Notes on the Notes – September 17, 2017

This week’s theme:

Walking Though Water?

This week’s scripture readings:

Exodus 14:19-31    Romans 14:1-12

This week’s music:

“Come In, Come In and Sit Down” (VU #395)

“Come in, come in and sit down,
You are a part of the family.
We are lost and we are found,
And we are a part of the family.

You know the reason why you came,
Yet no reason can explain;
So share in the laughter and cry in the pain,
For we are a part of the family.

God is with us in this place,
Like a mother’s warm embrace.
We’re all forgiven by God’s grace,
For we are a part of the family.

There’s life to be shared in the bread and the wine,
We are the branches, Christ is the vine.
This is God’s temple, it’s not yours or mine,
But we are a part of the family.

There’s rest for the weary and health for us all;
There’s a yoke that is easy, and a burden that’s small.
So come in and worship and answer the call,
For we are a part of the family.”

This family song became known to United Church congregations in the arrangement made by Darryl Nixon for the hymn book supplement Songs for a Gospel People (1987). Singer songwriter James K. Manley, the composer of this hymn, is a minister in the United Church of Christ (USA). “Part of the Family” reminds both members and visitors that our congregation is an open, diverse group that welcomes people of all ages, every marital status, and all views, interest levels, and stages in the faith journey.

Hear the hymn sung by Strathroy United Church at:

https://youtu.be/gIz4FQYBF04

“This is God’s Wondrous World” (VU #296)

This hymn is often recognized as the old CGIT (Christian Girls in Training) hymn,  altered for inclusiveness from the original “This is My Father’s World.”    It has helped shaped the creation spirituality of many people.   The text is adapted from a poem published in a collection of Maltbie Davenport Babcock’s work entitled Thoughts for Everyday Living (1901).  The origin of the tune is unknown.  It was adapted to the hymn text by Stanley Oliver, organist at St. James United in Montreal,  in 1929 and the hymn was published in Songs of Worship (1930) and The Hymnary (1930).

“This is God’s wondrous world, and to my listening ears, 
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres. 
This is God’s wondrous world, I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas,  God’s hand the wonders wrought.

This is God’s wondrous world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their maker’s praise. 
This is God’s wondrous world.  God shines in all that’s fair,
In the rustling grass or mountain pass, God’s voice speaks everywhere.

This is God’s wondrous world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong. God is the ruler yet.
This is God’s wondrous world: why should my heart be sad?
Let voices sing, O let the heavens ring!   God reigns, let earth be glad.”

“Love Knocks and Waits” (MV #94)

“Love knocks and waits for us to hear, to open and invite;
Love longs to quiet every fear, and seeks to set things right.

Love offers life, in spite of foes who threaten and condemn;
Embracing enemies, Love goes the second mile with them.

Love comes to heal the broken heart, to ease the troubled mind;
Without a word Love bids us start to ask and seek and find.

Love knocks and enters at the sound of welcome from within;
Love sings and dances all around, and feels new life begin.”

The words for this hymn were written by Dan Damon in 1994.  Damon is an internationally published writer of hymn texts and tunes. This week we will be using the tune from the hymn “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” as our melody.

“For Love Shall be Our Song”

“God is love, God is peace, God is joy and gladness.
May we then live our lives in love, in peace, in joy with Christ our Lord.
For love shall be our song, as we lift our hearts to the Lord;
So as members of the family of God, rejoice, give thanks and praise.
And when others do us wrong, patience we will show, to forgive as Christ did us; seeds of love we’ll sow.”

Today’s anthem was written by Douglas E. Wagner in 1987, based on an adaptation of Colossians 3:12-15.

“Draw the Circle Wide” (MV #145)

Draw the circle wide.  Draw it wider still.
Let this be our song, no one stands alone, standing side by side,
Draw the circle wide.

God the still-point of the circle,
‘Round whom all creation turns;
nothing lost, but held forever,
In God’s gracious arms.

Let our hearts touch far horizons,
So encompass great and small;
Let our loving know no borders,
Faithful to God’s call.

Let the dreams we dream be larger
Than we’ve ever dreamed before;
Let the dream of Christ be in us,
Open every door.”

This now-familiar hymn of inclusion was written by Gordon Light of the Common Cup Company in 1994.  It was arranged by Michael Bloss in 1998.  The Common Cup Company is a musical group featuring songwriters Gordon Light & Ian Macdonald.  Their musical ministry began in 1979 when Light (an Anglican Priest and later Bishop), met Ian Macdonald and Jim Uhrich (both United Church ministers) while serving neighboring churches in Winnipeg, Canada.  Jim Uhrich also served as interim minister at Windsor Park United Church.  Bob Wallace joined the group in 1982, his voice strengthening and enriching the group’s sound.  In the following decades this original quartet wrote, performed, & recorded together despite living in different corners the country.

Hear the hymn at: https://youtu.be/zBNQ3zA7ulU