Notes on the Notes – February 4, 2018

This week’s theme:

The Pay-off!

This week’s scripture readings:

Isaiah 40:21-31       I Corinthians 9:16-23

This week’s music:

As we near the end of the season of Epiphany, we are drawing closer to a deeper understanding of what it means to hear and follow God’s call.  This week, the music centers around our understanding of God as seen through Isaiah and Psalm 91, where God is seen as lifting us like an eagle, giving us strength as well as being our protector.  Our response to God’s call is to follow the words of Micah from last week’s song, “We are Called” – to seek justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God.

“My Love Colours Outside the Lines” (MV #138)

“My love colours outside the lines,
Exploring paths that few could ever find;
And takes me into places where I’ve never been before,
And opens doors to worlds outside the lines.

My Lord colours outside the lines,
Turns wounds to blessings, water into wine;
And takes me into places where I’ve never been before
And opens doors to worlds outside the lines.

We’ll never walk on water if we’re not prepared to drown,
Body and soul need a soaking from time to time.
And we’ll never move the gravestones if we’re not prepared to die,
And realize there are worlds outside the lines.

My soul longs to colour outside the lines,
Tear back the curtains, sun, come in and shine;
I want to walk beyond the boundaries where I’ve never been before,
Throw open doors to worlds outside the lines…”

This modern worship song is by Gordon Light (1995) of the Common Cup Company, arranged for More Voices by Andrew Donaldson.  It speaks to our longing to follow God’s call, and gently encourages us to overcome our fear of stepping out of our comfort zone in order to do so.

“We Sing to You, O God” 

“We sing to you, O God, the Rock who gave us birth,
Let our rejoicing sing your name in all the earth.
To you, O God, let songs be raised, in joyful hymns, our feast of praise.

You bear us through the world, an eagle to her young,
Who rises on her wings and bears us toward the sun.
We ride the vaults of light and air and trust in your unfailing care.

O God, eternal God, we hide within your wings,
The everlasting arms to whom our praises ring.
Your word is true, your way is just, you are the God in whom we trust.”

The text for this hymn was written by Gracia Grindal in 1993.  The music is by John Darwall (1770), and will be familiar as the tune for the hymn “Rejoice, the Lord is King.”

“On Eagle’s Wings” (VU #808)

“And I will raise you up on eagles, wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to sine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of my hand,”

You who dwell in the shelter of our God,
Who abide in this shadow for life,
Say to the Lord: “My refuge, my Rock in whom I trust!”

The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
And famine will bring you no fear:
Under God’s wings your refuge,
God’s faithfulness your shield.

You need not fear the terror of the night,
Nor the arrow that flies by day;
Though thousands fall about you,
Near you it shall not come.

For to God’s angels is given a command
To guard you in all of your ways;
Upon their hands they will bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

This hymn is the sung text of Psalm 91 and has long been a favorite at WPUC.  Michael Joncas, composer, is an assistant professor of Theology at the University of St. Thoman in St. Paul Minnesota.   The Psalm is an assurance to the people of God’s faithfulness through all time and circumstance.  It is interesting to note that in Voices United the words of the chorus are in the first person (quoting God) while in the original the point of view is in the third person (He will raise you up…) until near the end of the Psalm.  Listen to the original version of this song at:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VW0jDEM1Qxc

“The Power of Your Love”  

This week’s anthem was written by Geoff Bullock, a member of Australia’s Hillsong Church team.   “In 2006 Angelica Del Vasto of Worship Leader Magazine wrote about Bullock’s song “The Power of Your Love” that it “encompasses the listener with… the empowering conviction that the Creator of the universe has done, and is doing, everything to convey His love to us. It compels us to face our own weaknesses and then fall into the arms of God.” … Bullock acknowledged its (the song’s) influence on his later life, saying “so many of the songs that I had written [earlier] were given new meaning as I had to live out their inspiration. It is far easier writing a song than having to live out its words.”

“Lord I come to You
Let my heart be changed, renewed
Flowing from the grace
That i have found in You
And Lord I have come to know
The weaknesses I see in me
Will be stripped away
By the power of Your love

Hold me close
Let Your love surround me
Bring me near
Draw me to Your side
And as I wait
I will rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
In the power of Your love

Lord unveil my eyes
Let me see You face to face
The knowledge of Your love
As You live in me
And Lord renew my mind
As Your will unfolds in my life
In living every day
By the power of Your love…”

“Go, Make a Difference” (MV #209)

“Go make a difference.
We can make a difference.
Go make a difference in the world.

We are the salt of the earth, called to let the people see
the love of God for you and me.  

We are the light of the world,
not to be hidden but be seen.
Go make a difference in the world.

We are the hands of Christ reaching out to those in need,
the face of God for all to see.
We are the spirit of hope;  we are the voice of peace.
Go make a difference in the world.

So let your love shine on, let it shine for all to see.
Go make a difference in the world.
And the spirit of Christ will be with us as we go.
Go make a difference in the world.”

This lively song enthusiastically sends us out to carry our faith into the world.  It was written by Steve Angrisano and Tom Tomaszek in 1997.   The words reinforce the message from the gospel of Matthew.

Watch Steve Angrisano singing the song at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQJ4TLRy1KI