Notes on the Notes – April 3, 2022 – Fifth Sunday of Lent

Lent 5

“Full to the Brim – Brazen Acts of Beauty”

This week’s music: 

“Sing Your Praise to God Eternal” (VU #244)

“Sing your praise to God eternal, sing your praise to God the Son,
Sing your praise to God the Spirit, living and forever One.
God has made us, God has blessed us, God has called us to be true.
God rules over all creation, daily making all things new.

Join the praise of every creature, sing with singing birds at dawn;
When the stars shine forth at nightfall, hear their heavenly antiphon.
Praise God for the light of summer, autumn glories, winter snows,
For the coming of the springtime and the life of all that grows.

Praise God on our days of gladness for the summons to rejoice;
Praise God in our times of sadness for the calm, consoling voice.
God our Maker, strong and loving, Christ our Saviour, Leader, Lord,
Living God, Creator Spirit, be your holy name adored!”

As we begin our time of worship, we will be singing this joyful hymn of praise to the trinity.  The words remind us of God’s presence with us always – through all times and all places.  God is not only with us in the good times, but also walks with us during times of struggle.  Our response is to sing our praise with all of Creation.  This hymn, by R.B.Y. Scott, was first published in The Hymn Book in 1971.  The tune, ARFON, is derived from a Welsh folksong dating from at least the 18th century with possible French origins.

Hear the hymn sung in worship at Trinity United Church in PEI (the hymn occurs at minute 17, but feel free to enjoy “visiting” another church – love the choir gowns!) https://youtu.be/LQSKmuNJGBw

“Fill My Cup, Lord”

“Fill my cup, Lord, 
            I lift it up, Lord,
            Come and quench the thirsting of my soul.
            Bread of heaven,  feed me ‘til I want no more.
            Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.”

During the season of Lent, we will be using the chorus of this song, written by Richard Blanchard in 1959.  The chorus is an earnest plea for God to fill us with divine forgiveness, mercy and love, making us whole.

Hear the song at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4l2yY2r95g 

“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 (b. 1925) was educated at the Evangelical Baptist Fellowship Bible College in Glasgow, Scotland. He served as Assistant Superintendent at the Seamen’s Chapel in Glasgow; pastor and Superintendent at Tent Hall, an evangelistic center in Glasgow (nine years); pastor of the Inverness Baptist Church (five years); and (as of 1985), pastor of the Willowdale Baptist Church, Willowdale, Ontario, Canada. He wrote over 150 hymns, some of which were translated into other languages, including Romanian.  Moore passed away in 2017.

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

“God will Make a Way”

“God will make a way when there seems to be no way,
He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me.
He will be my guide, hold me closely to His side,
With love and strength for each new day,
He will make a way.  He will make a way.

By a roadway in the wilderness He’ll lead me.
Rivers in the desert will I see.
Heaven and earth will fade,
But His word will still remain.
And He will do something new today…”

This song by Don Moen, born out of tragedy,  reminds us that, in times of trial, and especially in times of extreme trial, we need to be assured that we have a God who loves us and who will provide for our every need, whether it be physical, emotional, or spiritual. What new way is God calling us to in these times?

Hear the song at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zo3fJYtS-o

“Peace for the Children” (MV #149 v 5)

“Peace for the nations, peace, peace.
Peace for the nations we pray.
Following the path of One of peace,
We work for healing, we work for peace;
Peace for the nations today.” 

This week’s benediction response was written by Doreen Lankshear-Smith in 1993, arranged by Jason Locke in 2020.