Notes on the Notes – January 21, 2024

Third Sunday after Epiphany

This week’s music will be led by the musicians at Windsor Park United Church:

“Behold, Behold, I Make All Things New”  (MV #115)

“Behold, behold,
I make all things new, beginning with you
and starting from today.
Behold, behold, 
I make all things new, my promise is true,
For I am Christ the way.” 

Our gathering song for the month of January was written by John L. Bell in 1995.

Hear the song at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Xgmsynls3k

“Jesus Calls Us” (VU #562)

“Jesus calls us, o’er the tumult of our life’s wild restless sea,
Day by day his clear voice sounding, saying, “Christian, follow me.”

Long ago apostles heard it by the Galilean lake,
Turned from home and toil and kindred, leaving all for Jesus’ sake.

Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world’s golden store,
From each idol that would keep us, saying, “Christian, love me more.”

In our joys and in our sorrows, days of toil and hours of ease,
Still he calls, in cares and pleasures, “Christian, love me more than these.”

Jesus calls us: by your mercies, Saviour, may we hear your call,
Give our hearts to your obedience, serve and love you best of all.”

This hymn is based on Matthew 4:18-20, the calling of the first disciples of Jesus.  The words were written by Cecil Francis Alexander in 1852.  The melody, GALILEE, was composed for this text by William Herbert Jude in 1874.

The first verse of this hymn begins, “Jesus calls us o’er the tumult of our life’s wild, restless sea”—acknowledging the call of those first disciples by the Sea of Galilee.  A recurring theme is “Christian, love me more”—”Christian, love me more than these” —”serve and love thee best of all.”  Those words were inspired by John 21:15, where Jesus, after the resurrection, asked Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”  The hymn acknowledges Jesus’ claim, not only over the lives of those first four disciples, but over the lives of every Christian.  (Source:  Sermon Writer https://www.sermonwriter.com/hymn-stories/jesus-calls-us-oer-tumult/)

Hear the song on piano at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vir9cxM1FGs

“There is No One Like Jesus” 

“O there is no one like my Jesus,
O there is no one like my Jesus,
O there is no one like my Jesus,
Forever and ever it will be! Sing halleluia!

I’ve walked around and there’s none like Him.
I’ve searched around and there’s non like Him.
I’ve gone around and there’s none like Him.
Forever and ever it will be! Sing halleluia!”

This traditional East African Song is arranged by Joseph M. Martin. It is a popular worship song in Kenya. The words are an assurance that, even after all of our searching and looking, there is truly no one like Jesus.

“Jesus Saw Them Fishing” aka “Fish With Me” (MV #113) 

“Jesus saw them fishing by the shore of Galilee,
Casting out their nets into the sea.
Simon Peter, Andrew and the sons of Zebedee,
Waiting in their boats so patiently.

And Jesus said, “Oh, come and follow me.
Oh, leave behind your nets. I call you.
Oh, come and fish with me,
And your life will never be the same again.”

A rich young person came to Jesus looking for advice.
“How can I obtain eternal life?”
Jesus told him, “Honor the commandments of the Lord.
Then sell off all your riches for the poor.”

And Jesus said, “Oh, come and follow me.
Oh, leave behind your nets. I call you.
Oh, come and fish with me,
And your life will never be the same again.”

“If you want to follow me deny your very self.
Take up your cross and walk the walk with me.
This might seem a hardship, an impossibility,
But nothing is impossible with God.”

And Jesus said, “Oh, come and follow me.
Oh, leave behind your nets. I call you.
Oh, come and fish with me,
And your life will never be the same again.”

The text of this song is based on Matthew 4:18-22; 16:24-26; 19:16-21, 25-26 and provides a retelling of the calling of the first disciples.  It was written in 2002 by Ken Canedo.

Hear the Praise Singers (2021):

“Jesus, You Have Come to the Lakeshore” (VU #563)

“Jesus, you have come to the lakeshore looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones;
You only asked me to follow humbly.

You know so well my possessions; my boat carries no gold and no weapons;
You will find there my nets and labour.

You need my hands, full of caring through my labours to give others rest,
And constant love that keeps on loving.

You, who have fished other oceans, ever longed for by souls who are waiting,
My loving friend, as thus you call me:

O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me,
And while smiling, have spoken my name;
Now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me;
By your side I will seek other seas.”

This hymn is written as an intimate response to Jesus from the perspective of the first fishermen called. The gentle rocking motion of the music is reminiscent of a boat rocking on the water. Written in Spanish by Cesdrea Gabardin in 1979, it was translated to English by Gertrude C. Suppe, George Lockwood, and Raquel Guiterrez–Achon in 1987.

Hear the Harmony Singers (2023):

“I Praise You, O God” (MV #61) 

“I praise you, O God, with all of my heart.
With all the earth I will sing your praises.”

Our offering response for the month of January has words and music by David Robertson (2005) and was inspired by Psalm 138:1.

Hear this response at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLIH4X43Dxc

“And When You Call for Me” (MV #96)

“And when you call for me, I have already answered.
And when you call for me, I am already there.”

This sung introduction to prayer was written by Lynn Bauman in 2000, with music by Linnea Good (2004).

“Lead Me, Lord” 

“Lead me, Lord, I will follow.
Lead me, Lord, I will go.
You have called me, I will answer.
Lead me, Lord, I will go.”

Our closing song was written by Wayne and Elizabeth Goodine in 1994.   As we come to the end of worship, we make our commitment to follow Jesus throughout the coming week.

Hear the Harmony Singers (2021):

“Go Now in Peace, Guided by the Light” (MV #211)

This commissioning and prayer for guidance was originally written in Spanish (“Vayan en paz”) by Pedro Rubalcava in 2002.  It was arranged by Peter Kolar, also in 2002.

“Go now in peace, guided by the light of Christ,
So you may be nourished by the Word of Life.”