Notes on the Notes – June 3, 2018 (9:30 a.m. service time!)

This week’s theme:

Formed in Light/Communion

This week’s scripture readings:

Psalm 139:1-18                 Matthew 5:1-16

This week’s music:

“Let Us Build a House (All are Welcome)” (MV #1) 

“Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live,
a place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive.

Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace;
Here the love of Christ shall end divisions:
All are welcome, all are welcome,  all are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where prophets speak, and words are strong and true,
Where all God’s children dare to seek to dream God’s reign anew.
Here the cross shall stand as witness and as symbol of God’s grace;
Here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where love is found in water, wine and wheat;
A banquet hall on holy ground, where peace and justice meet.
Here the love of God, through Jesus, is revealed in time and space;
As we share in Christ the feast that frees us;
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone
To heal and strengthen, serve and teach, and live the Word they’ve known.
Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God’s face;
Let us bring an end to fear and danger;
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where all are named, their songs and visions heard
And loved and treasured, taught and claimed as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace;
Let this house proclaim from floor to rafter;
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.”

Our opening hymn of welcome and inclusion was written by Marty Haugen in 1994.

Hear the song at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAZC65CwTEA

“Spirit of Life” (VU #381)

“Spirit of Life, come unto me.
Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion.
Blow in the wind, rise in the sea; move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice.
Roots hold me close; wings set me free;
Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me.”

This sung prayer is by Carolyn McDade and was written in 1981.  It was arranged by Grace Lewis-McLaren and published in 1993.

Hear a choral arrangement of the song at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM-MHSKBL4g

“Draw Me Into Your Presence”

“Draw me into Your presence,
Draw me into Your presence,
Draw me into Your presence,
I want to know you.

For there’s life in Your presence,
Yes, there’s life in Your presence,
There is life in Your presence,
I want to know You.

Where else can I go?
Where else can I hide?
Only in Your presence, Lord,
Can I find peace of mind.”

This song is a modern praise and worship song by Teresa Muller.  It is based on Psalm 16:11 but also echoes the sentiments of today’s psalm reading.  The simplicity of the song allows the singer to focus on centering themselves on the act of worship.

Hear the Maranatha Singers at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWsuQGVHvek

“This is Me”

“I am not a stranger to the dark.
Hide away, they say, ’cause we don’t want your broken parts.
I’ve learned to be ashamed of all my scars.
Run away, they say, no one’ll love you as you are.

But, I won’t let them break me down to dust.
I know that there’s a place for us,
For we are glorious.

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down,
I’m gonna send a flood, gonna drown ’em out.
I am brave. I am bruised. I am who I’m meant to be.
This is me.
Look out, ’cause here I come.
And I’m marchin’ on to the beat I drum.
I’m not scared to be seen,
I make no apologies.
This is me.

Oh…

Another round of bullets hit my skin.
Well, fire away, ’cause today I won’t let the shame sink in.
We are burstin’ through the barricades and reachin’ for the sun.
We are warriors and that’s what we’ve become.

I won’t let them break me down…”

The Praise Team will be singing a Mac Huff arrangement of this song made popular in the movie “The Greatest Showman.”

Read more about the creation of the song at:  http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-en-mn-song-this-is-me-20171206-story.html

Watch a video about the story behind this viral hit at:  https://www.cnn.com/videos/entertainment/2018/02/22/keala-settle-this-is-me.cnn/video/playlists/american-sniper/

“All Who are Thirsty” (MV #4)

“All who are thirsty
All who are weak
Come to the fountain
Dip your heart in the streams of life

Let the pain and the sorrow
Be washed away
In the waves of his mercy
As deep cries out to deep, we sing

Come Lord Jesus, come
Come Lord Jesus, come
Come Lord Jesus, come
Come Lord Jesus, come”

This song was written by Brenton Brown in 1998.  Brenton Brown, born in South Africa, is a Christian songwriter and worship leader.

In John 7:37b-39, Jesus said, “‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’

Are we thirsty? Humans inherently feel that there is something more to life than just living and dying, or gaining reputation and amassing great wealth. There is a deep hunger and thirst for some spiritual meaning in our lives.   Jesus satisfies us.   Through the lyrics of this song,  all who are “thirsty” are invited to come, and He will give us the Holy Spirit to lead and guide, and pour forth great joy and life, in and through our lives.

Hear the song at:  https://youtu.be/zviSoihOEHU

“We are a Rainbow”

“We’re the light of all the world,
We are a city on a hill,
We’re a candle on a stand proclaiming light.
We will not hide our lamp beneath a bushel anymore,
We will shine a ray of hope that’s burning bright.

We’re a coat of many colours, sewn from many different threads,
Covering all in warmth, in welcome and in grace,
God said “Let there be light,” created every varied shade,
In the rainbow each of us can find a place.

We are the hope to still believe in tomorrow’s better day,
We are peace in a world that’s torn apart,
We are joy that will last in all the struggles that we face
We are love that blooms and grows in every heart.

When we face the storms of life, we will never be alone,
For our God will be with us on the way,
Hand in hand, side by side,
We won’t be frightened any more,
As the mourning night of tears breaks into day.

We are a rainbow,
Sign of covenant and peace
For the flood of tears will finally cease to be,
Come shine your rainbow,
Splash your hues across the sky,
Paint the world in colours proud and bold and free.”

This song was written by David Kai in 2017.

“Send Us Out”

“Send us out in the power of Your Spirit, Lord,
May our lives bring Jesus to the world.
May each thought and word bring glory to Your name,
Send us out in Your Spirit, Lord, we pray.”

The words and music for our benediction response were written by Ruth Fazal (1993).