Notes on the Notes – April 16, 2017

EASTER SUNDAY

New Life – The Power of Love

What is Easter?

Easter, is a festival and holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial after his crucifixion by the Romans.  In Western Christianity the Easter Season begins on Easter Sunday and lasts seven weeks, ending with the coming of the fiftieth day, Pentecost Sunday.   Easter customs vary across the Christian world, and may include sunrise services, exclaiming the Paschal greeting (“Christ is Risen.”  “He is risen indeed!”), and decorating Easter eggs (symbols of the empty tomb). The Easter lily, a symbol of the resurrection, traditionally decorates the church on this day.

Easter scripture readings:

Matthew 28:1-10

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

Acts 10:34-43

This week’s Music:

“Jesus Christ is Risen Today” (VU #155)

“Jesus Christ is risen today, hallelujah!
Our triumphant holy day, hallelujah!
Who did once upon the cross, hallelujah!
Suffer to redeem our loss.  Hallelujah!

Hymns of praise then let us sing…
Unto Christ, our heavenly King,…
Who endured the cross and grave,…
Sinners to redeem and save…

But the pains which he endured,…
Our salvation have procured;…
Now above the sky he’s King,…
Where the angels ever sing…

Sing we to our God above…
Praise eternal as God’s love;…
Praise our God, ye heavenly host,…
Praise the Son and Holy Ghost.  Hallelujah!

This Easter carol appears in several 14th-century manuscripts.  Verse 1 is taken from a translation of the Latin text as published in 1708.  Verses two and three were rewritten in 1749 and 1753.  The fourth verse is by Charles Wesley (1740).   The tune, EASTER HYMN, is a model of the new hymnody that was being introduced to English congregations at the beginning of the 18th century.   The descant was written by Derek Holman in 1971.

See the King’s College Choir at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMwPEmUMP7U

“This is the Day That God Has Made” (VU #175)

“This is the day that God had made!
Rejoice! Rejoice, and be exceeding glad!
This is the day that God has made!
Rejoice! Rejoice! Hallelujah!

Christ has conquered death at last,
Left the tomb that held him fast!
Gone the sorrow, gone the night,
Dawns the morning clear and bright!

Jesus lives who once was dead,
Lives forever, as he said!
Risen now our Saviour, King;
Songs of gladness let us sing!”

This youth-oriented Easter song was written by American composer Natalie Sleeth in 1976.  Sleeth was born on October 29, 1930 in Evanston, IL.   Among her other published works, “In the Bulb there is a Flower” (“Hymn of Promise”) has become one of her most popular compositions both as a hymn and as an anthem.   An organist, she wrote over 180 highly successful selections for church and school.  At age 62, at the height of her career, she died of cancer on March 21, 1992 in Denver, Colorado.

“All in an Easter Garden”

“All in an Easter garden before the break of day
An angel came from heaven and rolled the stone away.
When Jesus’ friends came seeking, with myrrh and spices rare,
They found the angels at the door, but Jesus was not there.

All in an Easter garden, where water lilies bloom,
The angels gave their message beside an empty tomb:
The Lord is here no longer. Come, see where He once lay;
The Lord of Life is ris’n indeed, for this is Easter day!

The Joyful Noise will share this retelling of the story of the first Easter by Gilbert DeBenedetti.

“Come, Children, Join to Sing” (VU #345)

“Come, children, join to sing: Hallelujah!
Praise to our Servant-King: Hallelujah!
Let all with heart and voice, saved by God’s gracious choice,
Now in this place rejoice: Hallelujah!

Come, lift your hearts on high: Hallelujah!
Let praises fill the sky: Hallelujah!
Christ calls his people friends, the helpless he defends,
A love that never ends: Hallelujah!

Praise yet our Christ again: Hallelujah!
Raise high the joyous strain: Hallelujah!
The whole creation o’er let all God’s love adore,
Singing forevermore: Hallelujah!”

“Come Christians, Join to Sing” began as a Sunday school song for children. Originally entitled, “Come, Children, Join to Sing,” the hymn’s name was changed to “Come, Christians, Join to Sing” when its author realized everyone loved to sing his hymn. The hymn was written in 1843 and first appeared in a Scottish hymnbook for children entitled Sacred Melodies for Sabbath Schools and Families.  Voices United has seen the return to the original title.

