Notes on the Notes – December 6, 2020

Second Sunday of Advent

Peace in the Wilderness

Communion

This week’s music:

“We Light This Candle”

“We light this candle for Peace.
Await the new life within.
May our hearts now live each day,
So Peace can find a way,
So Peace can find a way.”

Our Advent candle-lighting song was written by Pat Mayberry (2016) and arranged by David Kai (2016).

“There’s a Voice in the Wilderness” (VU #18)

“There’s a voice in the wilderness crying, a call from the ways untrod:
Prepare in the desert a highway, a highway for our God!
The valleys shall be exalted, the lofty hills brought low;
Make straight all the crooked places where God, our God, may go!

O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up to the heights and sing!
Proclaim to a desolate people the coming of their King.
Like the flowers of the field they perish,
Like grass our works decay;
The power and pomp of nations
Shall pass, like a dream, away.

But the world of our God endureth,
Whose arm is ever strong;
God stands in the midst of nations, and soon will right the wrong.
God shall feed the flock like a shepherd, the lambs so gently hold;
To pastures of peace will lead them, and bring them safe to fold.”

This hymns reminds us of John the Baptist, who heralded the coming of the new Messiah.   Often, on our journey in the wilderness,  we need someone to point us in the right direction.   This hymn commemorates the union in 1925 of the Canadian Congregational and Methodist churches with a large portion of the Canadian Presbyterian churches to form the United Church of Canada.  The author, James Lewis Milligan, a journalist and lay Methodist preacher, was the director of public relations for the uniting churches between 1922 and 1925.  Henry Hugh Bancroft, organist and choirmaster of All Saints’ Cathedral (Anglican) in Edmonton, composed the music.

Hear the hymn at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWkbuGFDbbk

“Advent Prayer Song”

“Breathe into this moment of peace with courage to let go,
Daring to dream.
For the days are surely coming when we’ll rise –
Strong together once again in peace.”

Our Advent prayer response was written by Nancy Chegus (2015).

“Jesus Came Bringing Us Peace” (MV #33)

“Jesus came bringing us peace,
Jesus came bringing us peace,
Jesus came bringing us peace,
Hallelujah, forever more!”

The words and music for this song come from a traditional Cameroon song. It was arranged for inclusion in More Voices in 2007.

“Every Valley”

The words for this week’s anthem by Patti Drennan, are adapted from Isaiah 40:4-5.  The theme is preparing for the birth of the Messiah, when every valley will be raised, every mountain made low, and every crooked path make straight.  Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed.

“Every valley shall be exalted, every mountain and hill made low,
the crooked straight and the rough places plain;
and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed;
And all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.”

“O Come, O Come Emmanuel” (VU #1)

“O come, O come, Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lowly exile here until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high and order all things, far and nigh;
To us the path of knowledge show and cause us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, Desire of nations, bin all peoples in one heart and mind;
Bid envy, strife, and quarrels cease, fill the whole world with Heaven’s peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!”

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is a well-known Advent hymn. While it is most commonly known by that English title, it is in fact a translation of the original Latin, “Veni, Veni, Emmanuel,” from the 9th century.

Hear the song by Selah to scenes from The Nativity at:

See The Piano Guys with scenes from the life of Jesus at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tP9U42m2wsI 

“Put Peace Into Each Other’s Hands” (MV #173)

“Put peace into each other’s hands and like a treasure hold it,
Protect it like a candle flame, with tenderness enfold it.

Put peace into each other’s hands with loving expectation;
Be gentle in your words and ways, in touch with God’s creation.

Put peace into each other’s hands like bread we break for sharing;
Look people warmly in the eye; our life is meant for caring.

Reach out in friendship, stay with faith in touch with those around you.
Put peace into each other’s hands; the Peace that sought and found you.”

This hymn with words by Fred Kaan and lyrics by Ron Klusmeier was first published in 2004.  The original title was “Hands Shaped Like a Cradle.” 

See the hymn sung in worship at: https://yout-u.be/HRJXEJDygbA

“God, Dismiss us With Your Blessing”

“God, dismiss us with your blessing;
Fill our hearts with joy and peace;
Let us each, your love possessing,
Triumph in redeeming grace;
O refresh us, O refresh us,
Travelling through the wilderness.”

The words for our benediction response were written by John Fawcett in 1773. We will be using the tune REGENT SQUARE, which is the tune for the Christmas carol, “Angels, from the Realms of Glory” (VU #36).

Bonus track – John Denver and Scooter sing “The Peace Carol”:

https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=iP5MwVdu3c0