Notes on the Notes – October 15, 2023

 World Food Sunday

This week’s music:

“Give Thanks, My Soul, for Harvest” (VU #522)

“Give thanks, my soul, for harvest, for store of fruit and grain,
But know the owner gives so that we may share again.
Where people suffer hunger, or little children cry,
With gifts from God’s rich bounty may thankfulness reply.

Give thanks, my soul, for riches of woodland, mine, and hill,
But know that gold and timber are the Creator’s still.
God lends to us, as stewards, abundance we might share,
And thus provide earth’s children the blessing of God’s care.

Give thanks, my soul, for labours, that strength and days employ,
But know the Maker’s purpose brings toil as well as joy.
Show forth, O God, your purpose; direct our will and hand
To share your love and bounty with all in every land.”

This hymn was written in 1960 to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the department of Stewardship and Benevolence of the National Council of Churches (USA).  As with other contemporary harvest expressions, the words draw our attention in the midst of celebration to the need for sharing of resources and care of the earth.

The words are set to the German tune, MUNICH, which was in use as early as the 16th century.  It was adapted by J.S. Bach for Cantatas 24 and 71, and by Felix Mendelssohn for his oratorio Elijah (1846).  The tune is also used for the hymn, “O Christ, the Word Incarnate” (VU #499).

Hear the melody on organ at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w30Q6jDKNZE

“Make Me a Servant”

“Make me a servant, humble and meek.
Lord, let me lift up those who are weak.
And may the prayer of my heart always be:
Make me a servant, make me a servant, make me a servant today.”

Our scripture response this week is by Kelly Willard (1982) and is based on John 13:14-16.

Hear a contemplative version of the song at:  https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=aPZy5HKn9AY

“Abundant Life”

“We cannot own the sunlit sky, the moon, the wildflowers growing,
For we are part of all that is within life’s river flowing.
With open hands receive and share the gifts of God’s creation,
That all may have abundant life in every earthly nation.

When children have no bread but tears, and fond hopes die a-borning,
When bodies shiver in the night and weary, wait for morning,
God calls humanity to wake, to join in common labour,
That all may have abundant life in oneness with their neighbour.

God calls humanity to join as partners in creating
A world that’s free from want and fear, life’s goodness celebrating,
That world, it beckons bright and fair, invites our gifts, our labour,
That all may have abundant life in oneness with their neighbour.

This week’s anthem has words written by Ruth Duck and music by Ron Klusmeier and reminds us of our role in sharing God’s abundance with all humanity.

Hear the song by The Harmony Singers:

“Grant Us, God, the Grace of Giving” (VU #540)

“Grant Us, God, the grace of giving,
With a spirit large and free,
That ourselves and all our living
We may offer faithfully.”

The text of our offering response comes from the Mennonite hymn book, “Hymnal: a Worship Book.” The tune is a familiar one which is also used for the Advent hymn “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”  (VU #2).

“O For a World” (VU #697)

“O for a world where everyone respects each other’s ways,
Where love is lived and all is done with justice and with praise.

O for a world where goods are shared and misery relieved,
Where truth is spoken, children spared, equality achieved.

We welcome one world family and struggle with each choice
That opens us to unity and gives our vision voice.

The poor are rich, the weak are strong, the foolish ones are wise.
Tell all who mourn: outcasts belong, who perishes will rise.

O for a world preparing for God’s glorious reign of peace,
Where time and tears will be no more, and all but love will cease.”

Miriam Therese Winter, a professor of liturgy and worship at Hartford Seminary in Connecticut, wrote this hymn for a Presbyterian Women’s Triennial Conference.  It was later re-crafted and recorded by the Medical Mission Sisters.  The tune AMZON is a German tune, more familiarly known as the tune for the hymn “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing.”

Hear the hymn sung in worship at Strathroy United Church:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vALZ-m7b8s

“Sent Out in Jesus’ Name” (MV #212)

“Sent out in Jesus’ name, our hands are ready now
To make the world the place in which the kingdom comes.

The angels cannot change a world of hurt and pain
Into a world of love, of justice and of peace.
The task is ours to do, to set it really free.
O, help us to obey, and carry out your will.

Sent out in Jesus’ name, our hands are ready now
To make the world the place in which the kingdom comes.”

The words and music are from the traditional song, Enviado soy de Dios, from Cuba.  The English translation is by Jorge Maldonado, who also arranged the song for More Voices in 2007.  As we leave worship, we are reminded that we are Christ’s hands in the world.

Hear the song at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFukG02ABOI