Notes on the Notes – June 25, 2023

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

This week’s music:

“When We Come Together”

“When we come together gladly
Our community grows strong.
When we meet to tell our story,
When we join to sing our song,
We are celebrating friendship,
We are building bonds of peace;
Pass a vision to each other;
Let God’s spirit never cease.

All are welcome at our table
To be nourished by the Word.
Christ extends the invitation,
We respond as we have heard.
He does not demand perfection
When we worship in his name,
For the last shall be the first here;
God forgives us just the same.

In our crowded lives we’re searching
For a meaning we can share.
Will we find some room for patience,
Will we take the time to care?
But when two or more are gathered,
Christ will be there with us too,
Then the Spirit grows among us,
Giving joy to all we do.”

This song was written by Allan Baer in 2007.

“The words of the first verse of this song were written on the back of a napkin at a church potluck dinner while waiting for our table to be called. Food always seems to be a joyous occasion to come together, and what is nourished is not just our stomachs, but also our sense of community. No wonder the most important ritual of the Christian faith – communion (called the eucharist in other traditions) – centres around food, and often goes by the name “the Lord’s Supper.” Yet that first communion was followed soon after by denial, betrayal and abandonment. Christ’s “inner circle” often missed the point of his parables and squabbled over who was the top disciple. But just as Christ didn’t wait until his imperfect disciples had improved themselves, neither should we expect that any who attend worship are somehow “better people.” In worship we seek to reconcile ourselves to God’s vision for us, from which we all have fallen short. In community, even if only two or three, we can re-imagine that vision, and then work together to bring that vision to life.”
(Source: https://www.crossroadsunited.ca/spirit/)

“My Love Colours Outside the Lines” (MV #138)

“My love colours outside the lines,
Exploring paths that few could ever find;
And takes me into places where I’ve never been before,
And opens doors to worlds outside the lines.

My Lord colours outside the lines,
Turns wounds to blessings, water into wine;
And takes me into places where I’ve never been before
And opens doors to worlds outside the lines.

We’ll never walk on water if we’re not prepared to drown,
Body and soul need a soaking from time to time.
And we’ll never move the gravestones if we’re not prepared to die,
And realize there are worlds outside the lines.

My soul longs to colour outside the lines,
Tear back the curtains, sun, come in and shine;
I want to walk beyond the boundaries where I’ve never been before,
Throw open doors to worlds outside the lines.”

This song is by Gordon Light (1995) of the Common Cup Company, arranged for More Voices by Andrew Donaldson.  It speaks to our longing to follow God’s call, and gently encourages us to overcome our fear of stepping out of our comfort zone in order to do so.  Read a blog post on the subject of colouring outside the lines at:  https://indianapolisfaith.org/2019/05/05/coloring-outside-the-lines/

Hear the song recorded by the Praise Team in 2021:

“The Power of Your Love”  

“Lord, I come to You,
Let my heart be changed, renewed,
Flowing from the grace that I’ve found in You.
And Lord, I’ve 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’ll 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.
Lord renew my mind as Your will unfolds in my life
In living every day in 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.”

The song speaks directly to God as we ask for God’s love to surround us, change us, make us strong and give us the power to live our lives for God.

“What Can I Do?” (MV #191)

“What can I do?  What can I bring?
What can I say?  What can I sing?
I’ll sing with joy.  I’ll say a prayer.
I’ll bring my love.  I’ll do my share”

This joyful song of offering and dedication was written by Paul Rumbolt and Michele McCarthy (2005). The arrangement in More Voices is by Alan C. Whitmore. We will be using it as our offering response for the month of June.

“Called as Partners in Christ’s service”

“Called as partners in Christ’s service,
Called to ministries of grace,
We respond with deep commitment
Fresh new lines of faith to trace.
May we learn the art of sharing,
Side by side and friend with friend,
Equal partners in our caring
To fulfill God’s chosen end.

Christ’s example, Christ’s inspiring,
Christ’s clear call to work and worth,
Let us follow, never faltering,
Reconciling folk on earth.
Men and women, richer, poorer,
All God’s people, young and old,
Blending human skills together
Gracious gifts from God unfold.

So, God grant us for tomorrow
Ways to order human life
That surround each person’s sorrow
With a calm that conquers strife.
Make us partners in our living,
Our compassion to increase,
Messengers of faith, thus giving
Hope and confidence and peace.”

This words for this our closing hymn were written by Jane Parker Huber in 1981.  The words are a commissioning to go into the world with a deep commitment to live the life of a follower of Jesus, bringing our faith into all of our actions. The tune, BEECHER, was composed by John Zundel in 1870.

“A Benediction”  

“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.

Thank you to members of the Worship Choir
for providing music leadership for this week’s service.