Notes on the Notes – February 7, 2021

This week’s music:

“We are One” (VU #402)

The tune for this hymn was composed in 1987 by Jeeva Sam of Regina, SK, a United Church minister.  The arrangement is by another United Church minister, David Kai, of Gloucester Ontario (1995) . Written especially for the music, the hymn text comes to us from a third United Church minister, Doreen Lankshear-Smith of Thunder Bay. The words remind us of our common journey as a faith community. We will be using the first 2 verses for our opening hymn. The third verse will be sung during communion. The final verse will be our benediction response.

“We are one as we come, as we come, joyful to be here,
In the praise on our lips there’s a sense that God is near.
We are one as we sing, as we seek, we are found;
And we come needful of God’s grace as we meet, together in this place.

We are one as we share; as we share brokenness and fear,
In the touch of a hand there’s a sense that God is here.
We are one as we care, as we heal, we are healed;
And we share warmth in God’s embrace as we pray together in this place.

We are one as we feast, as we feast, peace becomes the sign;
In the bread and the wine there’s a sense of love divine.
We are one as we come, as we feed, we are fed;
And we feel God’s refreshing grace as we meet at table in this place.

We are one as we hear, as we hear, heart and hand unite;
In the word we receive there’s a sense that God is light.
We are one as we leave, as we love, we are loved;
And we seek justice in God’s ways as we move together from this place.”

Hear the tune at:  https://youtu.be/g6BldTHfcz4

“You, God, are my Firmament” (VU #279)

“You, God, are my firmament,
Roof for my head,
Shelter from storm,
Nourishing bread,
Tender and warm.

You, God, are a tower of strength.
I shall not fear,
I shall not fall,
Knowing you’re near,
Guardian of all.

You, God, are my guiding light,
Beacon from birth,
Helping to see,
Lighting the earth,
Enlightening me.

I will give thanks,
I will sing praise
With all of my heart,
All of my days.”

Miriam Therese Winter is a professor of liturgy, worship and spirituality at Hartford Seminary.  Her name may also be familiar as composer and singer with the Medical Mission Sisters, especially for the song, “Joy is Like the Rain.”  She wrote this hymn in 1982 as a prayer of thanksgiving for Anna Dengel, the Austrian physician who founded the Medical Mission Sisters in 1925, and who died in 1980.

“The Power of Your Love”

This week’s anthem was written by Geoff Bullock, a member of Australia’s Hillsong Church team.   “In 2006 Angelica Del Vasto of Worship Leader Magazine wrote about Bullock’s song “The Power of Your Love” that it “encompasses the listener with… the empowering conviction that the Creator of the universe has done, and is doing, everything to convey His love to us. It compels us to face our own weaknesses and then fall into the arms of God.” … Bullock acknowledged its (the song’s) influence on his later life, saying “so many of the songs that I had written [earlier] were given new meaning as I had to live out their inspiration. It is far easier writing a song than having to live out its words.”

“Lord I come to You
Let my heart be changed, renewed
Flowing from the grace
That i have found in You
And Lord I have come to know
The weaknesses I see in me
Will be stripped away
By the power of Your love.

Hold me close
Let Your love surround me
Bring me near
Draw me to Your side
And as I wait
I will rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
In the power of Your love

Lord unveil my eyes
Let me see You face to face
The knowledge of Your love
As You live in me
And Lord renew my mind
As Your will unfolds in my life
In living every day
By the power of Your love…”

“Kingsfold Communion Set” (MV #203-205)

Holy, Holy, Holy
O holy, holy, holy God,
O God of time and space.
All earth and sea and sky above bear witness to your grace.
Hosanna in the highest heav’n, creation sings your praise.
And blessed is the One who comes and bears your name always!

Memorial Acclamation
Sing Christ has died and Christ is risen,
Christ will come again!
Sing Christ has died and Christ is risen,
Christ will come again!

Great Amen
Amen, amen, O Holy One! Hosanna and Amen!
Amen, amen, O Holy One! Hosanna and Amen!

This musical setting of three elements of the communion liturgy is by William S. Kervin and Paul Stott, using the traditional melody, KINGSFOLD.

“For Everyone Born”

“For everyone born, a place at the table,
For everyone born, clean water and bread,
A shelter, a space, a safe place for growing,
For everyone born, a star overhead,

For young and for old, a place at the table,
A voice to be heard, a part in the song,
The hands of a child in hands that are wrinkled,
For young and for old, the right to belong,

For everyone born, a place at the table,
To live without fear, and simply to be,
To work, to speak out, to witness and worship,
For everyone born, the right to be free,

And God will delight when we are creators
Of justice and joy, compassion and peace:
Yes, God will delight when we are creators of justice, justice and joy.“

The words for our closing hymn were written by Shirley Erena Murray. The music is by Joy F. Patterson. We will be using 3 of Murray’s five original verses. The hymn not only reflects human concerns, but it demonstrates God’s care and concern for humankind, shown through the refrain, in which God delights in those who create “justice, joy, compassion, and peace.” God is concerned about humanity’s well-being, is active in our lives, and uses people to make creation a better place for everyone and everything that dwells in it.