Notes on the Notes – February 9, 2025
This week’s music:
“Jesus Calls Us” (VU #562)
“Jesus calls us, o’er the tumult of our life’s wild restless sea,
Day by day his clear voice sounding, saying, “Christian, follow me.”
Long ago apostles heard it by the Galilean lake,
Turned from home and toil and kindred, leaving all for Jesus’ sake.
Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world’s golden store,
From each idol that would keep us, saying, “Christian, love me more.”
In our joys and in our sorrows, days of toil and hours of ease,
Still he calls, in cares and pleasures, “Christian, love me more than these.”
Jesus calls us: by your mercies, Saviour, may we hear your call,
Give our hearts to your obedience, serve and love you best of all.”
This hymn is based on the calling of the first disciples of Jesus, as found in the Gospels. The words were written by Cecil Francis Alexander in 1852. The melody, GALILEE, was composed for this text by William Herbert Jude in 1874.
The first verse of this hymn begins, “Jesus calls us o’er the tumult of our life’s wild, restless sea”—acknowledging the call of those first disciples by the Sea of Galilee and also Jesus’ call to us. The second verse reminds us of what the disciples gave up in their following of the call. The third and fourth verses move to Jesus’ call to us and his requests of us – “Christian, love me more”—”Christian, love me more than these.” The closing verse is our response — to hear the call, accept the call and “serve and love thee best of all.”
Hear the song on piano at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vir9cxM1FGs
“Behold, Behold, I Make All Things” (MV #115)
“Behold, behold,
I make all things new, beginning with you
and starting from today.
Behold, behold,
I make all things new, my promise is true,
For I am Christ the way.”
Our response to the words of assurance was written by John L. Bell in 1995 and remind us that, through Jesus, we find new life.
“Jesus, You Have Come to the Lakeshore” (VU #563)
“Jesus, you have come to the lakeshore looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones;
You only asked me to follow humbly.
O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me,
And while smiling, have spoken my name;
Now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me;
By your side I will seek other seas.
You know so well my possessions; my boat carries no gold and no weapons;
You will find there my nets and labour.
O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me,
And while smiling, have spoken my name;
Now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me;
By your side I will seek other seas.
You need my hands, full of caring through my labours to give others rest,
And constant love that keeps on loving.
O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me,
And while smiling, have spoken my name;
Now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me;
By your side I will seek other seas.
You, who have fished other oceans, ever longed for by souls who are waiting,
My loving friend, as thus you call me:
O Jesus, with your eyes you have searched me,
And while smiling, have spoken my name;
Now my boat’s left on the shoreline behind me;
By your side I will seek other seas.”
This hymn is written as an intimate response to Jesus from the perspective of the first fishermen called. The gentle rocking motion of the music is reminiscent of a boat rocking on the water. Written in Spanish by Cesdrea Gabardin in 1979, it was translated to English by Gertrude C. Suppe, George Lockwood, and Raquel Guiterrez–Achon in 1987.
Hear the Harmony Singers (2023):
“As We Meet Beside the Lakeshore”
“As we meet beside the lakeshore,
Christ, you beckon, “Come with me.
Cast your net in deeper water,
Venture toward a farther sea.”
Calm my fear and fire my courage
When I hear you call my name.
Guide me as I journey onward,
Growing as I own your claim.
Can I set to sea like Peter,
Trembling, lost, yet rock-to-be?
Can I keep the watch with Mary,
Faithful still while others flee?
What potential lies within me?
What horizons lie before?
Steady me to trust your Spirit,
Wind who blows my boat from shore.
As I tremble by the lakeshore,
Christ, you counsel, “Do not fear.
You will catch not fish, but people;
Cast your net both far and near.”
Show me where the need is deepest
And where you would have me go.
Give me faith to risk and follow,
Leaving everything I know.”
The words for this hymn were written by Ruth C. Duck and appear in her collection “Circles of Care.” She wrote it for the Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary spiritual life retreat in September 1996. While writing, Duck thought of the people who would be welcomed to the seminary through the retreat, many of whom would have left behind successful careers to follow their calling. She said, “Again and again, faithful Christians, lay and clergy, must make the choice to follow Jesus, leaving behind what is past.” The tune we will be using is ABBOT’S LEIGH by Cyril V. Taylor (1941).
Hear the tune on pipe organ at: https://youtu.be/VQCpGiNuWOo
“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 season of Epiphany comes from the Mennonite hymn book, “Hymnal: a Worship Book.” The tune, STUTTGART, is a familiar one which is also used for the Advent hymn “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” (VU #2).
“Who is a Disciple”
“Who is a disciple? Look and you will see.
Those who follow Jesus learning what to be.
Mary Magdalene was one – she walked close by our Lord.
And was the first to find him ris’n on that Easter morn.
Who is a disciple? Look and you will see.
Four strong men out fishing the Sea of Galilee.
Peter, Andrew, James and John left their nets behind
And followed Jesus just to know God’s love for humankind.
Who is a disciple? Look and you will see.
A woman with a jar of oil anointing lovingly.
With tender tears she bathed his feet, gave love complete and bold.
And Jesus said, “Forever more your story will be told.”
Who is a disciple? Look and you will see.
People all around us – they look like you and me.
When we learn to love and share, care for everyone,
We become disciples too, and Jesus’ work is done.
Jesus, Jesus teach me how to be
A disciple of your love
For all the world to see.”
This catchy song was written by Jim Strathdee in 1990. As we move through the season of Epiphany, we read in our scriptures about Jesus’ first disciples and note that they were all ordinary people who made the choice to follow Jesus. Windsor Park United Church was introduced to the song through the music resource for the Sunday School Curriculum “The Whole People of God” (1990s).
Hear the song sung by Jim and Jean Strathdee at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4R1CIhT5gQ&list=OLAK5uy_kc8qUu61i9FaeC6GoRBdPp0Z-j27qJzss&index=7&t=0s
“Lead Me, Lord”
“Lead me, Lord, I will follow.
Lead me, Lord, I will go.
You have called me, I will answer.
Lead me, Lord, I will go.”
Our benediction response was written by Wayne and Elizabeth Goodine in 1994. As we come to the end of worship, we renew our commitment to follow Jesus throughout the coming week.
Hear The Harmony Singers (2021) below:
Bonus Video – “Jesus Saw Them Fishing (Fish with Me)” recorded by the Praise Singers (2021) :
