?
?
The final two months of October and November observe the last eight Sundays after Trinity from the 19th to the 26th, as well as special single-day feast observances of Michael and All-Angels, September 29; All-Souls Day, November 2; St. Andrew's Day, November 26-30; and Christ the King Sunday, the last of the church year in the 3-year Revised Common Lectionary of John S. Setterlund.1 ? The various lectionaries, primarily the single year in Bach's time and the current 3-year Revised Common Lectionary, consider this closing period to be End Time or the Last Things ().
<<The Late Trinity Time mini-cycle segment closes the annual cycle of church-year services in Bach's first Leipzig Jahrgang on the teachings of topical thematic patterns of parables, miracles, and other Gospel teachings of the Christian Church (source:? ). It runs from the 19th Sunday after Trinity (20th Sunday after Pentecost in today's three-year Christian lectionary) to the Last Sunday in the mid-20th Sundays after the Trinityfest.>>?
Late Trinity Time Mini-Series
<<This so-called mini-series embraces the beginning at the Feast of Michael and All Angels, the fixed date of September 29, and ends a month after in the Reformation Festival fixed date of October 31 with some four Sunday Trinity time services remaining to close the church year. These two fixed, festive services provide two of the foundational events in the Life of the Christian Church in the second half or omnes tempore (Ordinary Time) as contrasted to the first half, the seasonal de tempore (Proper Time) on the life and earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. ?
The Feast of Michael and All Angels (Michaelmas) observes the defeat of evil and triumph of human salvation while the Reformation Festival officially began at the Reformation Jubilee on the Centennial of Luther's Posting of his 99 theses, on 31 October 1617, and the establishment of the Christian Church. Two more contemporary, now eschatological observances during this last period are the fixed liturgical feast of All-Saints Day, November 1, liturgical observance of All-Souls Day, November 2 (see ) also known as Dia de Muerto ( ), and the moveable Christological celebration of Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday in the Church Year (, ). At the end of Late Trinity Time, Bach turned to the Christological de tempore first half of the church year, beginning with the Leipzig minor feast day of the 1st Sunday in Advent, observing Jesus incarnation. During the remainder closed period of the final three Sundays in Advent he completed his first major vocal work the Magnificat in E-Flat, BWV 243a=243.1 with the four Christmas interpolations ().>>? Meanwhile, the concept of Last Judgment or End Times is observed in the current 3-year Revised Common Lectionary with special liturgy in The Season of End Times (), The Wartburg Project (Second Coming, Eschatology. Year C liturgy ) while the current Year B has the following liturgy:
Reformation Sunday (The First Sunday of End Time, 3 November 2024):? 1st Lesson, Jeremiah 18:1-4, Word of Lord to House of Israel, (Potter and Clay, ), 2nd Lesson, Revelation 14:6-7, fear of God and give him glory (Messages of three angels, ), Gospel, Mark 13:5-11, Troubles & Persecutions (Destruction of Temple foretold, ).? Feat of Reformation Day (October 31), Gospel Revelation 14:6-8 () or Romans 3:19-28 (Righteousness through faith, ), preferred Cantata 80.3 (, ), alternate Cantata 79 ().
Last Judgment (The Second Sunday of End Time, 10 November 2024): 1st Lesson, Malachi 4:1-2a, Great day of Lord, ); 2nd lesson, Hebrews 9:24-28 (Christ has entered,? ). Gospel John 5:19-24 (Authority of Son, ).? Last Judgment, see .? Single lectionary, Matthew 25::31-46 (Separation of sheep & goats, ), preferred Cantata 116 (). Year B, Gospel John 5:9-24 (Authority of Son, ), preferred Cantata 127 (, );? Year C, Gospel Luke 19:11-27 (Question about Resurrection, ), preferred Cantata 14 (, ).? Year A, Matthew 25:31-46 (same as single lectionary above), preferred Cantata 116 (, ).
