …
We reinvigorated the St. James Vespers tradition with a service on Sunday, November 13th, 2022, at 5:00pm. This Vespers service highlighted and celebrated the Reformation with instrumental, vocal, and organ music.

Bach Vespers Service on Sunday, November 13th, 2022, at 5:00pm.
“We are excited to return to our Vespers Ministry on the second Sunday of November. As we prepare to resume this beautiful tradition, we are looking at refreshing and reimagining it as well. For me, this means we must start with the foundation: the Vespers liturgy itself. This service will focus on highlighting the structural components of the liturgy, where and when they come from, and how they came to be a part of this centuries-old tradition. The ancient roots of this service will be evident in the 3rd Century Hymn ‘Joyous Light of Glory’, and a choral realization of a chant setting of the canticle, ‘Magnificat’ by Charles Wood. Tying into our fall Stewardship theme, the service will feature Paul Bouman’s beautiful anthem, ‘It Is a Good Thing to Give Thanks’. Please join us!”
–Colin Stave, Director of Music Ministry

Summer 2023 Bach Cantata Vespers …

We hope that you enjoyed our Bach Cantata Vespers service on Sunday, June 11th, 2023, at 5:00pm. The service featured Bach’s charming Cantata 112 “Der Herr ist mein getreuer Hirt” (The Lord is my faithful Shepherd). The St. James Bach Choir was joined by soloists and instrumentalists. Our thanks to our Director of Music Ministry Colin Stave for his guidance and direction. Please join us for our next beautiful service with a reception to follow in Pioneer Chapel.

Spring 2024 Bach Cantata Vespers …

Thanks to all who attended our Bach Cantata Vespers service on Sunday, April 28th, 2024, at 5:00pm. The St. James Choir, guest singers, soloists, organ, and orchestra presented Bach’s “Am Abend aber desselbigen Sabbats” BWV 42. The service was followed by a reception in Pioneer Chapel.

Fall 2024 Bach Cantata Vespers …

We hope that you enjoyed our Choral Vespers service on Sunday, December 1st, 2024, at 5:00pm. The centerpiece of the service featured Bach’s Cantata 62, “Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland” which was composed for that same Sunday, 300 years ago. Premiered on December 3rd in 1724, that cantata proclaimed the arrival of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and highlighted the hymn and text written by Martin Luther, himself.

Spring 2025 Bach Cantata Vespers …

Thanks to the 80 people who gathered to worship at our Choral Vespers Service on Sunday, May 25th, 2025, at 5:00pm.  Premiered 300 years ago in 1725, Bach’s Cantata BWV 6 “Bleib bei uns, denn es will Abend werden” reflects the Easter season, the essence of our evening vespers tradition, and the difficulties of today. The opening text, “Abide with us, for it will soon be evening, and the day is now declining,” from Luke 24, is typically assigned to the days immediately following Easter. The closing text, from Martin Luther’s hymn “Erhalt uns, Herr” pleads for light in a time of darkness. Four stunning soloists, a talented eight-piece orchestra with violin, viola, cello, oboe, and English horn, guest singers, and the St. James Choir performed this challenging and beautiful Cantata, bringing light to the darkness, and peace to our spirits. Thank you to everyone involved in preparing this service, especially all our behind-the-scenes volunteers and the St. James staff.

Please join us again in 2025 …

Fall 2025 Bach Cantata Vespers …

We welcome you for our next service at 5:00pm — on Sunday, November 2nd, 2025 — when we will present our next Bach Cantata Choral Vespers with the St. James Choir, soloists, and orchestra.

We look forward to seeing you at our next Cantata!

St. James Lutheran Church (at the corner of SW Park Blocks and Jefferson)
1315 SW Park Avenue, Portland, OR 97201

For more information: call the Church Office at 503-227-2439.