Notes on the Notes – February 12, 2023

Sixth Sunday of Epiphany

“Rules and Regulations” 

This week’s music:

“Love Knocks and Waits” (MV #94)

“Love knocks and waits for us to hear, to open and invite;
Love longs to quiet every fear, and seeks to set things right.

Love offers life, in spite of foes who threaten and condemn;
Embracing enemies, Love goes the second mile with them.

Love comes to heal the broken heart, to ease the troubled mind;
Without a word Love bids us start to ask and seek and find.

Love knocks and enters at the sound of welcome from within;
Love sings and dances all around, and feels new life begin.”

Our opening hymn has words written by Dan Damon in 1994 and is centered around the theme of Love. If we see God as Love, and are moved to treat everyone with love, how does our world change?  How do we change?  This week we will be using the tune from the hymn “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” as our melody.

“Love the Lord Your God”

“Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart.
Love the Lord, your God, with all your soul.
Love the Lord, your God, with all your mind,
Love the Lord, your God, with all that you are.”

This beautifully simple song was written by Jean and Jim Strathdee in 1991. The text is taken directly from the gospel of Matthew.

“Love One Another”

“Love is patient, love is kind.
Love is gentle, love divine.
Love forgives, is never rude.
Love rejoices in the truth.

Love one another, as God has also loved you.
Love one another, as God has also loved you.

Love is faithful, love is pure.
Love is hopeful, love endures.
Love is humble, love is strong.
Love is such a joyous song.”

This week’s anthem is based on 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and John 13:34. The words are by Roger Thornhill with music by Brad Nix.

“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 composed by Neil Dougall (1831).

“Love is the Touch”  (MV #89)

“Love is the touch of intangible joy;
Love is the force that no fear can destroy;
Love is the goodness we gladly applaud;
God is where love is, for love is of God.

Love is the lit in a lingering voice;
Love is the hope that can make us rejoice;
Love is the cure for the frightened and flawed;
God is where love is, for love is of God.

Love is the light in the tunnel of pain;
Love is the will to be whole once again;
Love is the trust of a friend on the road;
God is where love is, for love is of God.

Love is the Maker and Spirit and Son;
Love is the kingdom their will has begun;
Love is the path which the saints all have trod;
God is where love is, for love is of God.”

Our closing hymn, quotes 1 John 4:7 which says, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”  The words are by Alison M. Robertson (1998). We will be using the tune, OLDHAM, which we know as the tune from the hymn “Give to Us Laughter,” written by Ron Klusmeier in 1974.

“Show Us Christ in One Another” 

“Show us Christ in one another.
Make us servants strong and true.
Give us all your love of justice,
so we do what you would do.
Let us call all people holy.
Let us pledge our lives anew.
Make us one with all the lowly.
Let us all be one in you.”

The words for our benediction response were written by Marty Haugen (1985) and come from the hymn “God of Day and God of Darkness.”  We will be using the tune BEACH SPRING (1844).