Saints Triumph (Third Sunday of End Time, 17 November 2024).? 1st Lesson, Daniel 12:1-3, Resurrection of Dead, ; 2nd lesson Hebrews 10:11-18, Christ's sacrifice takes away sin, ; Gospel John 5:25-29, Authority of Son, ).? ? The Triumphant Saints are found in Revelation 14:2-5, the 144,000 men out in the world joining Christ at the Second Coming ().? Single lectionary, Matthew 25:1-13 (Wise & foolish bridesmaids, ),?preferred Cantata 140 (, ).? Year B, Gospel John 5:25-29 (Hour is coming, ), preferred Cantata 60 II (, ).? Year C, Gospel Luke 20:27-38 (Jesus speaks of resurrection, ), preferred Cantata/Motet 118.1-2 (, ).? Year A, Gospel Matthew 25:1-14 (same as single lectionary above), preferred Cantata 140.
Christ the King (The Fourth [Last] Sunday of End Times, Reign of Christ, 24 November 2024, Proper (29 (34), complete liturgy ().? Year B, Gospel John 18:33-37 (Kingdom of Christ, ), preferred Cantata 117 (, ), alternate Cantata 116 (, ).? Year C, Gospel Luke 23:35-43, 23 November 2025, Proper (29 (34), complete liturgy (), Gospel Luke 23:35-43 (Jesus crucified with two thieves, ), preferred Cantata 182 ( https://iopn.library.illinois.edu/scalar/bachcantatas/bwv117bca187?path=cantatas-for-unknown-occasions, ), alternate Cantata 106 11(, ).? Year A, Gospel Matthew 25:31-46 (Separation of sheep & goats, 22 November 2026, Proper 29 (34), ), preferred Cantata 116, alternate Cantata 90 (, ).
Trinity Time Last Sundays
<<The very last Sundays of the Church year, those in Ordinary Time (omnes tempore, ) address the gospel and chorale eschatological (Last Time) themes of ¡°Last Days, Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Life" found in the last pages of Bach¡¯s hymnbook, Das neu Leipziger Gesangbuch (NLGB Nos. 390-396). In the Trinity Times ending in the final themes of the Last Time, and Life Eternal is the reward of Catechism ¡°Justification¡± through grace alone (sola fide) principle of Lutheran Theology (). Other non-liturgical Catechism personal themes are found in the hymns for Morning and Evening prayers, Grace at Meals, and Prayer for Good Weather>> (source, ).? <<For the chorales for the 19th to 27th Sundays after Trinity, see BCW, : scroll down, and see details of the final Trinity Time cantatas, ).? The gospels for the final eight Sundays after Trinity focus on one of the three thematic patterns of parables, miracles and teachings: Trinity 20, Matthew 22:1-14, Parable of the marriage of the king¡¯s son; Trinity 21, John 4:46-54, Miracle of the nobleman¡¯s son healed; Trinity 22, Matthew 18:23-35 Parable of the unmerciful servant; Trinity 23, Matthew 22:15-22, Teaching: The Pharisees and the tribute to Caesar; Trinity 24, Matthew 9:18-26 Miracle of the Raising of Jairus¡¯s daughter; Trinity 25, Matthew 24:15-28, Teaching: Christ¡¯s prediction; Trinity 26, Matthew 25:31-46, Teaching: The Last Judgement; Trinity 27, Matthew 25:1-13 Teaching: The wise and foolish virgins.? It is documented that Friedemann received both the score and parts for the final seven cantatas presented in late Trinity Time 1723 in the first cycle, presumably because these were most appropriate for his use as music director in Halle in 1750.
Late Trinity Time Commentary ?
For a commentary of eschatological later Trinity Time Sundays and feast days, see Hendrik Slegtenhorst.2? It concerns the final Sundays after Trinity from 17 to 27 with specific themes as well as the festivals of Michaelmas (September 29) and Reformation Day (October 31):? Trinity 17, Humility of Purpose (BWV 148, 114, 47); Trinity 18, Love Divine and Mortal (BWV 96, 169); Michaelmas, Good and Evil (BWV 130, 19, 149, 50); Trinity 19, Journey that Makes One New and Whole (BWV 48, 5, 56); Trinity 20, Blind Attraction (BWV 162, 180, 49); Reformation Day (October 31), Christian Repentance (BWV 79, 192, 80.3); Secular Cantatas (BWV 201, 206); Trinity 21, Belief and Unbelief (BWV 109, 38, 98, 188); Trinity 22, Threat and Mercy (BWV 89, 115, 55); Trinity 23, Falsity and Friendship (BWV 163, 139, 52); Trinity 24, Fear and Hope (BWV 60, 26); Trinity 25, Desolation of Last Judgment (BWV 90, 116); Trinity 26, Rewards of Good and Evil (BWV 70), Trinity 27, Unity of Light (BWV 140).
