Notes on the Notes – May 24, 2020

What is God Telling Us?

Matthew 28:16-20

This week’s music:

“I Can Feel You Near Me God” (MV #48)

“I can feel you near me God – I can feel you near
Yes, I know you’re with me God – I feel you here
I can feel you near me God – I can feel you near
Yes, I know you’re with me God – Heaven is here.

And I’ll jump for joy I’m singing Alleluia
Jump for joy for you
I will jump for joy I’m singing Alleluia
Jump for joy for you.

I can feel you loving me  – yes I know you care
God I know you’re loving me always everywhere
I can feel you loving me yes I know you care
God I know you’re loving me I know you’re there.

And I’ll jump for joy I’m singing Alleluia
Jump for joy for you
I will jump for joy I’m singing Alleluia
Jump for joy for you.”

This joyful song was written by Pat Mayberry in 2000 and arranged by Margaret Stubbington in 2006.

“The Church is Wherever God’s People” (VU #579)

“The church is wherever God’s people are praising,
Singing God’s goodness for joy on this day.
The church is wherever disciples of Jesus
remember his story and walk in his way.

The church is wherever God’s people are helping,
Caring for neighbours in sickness and need.
The church is wherever God’s people are sharing
the words of the Bible in gift and in deed.”

Carol Rose Ikeler was a staff member of the Board of Education of the United Presbyterian Church (USA) when she wrote this hymn.  The simple lyrics remind us that “church” is not about the church building, but that we can be the church wherever we are by our words and actions as God’s people.   The tune is based on a traditional English  carol,  “Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day.”  The arrangement used in Voices United was made for The Hymn Book (1971) by F.R.C. Clarke, composer and organist at Sydenham Street United Church in Kingston, Ontario.

Enjoy listening to a string arrangement of the tune at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t6HhlbNlL4

“One More Step Along the World I Go” (VU #639)

“One more step along the world I go,
One more step along the world I go,
From the old things to the new,
Keep me travelling along with you:
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
Keep me travelling along with you.

As I travel through the bad and good,
Keep me travelling the way I should;
Where I see no way to go
You’ll be telling me the way, I know:
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
Keep me travelling along with you.

Give me courage when the world is rough,
Keep me loving though the world is tough,
Leap and sing in all I do,
Keep me travelling along with you:
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
Keep me travelling along with you.”

This folk-hymn by Sydney Carter was written in 1971. The words of the hymn emphasize that living a faith-filled life is more about the journey than about having all of the answers. It also speaks of our desire to have God with us as we live and learn.

“We are the Church”

“I am the church!
You are the church!
We are the church together!
All who follow Jesus,
All around the world!
Yes, we’re the church together!

The church is not a building,
The church is not a steeple,
The church is not a resting place,
The church is a people!

I am the church!
You are the church!
We are the church together!
All who follow Jesus,
All around the world!
Yes, we’re the church together!

We’re many kinds of people
With many kinds of faces,
All colors and all ages, too,
From all times and places.

I am the church!
You are the church!
We are the church together!
All who follow Jesus,
All around the world!
Yes, we’re the church together!

I count if I am ninety,
Or nine or just a baby;
There’s one thing I am sure about
And I don’t mean maybe:

I am the church!
You are the church!
We are the church together!
All who follow Jesus,
All around the world!
Yes, we’re the church together!”

This song was written by Richard Avery and Donald Marsh in 1972.

“Like a Rock” (MV #92)

“Like a rock, like a rock, God is under our feet.
Like the starry night sky God is over our head.
Like the sun on the horizon God is ever before.

Like the river runs to ocean, our home is in God evermore.”

The words for this song are by Keri K. Wehlander (1998), adapted to music by Linnea Good (1998). The words of the song portray our confidence in the eternal nature of God.