Notes on the Notes – March 8, 2020

Lent 2

The Edge of Others

Genesis 12:1-4a       John 3:1-17

This week’s music:

“To Abraham and Sarah” (VU #634)

“To Abraham and Sarah the call of God was clear;
‘Go forth and I will show you a country rich and fair.
You need not fear the journey for I have pledged my word:
That you shall be my people and I will be your God.’

From Abraham and Sarah arose a pilgrim race,
Dependent for their journey on God’s abundant grace;
And in their heart was written by God this saving word:
That ‘you shall be my people and I will be your God.’

We of this generation on whom God’s hand is laid,
Can journey to the future secure and unafraid,
Rejoicing in God’s goodness and trusting in this word:
That ‘you shall be my people and I will be your God.’”

Judith Fetter wrote the words for this hymn in 1984.  It is based on the call of Abraham in the book of Genesis.   The text is grounded in the recurring statement of the covenant relationship between God and the people God has chosen.  The melody, THORNBURY, was written by English organist and composer, Basil Harwood, in 1898 for the hymn, “Your Hand, O God, has Guided.” 

Lenten Response (VU #121)

“In our call to be a blessing,
May we be a blessing true;
May we live and die confessing
Christ as Lord of all we do,
Christ as Lord of all we do.

Gentle Jesus, mighty Spirit,
Come inflame our hearts anew,
We may all your joy inherit
If we bear the cross with you,
If we bear the cross with you.”

Each week during the season of Lent, we will be using selected verses of the hymn “Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery,”  written by Marty Haugen (1984).

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

This hymn of inclusion was written by Gordon Light of the Common Cup Company in 1994 and arranged by Michael Bloss in 1998.

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

“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 also 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.

See the song sung in worship at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbrXdLCRays

“What Will We Promise, What Will We Give?”

“We are here together this day among these friends we know,
To thank the Lord for all these gifts we share.
When we’re here within this place where love and friendship grow,
We reach to one another in our prayers.

But what will we promise,
What will we give for those outside these walls?
Will our hearts be open?
Will we hear their call?
Will we reach beyond ourselves, as he taught us to live?
What will we promise,
What will we give?

In this warm, familiar place we share the hope and dream of living
in a world of love and peace.
But the things we do each day sometimes make it seem
we have no real concern for others’ needs.

So, what will we promise,
What will we give for those outside these walls?
Will our hearts be open?
Will we hear their call?
Will we reach beyond ourselves, as he taught us to live?
What will we promise,
What will we give?”

This week’s anthem was written by Don Besig (1983) and serves as a reminder that the actions of our faith mean little if they don’t include those in the world around us.

“Jesus Christ is Waiting” (VU #117)

“Jesus Christ is waiting, waiting in the streets;
No one is his neighbour, all alone he eats.
Listen, Lord Jesus, I am lonely too.
Make me, friend or stranger, fit to wait on you.

Jesus Christ is raging, raging in the streets,
Where injustice spirals and real hope retreats.
Listen, Lord Jesus, I am angry too.
In the Kingdom’s causes let me rage with you.

Jesus Christ is healing, healing in the streets,
Curing those who suffer, touching those he greets.
Listen, Lord Jesus, I have pity too.
Let my care be active, healing just like you.

Jesus Christ is dancing, dancing in the streets,
Where each sign of hatred he, with love, defeats.
Listen, Lord Jesus, I should triumph too.
On suspicion’s graveyard let me dance with you.

Jesus Christ is calling, calling in the streets,
‘Who will join my journey? I will guide their feet.’
Listen, Lord Jesus, let my fears be few.
Walk one step before me, I will follow you.”

This hymn was written by John Bell (1984) in support of youth work in Glasgow.  The words bring to mind the many ways that Jesus can be seen:  as waiting, raging, healing, dancing and calling.  It also speaks to our response as we identify with Jesus.   While more contemporary in its message, its tune comes from an old French Christmas carol (NOEL NOUVELET).  This arrangement is from the Iona community in Scotland. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ai-OydgMLSs

Bonus video: