Notes on the Notes – September 8, 2024

First Sunday in the Season of Creation
Welcome Sunday

This week’s music: 

“Come In, Come in and Sit Down” (VU #395)

“Come in, come in and sit down,
You are a part of the family.
We are lost and we are found,
And we are a part of the family.

You know the reason why you came,
Yet no reason can explain;
So share in the laughter and cry in the pain,
For we are a part of the family.

God is with us in this place,
Like a mother’s warm embrace.
We’re all forgiven by God’s grace,
For we are a part of the family.

There’s life to be shared in the bread and the wine,
We are the branches, Christ is the vine.
This is God’s temple, it’s not yours or mine,
But we are a part of the family.

There’s rest for the weary and health for us all;
There’s a yoke that is easy, and a burden that’s small.
So come in and worship and answer the call,
For we are a part of the family.”

This song became known to United Church congregations in the arrangement made by Darryl Nixon for the hymn book supplement Songs for a Gospel People (1987). Singer songwriter James K. Manley, the composer of this hymn, is a minister in the United Church of Christ (USA). “Part of the Family” reminds both members and visitors that our congregation is an open, diverse group that welcomes people of all ages, every marital status, and all views, interest levels, and stages in the faith journey.

Hear the hymn sung by Strathroy United Church at:  https://youtu.be/gIz4FQYBF04

“O Beautiful Gaia” (MV #41)

“O beautiful Gaia,
O Gaia, calling us home.
O beautiful Gaia,
Calling us on.”

The term Gaia (guy-ah) represents “Mother Earth,” inviting us to live into our care and respect for all creation. It asks us to consider our relationship to the earth in the context of our faith. During the Season of Creation, we will be using the chorus as our response to the Words of Assurance.  The words and music are by Caroly McDade and the arrangement is by Lydia Pedersen (2006).

“With Open Hearts”

“With open hearts, open arms, open minds
there is welcome in this place, there is welcome in this space,
there is welcome with embrace, with open hearts.

A place of caring and acceptance,
Openness and trust, actions that are just.
All are welcome here, a place of belonging.

With open hearts, open arms, open minds
there is welcome in this place, there is welcome in this space,
there is welcome with embrace, with open hearts.

A place for risking and affirming,
Radical and bold, no one fits a mold.
All are welcome here, a place of inclusion.

With open hearts, open arms, open minds
there is welcome in this place, there is welcome in this space,
there is welcome with embrace, with open hearts.

A place for healing and releasing
brokenness and pain, hurt that’s been sustained.
All are welcome here, a place for receiving.

With open hearts, open arms, open minds
there is welcome in this place, there is welcome in this space,
there is welcome with embrace, with open hearts.

A place to question and to wonder,
liberating views, relevant and new.
All are welcome here, a place for engaging.

With open hearts, open arms, open minds
there is welcome in this place, there is welcome in this space,
there is welcome with embrace, with open hearts.”

Though the words of this song, we commit to being a welcoming and safe space.  The words and music were written by Mary-Ellen Kish (2008) and arranged by Gwen Chapman. The song can be found in the collection “Songs for the Holy Other.” 

“For the Gift of Creation” (VU #538)

“For the gift of creation, the gift of your love,
And the gift of the Spirit by which we live,
We thank you and give you the fruit of our hands.
May your grace be proclaimed by the gifts that we give.”

Our offering dedication is from the United Methodist Book of Worship (1991) and is especially appropriate during the season of Creation.  The composer, Steve Garnaas-Holmes is a United Methodist pastor in Montana.

“Take My Life and Let it Be” (VU #506)

“Take my life, and let it be consecrated, all for thee;
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love;
Take my feet, and let them be swift and purposeful for thee.

Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from thee;
Take my intellect, and use every power as thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it thine; it shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love: and I will pour at thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee.”

This hymn was written by Frances Ridley Havergal early in 1874 to celebrate a period of religious awakening at a household where she was visiting.  The words express our commitment of our entire selves to God, with verses offering our life, time, hands, feet, lips, intellect, will, heart, love and whole self.  The anonymous tune is derived from the “Kyrie” of a mass long thought to have been composed by Mozart.

Hear the hymn sung with piano accompaniment at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf11rReeWIs

“When You Walk from Here” (VU #298)

“When you walk from here,
When you walk from here,
Walk with justice, walk with mercy,
And with God’s humble care.”

Our benediction response was written by Linnea Good of Vancouver.  It was published in Stickpeople (1993).  The text is derived from Micah 6:8.

Here the song at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvd2PUoEj9g