Notes on the Notes – November 18, 2018

This week’s theme:

“Newness”

This week’s scripture readings:

Hebrews 10:11-25     Mark 13:1-8

This week’s music:

“Praise Our Maker” (VU #316)

“Praise our Maker, peoples of one family;
God is love, God is love!
Praise our Maker, peoples of one family;
God is love, God is love!

Love our Saviour, followers of Jesus;
God is love, God is love!
Love our Saviour, followers of Jesus;
God is love, God is love!

Care for others, children of the Spirit;
God is love, God is love!
Care for others, children of the Spirit;
God is love, God is love!”

This hymn was adapted by Gerald Hobbs, who also added a third verse to include the Spirit for inclusion in Songs for a Gospel People (1987) – the original lyrics being “Praise Him, Praise Him, all ye little children.”  The hymn tune PRAISE HIM was arranged by Carey Bonner for the Sunday School Hymnary (1905).    The arrangement used in Voices United was written by Toronto composer Ruth Watson Henderson (1995).

“God is Here” (VU #389)

“God is here! As we your people meet to offer praise and prayer,
May we find in fuller measure what it is in Christ we share.
Here, as in the world around us, all our varied skills and arts
Wait the coming of the Spirit into open minds and hearts.

Here are symbols to remind us of our lifelong need of grace;
Here are table, font, and pulpit,
Here the cross has central place.
Here in honesty of preaching,
Here in silence, as in speech,
Here, in newness and renewal,
God the Spirit comes to each.

Here our children find a welcome in the Shepherd’s flock and fold;
Here as bread and wine are taken, Christ sustains us, as of old.
Here the servants of the Servant seek in worship to explore
What it means in daily living to believe and to adore.

God of all, of church and kingdom, in an age of change and doubt
Keep us faithful to the gospel; help us work your purpose out.
Here, in this day’s dedication, all we have to give, receive;
We, who cannot live without you, we adore you! We believe!”

Fred Pratt Green wrote the words for this hymn for the closing of an eight month church festival on worship, music and the arts at University Methodist Church in Austin, Texas in 1978.  The third verse celebrates the sacraments of baptism and communion and the commitment to serve God daily.  The closing verse reminds us of our search for understanding in today’s complicated world, closing with the affirmation that, through it all, “We believe!”  William Rowlands composed the tune BLAENWERN during the Welsh revival of 1904-05.

Hear the melody played on pipe organ at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0rAtG4vCpQ

“Deep in Our Hearts” (MV #154)

“Deep in our hearts there is a common vision;
Deep in our hearts there is a common song;
Deep in our hearts there is a common story,
Telling Creation that we are one.

Deep in our hearts there is a common purpose;
Deep in our hearts there is a common goal,
Deep in our hearts there is a sacred message,
Justice and peace in harmony.

Deep in our hearts there is a common longing;
Deep in our hearts there is a common theme;
Deep in our hearts there is a common current,
Flowing to freedom like a stream.

Deep in our hearts there is a common vision;
Deep in our hearts there is a common song;
Deep in our hearts there is a common story,
Telling Creation that we are one.”

This song, with words by John Oldham and music by Ron Klusmeier, speaks to the human longing for the divine that is common across time and faith divisions.  It was written in 1996.

See the song, with Ron Klusmeier at the piano at:  https://youtu.be/YnZaO8udMcQ

“We are People of Faith”

“We are people of faith.
We are sisters and brothers sharing God’s promise wherever we go.
As we live every day, we reach out to others,
Showing them kindness and bringing them hope.

Share God’s love, rejoice in God’s Word.
Go and carry God’s light into all of the world.
Joined as one, our voices we raise in a song of God’s glory and praise.

We are people of Christ.
We are working together,
Sharing the blessings He offers each day.
We will give Him our lives, and serve Him forever,
Trusting our Savior to show us the way.

Share God’s love…”

This week’s anthem is by Don Besig and Nancy Price (2013).  The words are based on I Corinthians 16:13, Ephesians 6:16, and Ephesians 2:8-9.  The lyrics affirm the community of faith and our role as ambassadors for Christ.

“Spirit God, Be Our Breath (Embracing Change)” (MV #150)

“Spirit God: be our breath, be our song.
Blow through us, bringing strength to move on.
Our world seems inward, defensive, withdrawn…
Spirit God, be our song.

Patient God: soothe our pride, calm our fear.
Comfort us.
When we know you are near we grow more certain, our vision is clear.
Patient God, calm our fear.

Loving God: be our voice, be our prayer.
Reaching out, joining hands as we share,
We seek your guidance through friendship and care.
Loving God, be our prayer.

Spirit God: be our breath, be our song.
Blow through us, bringing strength to move on.
Through change, through challenge, we’ll greet the new dawn.
Spirit God, be our song.”

This song, with words and music by Bruce Harding, was written in 1997.   The lyrics remind us that God will be with us through the changes that we will see as we move forward in faith.

To Ponder:

Where do you long for the new to emerge in your life? 

 What is hard to let pass?