Notes on the Notes – March 24, 2024

Palm Sunday

This week’s music:

“He Came Riding on a Donkey” (VU #124)

“He came riding on a donkey, he came riding into town;
Slow and easy kind of lowly he came riding with the dawn.
His disciples walked beside him, staying close, a little shy;
Not too sure where he would guide them, on to live or on to die.
But all the morning sang his praises; waking birds and dancing wind,
Here he is, the Son of David; riding on to take his throne.

Then the children gathered, singing, shouts of laughter, bursting cheer;
In the streets their song was ringing, “Hosannas” filled the morning air.
Timid adults strained to see him, caught the Spirit, joined the song;
Spread their cloaks along before him, branches flashing in the sun.
So all the city sang his praises; waking street and dancing crowd;
Here he is, the Son of David; our Messiah, Son of God.

In our fasting, and our feasting, called to follow in his way;
Called to walk his road to Easter, called to live his cross today.
Hosanna to the Son of David, hosanna in the heavens above;
Blessed is he who comes to save us, blessed is he who brings his love.
Let us join to sing his praises; open hearts and souls to God;
He is with us, Son of David; God’s Messiah, Christ the Lord.

Gordon Light of the Common Cup Company composed the text and tune of this song in 1986. The first two verses retell the Palm Sunday story, while the third verse brings us into the story as we respond and follow Jesus into Holy Week.

“How Deep the Peace” (MV #95)

“How deep the peace, the confidence, of those whose wrongs are forgiven.
How deep the peace, the confidence, of those whose hearts are healed.”

This short response is based on Psalm 32.  It was written by Linnea Good in 2004.

“Messiah”

“Someone’s shouting from the desert.
Someone’s shouting from the sea.
Someone’s shouting from the mountain.
Someone’s shouting from the valley.

Messiah, come and be our King.

Someone’s shouting from the city,
“I am young, I am cold.”
Someone’s shouting from the country,
“I am lonely, I am old.”

Messiah, come and be our King.

Someone’s shouting “I am broken.”
Someone’s shouting “Make me whole.”
Someone’s shouting “Come and change me.”
Someone’s shouting “Save my soul.”

Messiah, come and be our King.”

This song was written by Larry Olson in 1989.   Just as the ancient people longed for a someone to make their lives whole, this longing continues today.

“When They Heard That Jesus Was Coming” (MV #128)

“When they heard that Jesus was coming,
Sing hosanna to the chosen one!
All the people went out to meet him.
Sing hosanna to the chosen one!
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the chosen one!

Spread their cloaks and branches before him,
Sing hosanna to the chosen one!
Children sand with palm branches waving.
Sing hosanna to the chosen one!
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the chosen one!

Vision blest, and hope for the future,
Sing hosanna to the chosen one!
God’s beloved, radiant with glory.
Sing hosanna to the chosen one!
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the chosen one!

Rising sun, the light of the world,
Sing hosanna to the chosen one!
Word of life, who give us your Spirit.
Sing hosanna to the chosen one!
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna,
Sing hosanna to the chosen one!”

This modern Palm Sunday hymn was written in 1999 by Rory Cooney.  It echoes the language of early antiphons, with a call and response form and lots of repetition.  We will be using verses 1, 2, 6 and 9 of the hymn.

“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).

“All Glory, Laud and Honour” (VU #122)

“All glory, laud and honour to you, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.

You are the king of Israel, and David’s royal son,
Now in the Lord’s name coming, our King and blessed one.

The multitude of pilgrims with palms before you went;
Our praise and prayer and anthems before you we present.

To you, before your passion, they sang their hymns of praise;
To you, now high exalted, our melody we raise.

Their praises you accepted; accept the prayers we bring,
Great author of all goodness, O good and gracious king.”

The text for our closing Palm Sunday hymn is derived from a long (78 line) Latin hymn written by Theodulph, Bishop of Orleans (pre-798 C.E.) It was written as a processional hymn. In the Middle Ages, it was the custom for the clergy and choir to process within the church as well as in the church square and town. St. Theodulph of Orleans wrote “All Glory, Laud and Honor” while he was in prison, under suspicion of plotting against Emperor Louis I. Legend has it that King Louis passed the prison during the Palm Sunday procession while Theodulph sang this hymn from his window, which so delighted the king that he was immediately liberated. However, the unfortunate truth is that he probably remained imprisoned until his death in 821, possibly of poisoning. The tune, written in 1613, is also named for him (ST THEODULPH). The words follow the description of the triumphal entrance into Jerusalem as found in all four Gospels. The third verse reminds us that Palm Sunday is the precursor to Holy Week and Good Friday.

“From this Place of Prayer and Praising”

“From this place of prayer and praising, cross and table, well-worn pew,
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).