Notes on the Notes – October 6, 2024

Creation 5
World Wide Communion Sunday

“God, Who Gives to Life Its Goodness” (VU #260)

“God who gives to life its goodness,
God creator of all joy,
God who gives to us our freedom,
God who blesses tool and toy;
Teach us now to laugh and praise you,
Deep within your praises sing,
Till the whole creation dances
For the goodness of its King.

God who fills the earth with beauty,
God who binds each friend to friend,
God who names us co-creators
God who wills that chaos end;
Grant us now creative spirits,
Minds responsive to your mind,
Hearts and wills your rule extending
All our acts by Love refined.”

Walter Farquharson wrote the words for this hymn of praise while on holiday with his family in Moose Mountain Provincial Park southeast of Regina.  It quickly became one of the favourite new hymns in The Hymn Book (1971).  The tune is called ABBOT’S LEIGH.  It was composed by the British hymnologist Cyril V. Taylor in 1941 at Abbot’s Leigh near Bristol, where he was working at the wartime office of the Religious Broadcasting Department of the BBC.

“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 Carolyn McDade and the arrangement is by Lydia Pedersen (2006).

“We Praise You, Creator” (VU #293)

“We praise you, Creator, in earth, sea, and sky:
Our Ruler, our Maker, our Sovereign most high.
Each new generation lifts voices in praise;
how good your creation, how gracious your ways!

Each springtime the blossoms bloom fragrant once more;
each summer and autumn brings forth its rich store.
With witness compelling our praise and our prayer,
creation is telling of your faithful care.

Your wondrous works teach us, Creator, to trace
the limitless reaches of your love and grace.
Your grace dwells among us, your love goes before:
from eldest to youngest we praise and adore.”

This hymn was originally in French, written by Edmund Louis Budry in 1904.  It was translated by Andrew Donaldson in 1993.  The words draw our attention to the wonders of God’s Creation, and how, in seeing the gifts of Creation and God’s love and grace for us, we lift our voices in song.  The tune, LYONS, is attributed to Johann Michael Haydn and was arranged for this text by William Gardiner in 1815. LYONS is also used as a tune for the hymn “O Worship the King.”

Hear the tune at:  https://youtu.be/jr6c1_vSVbw

“Sing Out Your Song, Christians of the World”

Today’s anthem, by Don Besig and Nancy Price was written in 1985.  Besig combines original music with one verse of the classic hymn “In Christ There is No East or West” with the tune ST. PETER.  On this World-Wide Communion Sunday, we are reminded of our unity of belief and purpose as Christians to live as followers of Jesus.

“Though we come from different places, though we speak in different ways,
So many creeds and different races, so many questions we must face.

But these things must not divide us.  We know our purpose is the same.
For we have chosen Christ to guide us; we are united in His name.

So sing out your song, Christians of the world.
Lift up your voices and let them be heard,
For the gospel of peace is the message we bring.
Rejoice in our Saviour and King!

It is the love of God which binds us; we all live within His care.
Through His word the Lord reminds us of the blessings that we share.
Each of us has many talents, which we share in many ways.
Together we will meet God’s challenge; we are united in our faith.

So sing out your song, Christians of the world.
Lift up your voices and let them be heard,
For the gospel of peace is the message we bring.
Rejoice in our Saviour and King!

In Christ there is no East or West, in Him no South or North;
But one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth.

So sing out your song, Christians of the world.
Lift up your voices and let them be heard,
For the gospel of peace is the message we bring.
Rejoice in our Saviour and King!
Rejoice, rejoice and sing!”

“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.

“All Who Hunger” (VU #460)

“All who hunger, gather gladly; holy manna is our bread.
Come from wilderness and wandering.  Here, in truth, we will be fed.
You that yearn for days of fullness, all around us is our food.
Taste and see the grace eternal. Taste and see that God is good.

All who hunger, never strangers; seeker, be a welcome guest.
Come from restlessness and roaming. Here, in joy, we keep the feast.
We that once were lost and scattered in communion’s love have stood.
Taste and see the grace eternal. Taste and see that God is good.

All who hunger, sing together; Jesus Christ is living bread.
Come from loneliness and longing. Here, in peace, we have been led.
Blest are those who from this table live their lives in gratitude.
Taste and see the grace eternal. Taste and see that God is good.”

Sylvia Dunstan wrote the hymn “All Who Hunger” in 1990 for the tune, HOLY MANNA, composed in 1825 by William Moore.  The arrangement used in Voices United is by David Kai. (Source: http://www.giamusic.com/bios/)

We learn from this hymn the nature of the sacrament of communion and how important it is for all who share it. Those who partake in this meal “yearn for days of fullness” (stanza one), are “never strangers” (stanza two), and will find that “Jesus Christ is living bread” (stanza three).   This is not a memorial hymn that recalls Christ’s suffering, but a joyful hymn of community to be shared at the table.  As the writer notes in stanza three, “Blest are those who from this table live their days in gratitude.”

Hear the song sung by Andrea Moran & the Bridge Band at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqVPd4JKsP8

“Sent Forth by God’s Blessing” (VU #481)

“Sent forth by God’s blessing, our true faith confessing,
The people of God from this dwelling take leave.
The supper is ended, O now be extended
The fruits of this service in all who believe.

The seed of Christ’s teaching, receptive souls reaching,
Shall blossom in action for God and for all.
God’s grace did invite us, God’s love shall unite us
To work for the kingdom and answer its call.

With praise and thanksgiving to God ever-living,
The tasks of our everyday life we will face.
Our faith ever sharing, in love ever caring,
Embracing God’s children of each tribe and race.

With your feast you feed us, with your light now lead us;
United us as one in this life that we share.
Then may all the living with praise and thanksgiving
Give honour to Christ and the name that we bear.”

The words for this post-communion hymn were written by Omer Westendorf, an organist, composer and music publisher in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Through the words we are reminded that worship is the “seed of Christ’s teaching” and that we are to go into the world, sharing God’s love with all.  This arrangement of “Llynn Onn,” a traditional Welsh folk tune, is by Leland Sateren, an American Lutheran organist and composer. We know the tune as THE ASH GROVE.

Hear the hymn at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTnBNtH2gMk

“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.

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