Notes on the Notes – February 2, 2020
Communion
Worship Leader: Rev. Bob Galston
This week’s music:
“Come, Now, You Blessed” (VU #592)
“Come, now, you blessed, eat at my table,”
Said the great judge to the righteous above.
“When I was hungry, thirsty and homeless,
Sick and in prison you showed me your love.”
“When did we see you hungry or thirsty?
When were you homeless, a stranger alone?
When did we see you sick or in prison?
What have we done that you call us your own?”
“When you gave bread to earth’s hungry children,
When you gave welcome to war’s refugees,
When you remembered those most forgotten,
You cared for me in the smallest of these.”
Christ, when we meet you out on life’s roadways,
Looking to us in the faces of need,
Then may we know you, welcome, and show you
love that is faithful in word and in deed.”
The text for this hymn was written by Ruth Duck in 1979. It is based on the story of the sheep and the goats from Matthew 25:31-46. The story of the sheep and the goats is a judgment parable. Jesus outlines the changes in behavior that must occur to be a true follower: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, shelter the homeless, tend the sick, show compassion to those in prison. The closing verses of the song reminds us of opportunities to follow and serve people in need in the present time. The tune is by Jeeva Sam of Regina, arranged by Ron Klusmeier (1995).
Hear the hymn at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThMr6BaQIr0
“Come Touch our Hearts” (MV #12)
“Come touch our hearts that we may know compassion,
From failing embers build a blazing fire;
Love strong enough to overturn injustice,
To seek a world more gracious,
Come touch and bless our hearts.
Come touch our souls that we may know and love you,
Your quiet presence all our fears dispel;
Create a space for spirit to grow in us,
Let life and beauty fill us,
Come touch and bless our souls.
Come touch our minds and teach us how to reason,
Set free our thoughts to wonder and to dream;
Help us to open doors of understanding,
To welcome truth and wisdom,
come touch and bless our minds.
Come touch us in the moments we are fragile,
And in our weakness your great strength reveal;
That we may rise to follow and to serve,
Steady now our nerve,
Come touch and bless our wills.
Come touch us now, this people who are gathered,
To break the bread and share the cup of peace;
That we may love you with our heart, our soul,
Our mind, our strength, our all,
Come touch us with your grace.”
Our opening hymn this week is a call for God to come to us so that we may be more Christ-like in our thoughts, words and actions. The words and music are by Gordon Light (2002).
“Jesus Calls Us” (VU #562)
“Jesus calls us, o’er the tumult of our life’s wild restless sea,
Day by day his clear voice sounding,
Saying, “Christian, follow me.”
Long ago apostles heard it by the Galilean lake,
Turned from home and toil and kindred,
Leaving all for Jesus’ sake.
Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world’s golden store,
From each idol that would keep us, saying, “Christian, love me more.”
In our joys and in our sorrows, days of toil and hours of ease,
Still he calls, in cares and pleasures, “Christian, love me more than these.”
Jesus calls us: by your mercies, Saviour, may we hear your call,
Give our hearts to your obedience, serve and love you best of all.”
This hymn is based on Matthew 4:18-20, the calling of the first disciples of Jesus. The words were written by Cecil Francis Alexander in 1852. The melody, GALILEE, was composed for this text by William Herbert Jude in 1874.
The first verse of this hymn begins, “Jesus calls us o’er the tumult of our life’s wild, restless sea”—acknowledging the call of those first disciples by the Sea of Galilee. A recurring theme is “Christian, love me more”—”Christian, love me more than these” —”serve and love thee best of all.” Those words were inspired by John 21:15, where Jesus, after the resurrection, asked Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” The hymn therefore acknowledges Jesus’ claim, not only over the lives of those first four disciples, but over the lives of every Christian. (Source: Sermon Writer https://www.sermonwriter.com/hymn-stories/jesus-calls-us-oer-tumult/)
Hear the song on piano at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vir9cxM1FGs
“Blest are They”
“Blest are they, the poor in spirit, theirs is the kingdom of God.
Blest are they, full of sorrow, they shall be consoled.
Blest are they, the lowly ones, they shall inherit the earth.
Blest are they who hunger and thirst; they shall have their fill.
Blest are they who show mercy,
Mercy shall be theirs.
Blest are they, the pure of heart,
They shall see God!
Blest are they who seek peace;
They are the children of God.
Blest are they who suffer in faith,
The glory of God is theirs.
Blest are you who suffer hate,
All because of me.
Rejoice and be glad,
Yours is the kingdom;
Shine for all to see.
Rejoice! and be glad!
Blessed are you, holy are you!
Rejoice! and be glad!
Yours is the kingdom of God!”
This week’s anthem, by David Haas with Michael Joncas, is a setting of The Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew. The Beatitudes are one of the most beloved sections of New Testament scripture, and offer many messages and challenges for the believer: messages of comfort and reflection on the lifestyle of one seeking to build the kingdom.
Hear a youth choir singing they hymn at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vudWaeZbl4g
“Called as Partners in Christ’s service”
“Called as partners in Christ’s service,
Called to ministries of grace,
We respond with deep commitment
Fresh new lines of faith to trace.
May we learn the art of sharing,
Side by side and friend with friend,
Equal partners in our caring
To fulfill God’s chosen end.
Christ’s example, Christ’s inspiring,
Christ’s clear call to work and worth,
Let us follow, never faltering,
Reconciling folk on earth.
Men and women, richer, poorer,
All God’s people, young and old,
Blending human skills together
Gracious gifts from God unfold.
So, God grant us for tomorrow
Ways to order human life
That surround each person’s sorrow
With a calm that conquers strife.
Make us partners in our living,
Our compassion to increase,
Messengers of faith, thus giving
Hope and confidence and peace.”
This hymn were written by John Zundel in 1870. The words are a commissioning to go into the world with a deep commitment to live the life of a follower of Jesus, bringing our faith into all of our actions.
Hear the hymn sung in worship at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo_SV0r5IHs
To ponder:
What was Jesus’ purpose in declaring that those who are grieving and in poverty are blessed?
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