?Late Trinity Time Sundays
The late Trinity Time Sundays from the 19th to the 27th are revealed in the three-year Revised Common Lectionary oof Setterlund:
19th Sunday after Trinity (18th Sunday after Pentecost). Year B, Mark 10:2-16 (Teaching on marriage, , 6 October 2024, Proper 22 (27), preferred Cantata 139 (, ), alternate Cantata 118 (, .? Year C, Luke 17:5-10 (Faith size of mustard seed, , 5 October 2025, Proper 22 (27), preferred Cantata 75/2 (, ), alternate Cantata 180 (, .? Year A, Matthew 21:33-47 (Parable of vineyard owner's son, , 4 October 2026, Proper 22 (27), preferred Cantata 101 (, ), alternate Cantata 102 (, .
20th Sunday after Trinity (19th Sunday after Pentecost).? Year B, Mark 10:17-31 (Teaching on wealth & reward, , 13 October 2024, Proper 23 (28), preferred Cantata 97 (, ), alternate Cantata 138 ().? Year C, Luke 17 11:19 (Healed leper gives thanks to Jesus, 12 October 2025, Proper 23 (28), preferred Cantata 17 (, ), alternate Cantata 72 (,? ? ? ?
).
21st Sunday after Trinity (20th Sunday after Pentecost).? Year B, Mark 10:35-45 (Warnings to ambitious disciples, , 20 October 2024, Proper 24 (29), preferred Cantata 99 (, ), alternate Cantata 56 (, .? Year C, Luke 18: 1-8 (Widow begs for justice, , 19 October 2025, Proper 24 (29), preferred Cantata 157.1 (, alternate Cantata 143 (, ).? Year A, Matthew 22:15-22 (Teaching about emperor & God, , 18 October 2026, Proper 24 (29), preferred Cantata 162 (, ), alternate Cantata 180 (, .
22nd Sunday after Trinity (21st Sunday after Pentecost).? Year B, Mark 10:46-52 (Christ heals blind Bartimaeus, ), 27 October 2024, Proper 25 (30), preferred Cantata 23.3 (, ), alternate Cantata 38 (, ).? Year C, Luke 18:9-14 (Pharisee & tax collector pray, ,26 October 2025 Proper 25 (30), preferred Cantata 179.1 (,), alternate Cantata 131 (, .? Year A, Matthew 22:34-36 (Loving God & neighbor, ), 25 October 2026, Proper 25 (30), preferred Cantata 96 (, ), alternate Cantata 169 (, ? .
23rd Sunday after Trinity (22nd Sunday after Pentecost).? Year B, Mark 12:28-34 (Widow's generosity, , 3 November 2024, Proper 26 (31), preferred Cantata 77 (, ), alternate Cantata 33 (, .? Year C, Luke 19:1-10 (Zacchaeus climbs high to see Jesus, , 2 November 2025, Proper 26 (31), preferred Cantata 55 (, ), alternate Cantata 89 (, .? Year A, Matthew 23: 1-12 (Humble yourselves, , 1 November 2026, Proper 26 (31), preferred Cantata 169 (, ), alternate Cantata 52 (, .
24th Sunday after Trinity (23rd Sunday after Pentecost).? Year B, Mark 12:38-44 (Widow's generosity, , 10 November 2024 (Proper 27 (32), preferred Cantata 52 (, ), alternate Cantata 139 (, ).? Year C, Luke 20:27-38 (Jesus speaks of resurrection, , 9 November 2025, Proper 27 (32), preferred Cantata/Motet 118 (, ), alternate, Cantata 31.2 (, ).? Year A, Matthew 25 1-13 (Wise & foolish bridesmaids, , 8 November 2026, Proper 27 (32), preferred Cantata 140 (, ), alternate Cantata 115 (, ).
