Notes on the Notes – June 12, 2022

Trinity Sunday 

This week’s music:

“Holy, Holy, Holy” (VU #315)

“Holy, holy, holy! Lord God almighty;
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!”

The words for this hymn are based on Revelations 4:8-11 and were written by Reginald Herber for use on Trinity Sunday.  It was first published in 1826.  The tune, NICAEA was composed by the Reverend John B. Dykes (1861).  It is named for the Council of Nicaea (325) where the doctrine of the Trinity, known as the Nicene Creed, was formulated.  This week we will be using the first, second and fourth verses of the hymn.

Hear the hymn at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWfM5iALo7k

“Jesus, Come to Our Hearts” (VU #324)

“Jesus, come to our hearts like falling rain;
Come to refresh, come to renew,
Wash all our sins away.

Spirit, come to our hearts like rushing wind;
Come with your fire, come with your life,
Blow all our doubts away.

Come, God, come to our hearts like shining sun;
Come to reveal, lighten your Word,
Drive all our gloom away.

Glory be to the Lamb that once was slain;
Praise for his life, praise for his death,
Praise that he lives again.

Praises be to our God, the three in one;
Praise for the sun, praise for the wind,
Praise for the falling rain.”

This hymn is from Alleluia Aotearoa (1993).  The text is by New Zealand hymn writer, William Worley.  The tune was arranged by David Dell.  The words of the hymn remind us of he Trinity, connecting each (God, Jesus, Spirit) to the natural world.

“Come and seek the ways of Wisdom, she who danced when earth was new.
Follow closely what she teaches, for her words are right and true.
Wisdom clears the path to justice, showing us what love must do.

Listen to the voice of Wisdom, crying in the marketplace.
Hear the Word made flesh among us, full of glory, truth, and grace.
When the word takes root and ripens, peace and righteousness embrace.

Sister Wisdom, come, assist us; nurture all who seek rebirth.
Spirit-guide and close companion, bring to light our sacred worth.
Free us to become your people, holy friends of God and earth.”

The words for this hymn were written by Ruth Duck in 1993.  She says, “In my sophomore Bible class at Rhodes College in Memphis, I learned about Lady Wisdom, an intriguing image of God found in Proverbs, Matthew, 1 Corinthians, and literature between the testaments.”   She created this hymn to attempt to express a trinitarian theology with this image. Sophia is the biblical Greek word for Wisdom, which is why Wisdom is often portrayed as female. In this hymn we see Wisdom as Creator, Word-with-us, and Spirit-guide.  The music is by Donna Kasbohm, a composer from the Twin Cities.

“Spirit God, Be Our Breath” (MV #150)

“Spirit God: be our breath, be our song.
Blow through us, bringing strength to move on.
Our world seems inward, defensive, withdrawn…
Spirit God, be our song.

Patient God: soothe our pride, calm our fear.
Comfort us.
When we know you are near we grow more certain, our vision is clear.
Patient God, calm our fear.

Loving God: be our voice, be our prayer.
Reaching out, joining hands as we share,
We seek your guidance through friendship and care.
Loving God, be our prayer.

Spirit God: be our breath, be our song.
Blow through us, bringing strength to move on.
Through change, through challenge, we’ll greet the new dawn.
Spirit God, be our song.”

This song, with words and music by Bruce Harding, was written in 1997.   The lyrics are a sung prayer that God be with us through the changes that we will see as we move forward in faith.

Hear the song: http://www.windsorparkunitedchurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Spirit-God-Be-Our-Breath-Embracing-Change.m4a?_=1

“May the Grace of Christ”

“May the grace of Christ attend us,
And the love of God surround us,
And the Holy Spirit keep us,
Now and ever, always.
Amen, amen, forever and ever,
Amen.”

Our benediction response was written by Jeeva Sam.