Notes on the Notes – January 29, 2023

Fourth Sunday of Epiphany

This week’s music: 

“Spirit, Open My Heart” (MV #79)

“Spirit, open my heart to the joy and pain of living.
As you love may I love, in receiving and in giving, Spirit, open my heart.

God, replace my stony heart with a heart that’s kind and tender.
All my coldness and fear to your grace I now surrender.

Write your love upon my heart as my law, my goal, my story.
In each thought, word, and deed, may my living bring you glory.

May I weep with those who weep, share the joy of sister, brother.
In the welcome of Christ, may we welcome one another.”

The words for this hymn were written by Ruth Duck in 1994. The hymn is an plea to God to (re-)open our hearts to the natural feelings of the human life that, over time, we may have become less responsive to.  It reminds us that, if God’s love is our guiding principle, we will live our lives and respond to others differently.  This hymn connects to Psalm 51,  which expresses the desire to have God create in us a clean/new heart, to better serve God and the world.

The words are sung to the traditional Irish melody WILD MOUNTAIN THYME, which was arranged by Arthur G. Clyde in 1997.

Hear an instrumental version of the tune at: https://youtu.be/5UnHsbWZss4

Hear the hymn sung at Geneva Presbyterian Church at:  https://youtu.be/SrxqxL4_2qM

“Blessed are the Poor in Spirit”

“Blessed are the poor in spirit; all God’s realm is surely theirs.
Those in mourning will find comfort as an answer to their prayers.
Meek ones whom this world despises will inherit everything.
God, your kingdom still surprises; may we seek the reign you bring.

Blessed, too, are those who hunger and who thirst for what is right.
They will not be prone to wander, for your will is their delight.
Those who show God’s care and mercy will receive that mercy too.
God, in Christ you show us clearly of the joy we have in you.

Those who share the peace God gives them will find blessings as God’s own.
Those oppressed for faithful living will call heaven’s kingdom Home.
When the world’s ways seem distressing and we feel life’s painful sting,
God, remind us of the blessings of the wondrous life you bring.”

The text for this hymn is by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2009) and is a paraphrase of the Beatitudes. The hymn is part of “The Sermon on the Mount: A Worship Service of Lessons and Songs” by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette that is patterned after the “Service of Lessons and Carols for Christmas,” and is based on Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 5-7.  We will be singing the hymn to the tune NETTLETON, which may be familiar as the tune for the hymn “Come, Thou Font of Every Blessing.”

Hear the tune on piano at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h69_DRq-MFA

“Jesus, Teach Me”

“Jesus, teach me what I need to know.
Guide and lead me where I need to go.
In everything I say and do, teach me how to love like You.

Shine Your heavenly light.
Touch me and open my eyes.
As I go through the day, Lord, let me follow Your way.

Lord, the sound of Your voice fills me with comfort and joy.
Now I know I must start listening with all of my heart….”

This week’s anthem is by Bert Stratton and Vicki Tucker Courtney. It was published in 2010. The simple melody and words are a prayer for Jesus to help us to know and live by his teachings.

“Your Work, O God, Needs Many Hands” (VU #537)

“Your work, O God, needs many hands to help you everywhere,
And some there are who cannot serve unless our gifts we share.
Because we love you and your work, our offering now we make:
Be pleased to use it as your own, we ask for Jesus’ sake.”

Our offering response was written by Calvin Weiss Laufer in 1927, set to music by Neil Dougall (1831).

“From This Holy Time”

“From this holy time, from this sacred space,
We go now to serve our own day and place,
Committed to follow the way Jesus trod:
Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God.

He lives in our midst, through gone from our sight,
Baptized in his name, we walk in his light;
We treasure his presence, example and word:
Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God.

Let this be our life, till Christ comes again –
To love as he loves and work for God’s reign,
This song in our hearts and this sign on our road:
Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God.”

The text for our closing hymn was written by Marnie Barrell.  Marnie Barrell is a hymn writer and piano teacher living in Christchurch, New Zealand and teaching at Christchurch School of Music. The words of the hymn commission us to go out into the world, following Jesus’ teachings and guided by the words of Micah 6:8.  We will be using the hymn tune, LYONS.

Hear the tune played on piano at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6GgAVlZgak

“We Will Follow” 

“Loving mercy, we will follow Jesus,
Loving mercy, follow faithfully.
Loving mercy, we will follow Jesus.
Everywhere he goes, we will follow.

Loving justice, we will follow Jesus,
Loving justice, follow faithfully.
Loving justice, we will follow Jesus.
Everywhere he goes, we will follow.

Loving kindness, we will follow Jesus,
Loving kindness, follow faithfully.
Loving kindness, we will follow Jesus.
Everywhere he goes, we will follow.” 

This week’s benediction response is the tune Som’landela with alternate words again referencing the reading from Micah.