25th Sunday after Trinity (24th Sunday after Pentecost), Year B, Mark (John 18, 33-37, Kingdom of Christ, , 24 November 2024, Proper 29 (34), preferred Cantata 117 (, ), alternate Cantata 116 (, ).? Year C, Luke 23:33-43 (Jesus crucified with two thieves, , 23 November 2025, Proper 29 (34), preferred Cantata 182, , no Palm Sunday except for Annunciation, ), alternate Cantata 106 (, ).? Year A, Matthew 25:31-46 (Separation of sheep & goats, , 22 November 2026, Proper 29 (34).
Special, single-day festive events during later Trinity Time, ie Sundays of End Time (, these events were not normally part of the standard Lutheran liturgical calendar):
Day of Thanksgiving, November 28.? Year B, Matthew 6: 25-33 (God will care for all our needs, , 28 November 2024, no Proper), preferred Cantata 29, , ), alternate Cantata 187 (, ).? Year C, John 6:25-35 (Jesus, bread of life, , 27 November 2025, no Proper), preferred Cantata 69.2 (,? or Cantata 69a(.1), ), alternate Cantata 162.2 (, ).? Year A, Luke 17:11-19 (Healed leper gives thanks to Jesus, 26 November 2026, no Proper),? preferred Cantata 192 (, ), alternate Cantata 79 (, ).
Reformation Day (1st Sunday of End Time), October 31 (often observed on the next Sunday, (November 3), one-year lectionary, John 17:6-19 (I have manifested they name, , preferred Cantata 80.2 (, ), alternate Cantata 79 (, .? Year B, Mark 13:5-11 (Destruction of Temple foretold, ), preferred Cantata 26 (, ).? Year C, John 17:6-19 (True Disciples, ), preferred Cantata 55 (,? ).? Year A, Matthew 10:16-23 (Coming persecutions, ) preferred Cantata 57 (, ).
All Saints Day, November 1 (often observed on the next Sunday, November 3), one-year lectionary, Matthew 5:1-12 (Teaching of Christ:? Beatitudes, ), preferred Cantata 107 (, .? Year B, John 11:32-44 (Raising of Lazarus, ), preferred Cantata 156 (, ).? A related festival observance is All-Souls Day on November 2, instituted by the Catholic church to commemorate all those who have passed within the faith.? Bach's works appropriate for this day are discussed at "All-Souls Day Cantata Prospects" in .
Special Occasions
Setterlund's current 3-year Revised Common Lectionary, following the established church year readings through Trinity Time (pp. 3-113), has 19 special occasions for church music:? Dedication or Anniversary of a Church, Saints, Martyrs, Missionaries, Renewers of the Church, Renewers of Society, Pastors and Bishops, Theologians and Teachers, Marriage, Christian Unity, Harvest, Day of Penitence, Day of Mourning, National Holiday, Peace, Stewardship of Creation, and New Year''s Eve.? The Supplement of Alternative Lectionaries has contemporary overlapping, often varied date observances, Lutheran Service Book (LCMS 2006, St. Louis MO, Concordia Publishing:? 161; ): ? Anniversary of a Congregation, Mission Observance, Harvest Observance, Day of Thanksgiving, Day of Supplication and Prayer, Day of National or Local Tragedy; and 17 occasions in the Lectionary Christian Worship (WELS 1993, Milwaukee:? Northwestern Pub.:? 174f:? Christian Education, Church Anniversary, Church Dedication, Environment, Evangelism, Family, Installation/Ordination, Nation, Organ Dedication, School Dedication, Social Concern, Stewardship, Synod, Thanksgiving Day, Time of Crisis, Worker Training, World Missions.? ?
ENDNOTES
1 John S. Setterlund, Bach Through the Year: The Church Music of Johann Sebastian Bach and the Revised Common Lectionary (Minneapolis MN, Lutheran University Press 2013), , .
2 Hendrik Slegtenhorst, On the Cantatas of J. S. Bach:? Trinity XVII-XXVII (Vancouver BC:? Enlora Press:? 2017-2023, ,
To Come:? 3-Year Common Lectionary special occasions with recommended Bach church music.
William Hoffman