Notes on the Notes – February 25, 2024

Second Sunday in Lent 

This week’s music: 

“Take Time to Be Holy” (VU #672)

“Take time to be holy, speak oft with your Lord;
Abide in him always, and feed on his word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing his blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy, let him be your guide,
And run not before him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in his word.

Take time to be holy, be calm in your soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath his control.
Thus led by his spirit to fountains of love,
You soon shall be fitted for service above.”

The words for our opening hymn invite us to prioritize the sense of the holy and our connection with the divine, trusting that God always wants what is best for us.  William D. Longstaff, an English businessman, wrote this hymn at an annual Keswick Convention in response to an account of the work of Griffith Jones, a missionary in China who was reported to have been preaching on the subject of holiness.   The composer, George C. Stebbins, wrote the tune while working on an evangelical campaign in India; it was published in 1890.

Hear the Dallas Christian Adult Concert Choir at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFApbg-wcmE

“How Deep the Peace” (MV #95)

            “How deep the peace, the confidence
            Of those whose hearts are forgiven.
            How deep the peace, the confidence
            Of those who hearts are healed.”

Our response to the Words of Assurance for the season of Lent is based on Psalm 32.  Having left our concerns with God through prayer, we hear of God’s unfailing love. This hymn was written by Linnea Good in 2004.

“To Abraham and Sarah” (VU #634)

“To Abraham and Sarah the call of God was clear;
‘Go forth and I will show you a country rich and fair.
You need not fear the journey for I have pledged my word:
That you shall be my people and I will be your God.’

From Abraham and Sarah arose a pilgrim race,
Dependent for their journey on God’s abundant grace;
And in their heart was written by God this saving word:
That ‘you shall be my people and I will be your God.’

We of this generation on whom God’s hand is laid,
Can journey to the future secure and unafraid,
Rejoicing in God’s goodness and trusting in this word:
That ‘you shall be my people and I will be your God.’”

Judith Fetter wrote the words for this hymn in 1984.  It is based on the call of Abraham in the book of Genesis.  The text is grounded in the recurring statement of the covenant relationship between God and the people God has chosen.  From Abraham and Sarah through to the present day, God has made a covenant with the people and we trust in that covenant as we move forward in faith.  The melody, THORNBURY, was written by English organist and composer, Basil Harwood, in 1898 for the hymn, “Your Hand, O God, has Guided.” 

Hear the melody at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6tgAj60kWk

“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.

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.

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

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,
Teach me how to love,
Teach me how to love like You.”

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.

“These Lenten Gifts We Bring”

“These Lenten gifts we bring,
Our living faith expressed,
We offer them, most lovingly,
And thus our hearts are blessed.

O loving God receive
These gifts we gladly give,
That show our faith and hope and trust;
Your way we seek to live.”

Our Lenten offering response uses the tune FRANCONIA (VU #542), which was written by Johann Balthasar Konig (1738) and adapted by William Henry Havergal (1847).

“God, as We Rise to Leave” (VU #417)

“God, as we rise to leave this shell of worship,
Called to the risk of unprotected living,
Willing to be at one with all your people,
We ask for courage.

For all the strain with living interwoven,
For the demands each day will make upon us,
And for the love we owe the modern city,
God, make us cheerful.

Give us an eye for openings to serve you;
Make us alert when calm is interrupted,
Ready and wise to use the unexpected;
Sharpen our insight.

Lift from our life the blanket of convention;
Give us the nerve to lose our life to others;
Be with your church in death and resurrection,
God of all ages.”

This hymn by 20th-century hymn writer Fred Kaan (1968) is paired with the melody LOBET DEN HERREN by Johan Cruger (1653).  The lyrics ask God to be with us as we go into the world, with all of its stresses and demands.

See the hymn sung in worship at Strathroy United Church:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjQ0YET0wPA

“From this Place of Prayer and Praising”

“From this place of prayer and praising, cross and table, well-worn pews,
God, we leave to work and witness, living every day for you.
Bless us on our Lenten journey, Loving Parent, Holy Friend;
Spirit, guide your people onward till once more we meet again.”

Our benediction response for the the season of Lent will be sung to the familiar hymn tune, BEACH SPRING (VU #374).