Notes on the Notes – April 15, 2017
Easter Vigil
Join us at 7 p.m. for a time of waiting and reflection in the hope and joy of the resurrection.
Scripture Readings:
Isaiah 55:1-11
Ezekiel 36:24-28
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Romans 6:3-11
Tonight’s Music:
“The Old Rugged Cross”
“The inspiration came to me one day in 1913, when I was staying in Albion, Michigan,” George Bennard (1873-1958) wrote about the composition of this hymn. “I began to write The Old Rugged Cross. I completed the melody first. The words that I first wrote were imperfect. The words of the finished hymn were put into my heart in answer to my own need. ”
“On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain.
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, ‘til my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown.
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above to bear it to dark Calvary.
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, ‘til my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown.”
“God So Loved the World”
God so loved, He so loved our world that He gave us His only son that if we will believe in Him we will have everlasting life.
For God sent not His Son to condemn the world, but that all through Him might be saved.”
The comforting words of John 3:16 have been set music by Jack Hayford.
“Joy Comes with the Dawn” (VU #166)
“Joy comes with the dawn;
Joy comes with the morning sun,
Joy springs from the tomb and scatters the night with her song,
Joy comes with the dawn.
Weeping may come;
Weeping may come in the night, when dark shadows cloud our sight.
Sorrow will turn,
Sorrow will turn into song, and God’s laughter makes us strong.
We will rejoice, we will rejoice, and give praise, to the One who brings us grace.”
This hymn was written by Gordon Light of the Common Cup Company in 1985. It offers us hope in the time of waiting between the solemnity of Good Friday and the joy of the dawn of Easter morning.
“Only a Shadow”
“The love we have for you, O Lord, is only a shadow of your love for us;
Only a shadow of your love for us, your deep abiding love.
Our own belief in you, O Lord, is only a shadow of your faith in us;
Only a shadow of your faith in us; your deep and lasting faith.
The dreams we have today, O Lord, are only a shadow of your dreams for us;
Only a shadow of your dreams for us; if we but follow you.
The joy we share today, O Lord, is only a shadow of your joys for us;
Only a shadow of your joys for us; when we meet face to face.
Our lives are in your hands,
Our lives are in your hands.
Our love for you will grow, O Lord;
Your light in us will shine.”
We are reminded of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness though the words of this song by Carey Landry (1971).
“Above the Hills of Time” (tune VU#586)
“Above the hills of time the cross is gleaming fair as the sun when night has turned to day; and from it love’s pure light is richly streaming, to cleanse the heart and banish sin away. To this dear cross the eyes of all are turning today as in the ages lost to sight; and so for thee, O Christ, our hearts are yearning as shipwrecked sailors yearn for early morning light.
The cross, O Christ, thy wondrous love revealing, awakes our hearts as with the light of morn, and pardon o’er our sinful spirits stealing tells us that we, in thee, have been reborn. Like echoes to sweet temple bells replying, our hearts, O Lord, make answer to thy love; and we will love thee with a love undying, till we are gathered to thy home above.”
The text for this hymn was written by Thomas Tipland (1882-1967) and is set to the traditional Irish melody “Londonderry Air,” more commonly known as the melody for the song “O Danny Boy.”