Hear a concertato version of the hymn at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qlt1Qp1WvRA

“He is Risen”

“He is risen! He is risen!
Alleluia, Christ is risen!
Let the song ring out through all the earth: ‘Our Savior’s risen today!’
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Sing a joyful alleluia!For the chains of death can hold Him no more.
Let us praise His name. Let the earth proclaim: ‘He is risen!’

He is risen! He is risen!
Alleluia, Christ is risen!
On this happy morn a miracle come to those who truly believe.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Sing a joyful alleluia.
For a new and glorious day has begun.
Let the bells ring out, let the people shout: ‘He is risen!’

For Christ the Lord has been victorious freeing us from death and sin.
Now a new life waits before us.
All on earth is born again.
Come rejoice, come rejoicing.
Raise your voice, raise your voice in praise.

He is risen! He is risen!
Alleluia, Christ is risen.
Let the message ring throughout the world;
‘He lives this Easter day!’
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Sing a joyful alleluia.
Let us celebrate the wonderful news.
Let the anthems ring, let the people sing:
‘He is risen! He is risen! Alleluia!'”

Today’s anthem by the Worship Choir was written by Nancy Price and Don Besig.  It incorporates the hymn tune REGENT SQUARE, using new words to celebrate the resurrection.

“Come People of the Risen King”

“Come people of the risen King who delight to bring Him praise.
Come all and tune your hearts to sing to the Morning Star of grace.
From the shifting shadows of the earth we will lift our eyes to Him
Where steady arms of mercy reach to gather children in.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Let every tongue rejoice!
One heart, one voice, O church of Christ, rejoice!

Come those whose joy is morning sun and those weeping through the night.
Come those who tell of battles won and those struggling in the night.
For His perfect love will never change and His mercies never cease,
But follow us through all our days with the certain hope of peace.

Rejoice!…

Come, young and old from every land, men and women of the faith.
Come, those with full or empty hands, find the riches of His grace,
Over all the world His people sing, shore to shore we hear them call
The truth that cries through every age,
“Our God is all in all!”

Rejoice!…”

Keith and Kristyn Getty occupy a unique space in the world of music today as preeminent modern hymn writers. In re-inventing the traditional hymn form, they have created a distinguished catalogue of songs teaching Christian doctrine and crossing genres by connecting the world of traditional and classical composition with contemporary and globally-accessible melodies.  These modern hymns are rooted in the traditions of Celtic and English hymnody handed down to the Northern Ireland-born couple and long-time writing partner, Stuart Townend.   This anthem arrangement of “Come, People of the Risen King” is by David Angerman.

“Forever”

“Give thanks to the Lord, our God and King;
His love endures forever.
For He is good, He is above all things;
His love endures forever.
Sing praise, sing praise.

With a mighty hand and outstretched arm;
His love endures forever.
For the life that’s been reborn;
His love endures forever.
Sing praise, sing praise.

Forever God is faithful,
forever God is strong,
forever God is with us,
forever.

From the rising to the setting sun;
His love endures forever.
And by the grace of God we will carry on;
His love endures forever.
Sing praise, sing praise.

Forever God is faithful,
forever God is strong,
forever God is with us, forever.”

Read about the song at:  http://www.crosswalk.com/church/worship/song-story-forever-by-chris-tomlin-1243556.html

Hear Chris Tomlin sing this song at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUH_NzfRmbs

“Mighty to Save”

“Everyone needs compassion, love that’s never failing.
Let mercy fall on me.
Everyone needs forgiveness, the kindness of a Saviour, the hope of nations.

Saviour, He can move the mountains.
My God is might to save, He is mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation, He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

So take me as You find me, all my fears and failures.
Fill my life again.
I give my life to follow everything I believe in.
Now I surrender…

Shine Your light and let the whole world see.
We’re singing for the glory of the risen King, Jesus….”

Written by Ben Fielding and Reuben Morgan.  It was arranged by Can Galbraith, based on the recording from the Hillsong album “Mighty to Save” (2006).

Hear the song at https://youtu.be/GVnyBp_CudA