Notes on the Notes – April 13, 2025
Palm Sunday
This week’s music:
“Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” (VU #123)
“Hosanna, loud hosanna!” the happy children sang;
Through pillared court and temple the joyful anthem rang;
To Jesus, who had blessed them close folded to his breast;
The children sang their praises, the simplest and the best.
From Olivet they followed ‘mid an exultant crowd,
The victory palm-branch waving, and singing clear and loud;
The Lord of earth and heaven rode on in lowly state,
Content that little children should on his bidding wait.
“Hosanna in the highest!” That ancient song we sing,
For Christ is our Redeemer; earth, let your anthems ring.
O may we ever praise him with heart and life and voice,
And in his humble presence eternally rejoice!”
The text for this hymn is based on Christ’s triumphal entry on Palm Sunday and the children’s role in that event. The text was written by Jeannette Threlfall in 1873. The first two verses tells how the children shared in the excitement during Christ’s procession into Jerusalem. The closing verse connects us to the event as we are invited to join in praise to our Redeemer.
The melody, ELLACOMBE, is a Roman Catholic tune from late 18th-century Germany, which was first published in 1874.
Hear the hymn with organ and trumpeter Timothy Moke at: https://youtu.be/yOAsWh316kY
“Don’t Be Afraid” (MV #90)
“Don’t be afraid.
My love is stronger,
my love is stronger than your fear.
Don’t be afraid.
My love is stronger
and I have promised, promised to be always near.”
The response for our Lenten candle liturgy is by John L. Bell and Graham Maule (1995) of the Iona Community in Scotland. Written in the voice of God, we are reminded of God’s love for us, even in times of fear and sorrow.
“And When You Call for Me” (MV #96)
“And when you call for me, I have already answered.
And when you call for me, I am already there.”
Our sung response to the Words of Assurance is also written from God’s perspective. We are assured that God is always there for us when we call. The song was written by Lynn Bauman in 2000, with music by Linnea Good (2004).
Hear the song at: And When You Call for Me WPUC
“From the East the Poor are Marching”
“From the east the poor are marching, spreading branches as they come;
from the west the sound of soldiers marching, marching far from home.
Jesus on a colt come riding down a dusty city street,
with a ragtag peasant chorus – hopeful, shouting as they meet.
Pilate comes imposing order on the festival each year-
warhorse, drumbeat, armoured soldiers. Silent crowds look on with fear.
Two processions to the city – shepherd staff and Roman spear –
blessed is the Son of David who will bring God’s kingdom here.”
The words and music for this newer Palm Sunday hymn are by Daniel Charles Damon (2010). The hymn contrasts two processions entering Jerusalem. The words explore themes of social contrast between the poor and the powerful, the hopeful and the fearful. The arrival of Jesus is presented as a sign of God’s kingdom coming, bringing hope and blessing. The presence of Roman soldiers and the potential for conflict foreshadows the events of the week to come.
“Burdens are Lifted at Calvary”
“Days are filled with sorrow and care, hearts are lonely and drear;
Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near.
Cast your care on Jesus today, leave your worry and fear;
Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near.
Troubled soul, the Savior can see every heartache and tear;
Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near.”
This week’s anthem is an arrangement of the gospel song “Burdens are Lifted at Calvary” by John M. Moore (1952), arranged by Patti Drennan. The lyrics are an invitation to leave our burdens and worries at the foot of the cross and a reminder that Jesus is near during times of hardship and sorrow. Moore (1925-2017) was educated at the Evangelical Baptist Fellowship Bible College in Glasgow, Scotland. He wrote over 150 hymns, some of which were translated into other languages, including Romanian.
Watch the story of the hymn by the author at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gK6f0SXLIao
See the Gaither’s performing this song at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgkZznGP3dY
“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).
“An Upper Room Did Our Lord Prepare” (VU #130)
“An upper room did our Lord prepare for those he loved until the end:
and his disciples still gather there to celebrate their risen Friend.
A lasting gift Jesus gave his own: to share his bread, his loving cup.
Whatever burdens may bow us down, he by his cross shall lift us up.
And after supper he washed their feet, for service, too, is sacrament.
In Christ our joy shall be made complete: sent out to serve, as he was sent.
No end there is! We depart in peace. He loves beyond the uttermost:
in every room in our Maker’s house Christ will be there, as Lord and Host.”
The words for this communion hymn were written by Fred Pratt Green in 1973. The lyrics are a retelling of the story of Maundy Thursday and the Last Supper. The closing verses remind us that we are to serve as Christ served and that we are always surrounded by the love of Jesus. The tune we will be using is O WALY WALY.
“O Christ What Can it Mean for Us?”
“O Christ, what can it mean for us to claim you as our king?
What royal face have you revealed whose praise the church would sing?
Aspiring not to glory’s height, to power, wealth, and fame,
You walked a different, lowly way, another’s will your aim.
You came, the image of our God, to heal and to forgive,
To shed your blood for sinners’ sake that we might rise and live.
To break the law of death you came, the law of love to bring:
A different rule of righteousness, a different kind of king.
Though some would make their greatness felt and lord it over all,
You said the first must be the last and service be our call.
O Christ, in workplace, church, and home, let none to power cling;
For still, through us, you come to serve, a different kind of king.
You chose a humble human form and shunned the world’s renown;
You died for us upon a cross with thorns Your only crown.
But still, beyond the span of years, our glad hosannas ring,
For now at God’s right hand You reign, a different kind of king!”
The words for our closing hymn were written by Delores Dufner (2001, 2003). As we hear the words of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, we are encourage to think about Christ as King and what that means for us in the world today. The tune that we will be using is KINGSFOLD.
“May the Christ Who Walks on Wounded Feet”
“May the Christ who walks on wounded feet
Travel with you all your journey through.
May you see Christ’s face in all you meet
And may all you meet see Christ’s face in you.”
Our benediction response was written by Allan Baer in 2013 and arranged by S. Porter. The words are adapted from a traditional Celtic prayer.
Hear the song at: May the Christ Who Walks WPUC
Bonus videos:
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