Notes on the Notes – April 21, 2024

Fourth Sunday of Easter

This week’s music:

“God of Freedom, God of Justice” (VU #700)

God of freedom, God of justice, you whose love is strong as death,
you who saw the dark of prison, you who knew the price of faith:
touch our world of sad oppression with your Spirit’s healing breath.

Rid the earth of torture’s terror, you whose hands were nailed to wood;
hear the cries of pain and protest, you who shed the tears and blood:
move in us the power of pity restless for the common good.

Make in us a captive conscience quick to hear, to act, to plead;
make us truly sisters, brothers of whatever race or creed:
teach us to be fully human, open to each other’s need.”

Shirley Erena Murray wrote this hymn in 1980 for a Prisoners of Conscience service held in support of Amnesty International’s Campaign Against Torture.

The melody of the hymn, PICARDY comes from a 17th century French carol.   Its name comes from the province of France from where it is thought to originate. The tune dates back at least to the 17th century, and was originally used for the folk song “Jésus-Christ s’habille en pauvre”. First published in the 1848 collection Chansons popularies des provences de France, “Picardy” was most famously arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1906 for the hymn “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”, in The English Hymnal, the words of which are taken from the Byzantine Greek Liturgy of St. James.

Watch a handbell solo/string ensemble performance of the melody at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayXd5M0Cxx8

“Alleluia” (MV #50)

“Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.”

Our sung response to the Words of Assurance has music written by Norah Duncan IV (1987).

“What Does the Lord Require of You” (VU #701)

“What does the Lord require of you?

Justice, kindness, walk humbly with your God.

To seek justice, and love kindness,
And walk humbly with your God.”

“What does the Lord require of you?” is a Scripture song based on Micah 6:8. The three melodies are able to interlock, creating beautiful harmony while reinforcing the message.  It was written by Jim Strathdee in 1986.

“As We Chart Our Course”

“As we chart our course for tomorrow,
And we set our sights on our goal,
When we join to forge a new vision,
Making all relationships whole,
When we walk together as pilgrims,
We will rise to crisis and test.
And when we make room for the Spirit,
We will find our journey is blessed.

We are called to follow our purpose,
Forming bridges, building up lives.
By rekindling zeal in our mission,
Our community comes alive.
As we strive to fashion disciples,
Serving neighbours, helping the weak,
Than we’ll claim our role as a beacon
For the brighter future we seek.

When we find ourselves at the crossroads,
Let our focus firmly be laid
On horizons bright with potential,
Not on burdens we would evade.
Witness to an undying message
In the Good News we have to share.
When we foster hope and compassion,
We will find God’s presence is there.”

Allan Baer, of Kingston, Ontario,  wrote the words and music for this hymn in 2009.  The song was written when Allan’s congregation was contemplating amalgamation with another church and they were working through the idea of change and what it would mean for their community. (Source: https://www.crossroadsunited.ca/spirit/)  The church as a whole, however, is in a constant state of change.  Will we journey forward with purpose and intent, or sit quietly in our corner, hoping for the best?  On this Annual Meeting Sunday, how do Allan’s words speak to us, as members of Windsor Park United Church?

“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 for the Easter season 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).

“Deep in Our Hearts” (MV #154)

“Deep in our hearts there is a common vision;
Deep in our hearts there is a common song;
Deep in our hearts there is a common story,
Telling creation that we are one.

Deep in our hearts there is a common purpose;
Deep in our hearts there is a common goal;
Deep in our hearts there is a sacred message,
Justice and peace in harmony.

Deep in our hearts there is a common longing;
Deep in our hearts there is a common theme;
Deep in our hearts there is a common current,
Flowing to freedom like a stream.

Deep in our hearts there is a common vision;
Deep in our hearts there is a common song;
Deep in our hearts there is a common story,
Telling Creation that we are one.”

This song, with words by John Oldham and music by Ron Klusmeier, speaks to the human longing for the divine that is common across time and faith divisions.  It was written in 1996.

See the song, with Ron Klusmeier at the piano at:  https://youtu.be/YnZaO8udMcQ

“Amen” (VU #974)

“Amen, amen, hallelujah, amen!
Amen, amen, hallelujah, amen!”

Our benediction response was written by Jim Strathdee (1985).