Notes on the Notes – April 30, 2023

Fourth Sunday of Easter

This week’s music:

“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You” (VU #232)

“Joyful, joyful we adore you God of glory, life and love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before you, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the gloom of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day.

WPUC Butterfly Garden

All your works with joy surround you, Earth and heaven reflect your rays,
Stars and angels sing around you, centre of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain, sound their praise eternally.

You are giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest,
Well-spring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Source of grace and fount of blessing, let your light upon us shine;
Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals join the mighty chorus, which the morning stars began;
God’s own love is reigning o’er us, joining people hand in hand.
Ever singing march we onward, victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music leads us sunward in the triumph song of life.”

This hymn of joy celebrates the constancy of God’s love for and in creation.  The words are not a translation of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” but were written in 1907 by Henry van Dyke as a gift to his host, James Garfield, president of Williams College, Massachusetts (and later president of the United States), while van Dyke was a guest preacher at the college.  The text was altered in the interest of inclusivity when it was published in Voices United.

See Libera perform the song at:  https://youtu.be/MAkXHhs9vOc

“As the Deer”

“As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you;
You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship you.
You alone are my strength, my shield,
To you alone may my spirit yield;
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you!

You’re my friend and you are my brother even though you are a King
I love you more than any other so much more than anything
You alone are my strength, my shield,
To you alone may my spirit yield;
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you!

I want you more than gold or silver only you can satisfy
You alone are the real joy-giver and the apple of my eye
You alone are my strength, my shield,
To you alone may my spirit yield;
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you!

This song by Martin J. Nystrom was written in 1981.  The first line comes from Psalm 42 and then the song reflects on this, expressing the desire to make Christ the most important aspect of our lives.  Our souls long for connection with the divine and we are able to make this connection through worship.

The second verse refers to Christ as a friend and brother and the longing for the closeness of these relationships, even though Christ is also a King.  In the third verse we are reminded that true joy is only found through our connection with Jesus, and through Jesus, God, as God is the giver of every good and perfect gift.  The end of each verse emphasizes that Christ alone is the source of everything that our spirits need.

“The Rainbow Connection”

“Why are there so many songs about rainbows
And what’s on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
And rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we’ve been told and some choose to believe it
I know they’re wrong, wait and see.
Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

Who said that every wish would be heard and answered
when wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that
and someone believed it,
and look what it’s done so far.
What’s so amazing that keeps us stargazing?
And what do we think we might see?
Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection,
the lovers, the dreamers and me.

All of us under its spell,
we know that it’s probably magic….

Have you been half asleep
and have you heard voices?
I’ve heard them calling my name.
Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors?
The voice might be one and the same.
I’ve heard it too many times to ignore it.
It’s something that I’m supposed to be.
Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection,
the lovers, the dreamers and me.

La, da da, dee, da da do, la la, da da da dee da do.”

From “The Muppet Movie” (1979). Originally performed by Kermit the Frog (Jim Henson), Jim Henson Productions. The lyrics are about hope, faith and believing.

Enjoy singing along with Kermit at:  https://youtu.be/awhyiBv-oQc 

“Jesus, Teach Me”

“10,000 Reasons”

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul;
worship his holy name.
Sing like never before, O my soul;
          I’ll worship your holy name.

The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning,
          it’s time to sing your song again.
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me,
         let me be singing when the evening comes.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul;
worship his holy name.
Sing like never before, O my soul;
          I’ll worship your holy name.

You’re rich in love and you’re slow to anger.
Your name is great and your heart is kind.
For all your goodness, I will keep on singing;
       ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul;
worship his holy name.
Sing like never before, O my soul;
          I’ll worship your holy name.

And on that day when my strength is failing,
         the end draws near and my time has come;
Still my soul will sing your praise unending;
ten thousand years and then forevermore!

Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul;
worship his holy name.
Sing like never before, O my soul;
          I’ll worship your holy name.
          I’ll worship your holy name.
I’ll worship your holy name.”

The words and music for the anthem to end the service are by Jonas Myrin and Matt Redman.  The choral setting is by Lloyd Larson.   The lyrics are a testament to a life of praise to God.

See the Matt Redman video for the song at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtwIT8JjddM

“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 comes from the Mennonite hymn book, “Hymnal: a Worship Book,” and reminds us to freely and faithfully share our gifts.  The tune is a familiar one which is also used for the Advent hymn “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”  (VU #2).

“Be Thou My Vision”

“Be thou my vision, O joy of my heart;
Naught be all else to me save that thou art,
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, my calm in all strife;
I ever with thee, and thou in my life;
Thou loving parent, thy child may I be;
Thou in me dwelling, and I one with thee.

Be thou my battle shield, sword for the fight;
Be thou my dignity, thou my delight,
Thou my soul’s shelter, thou my high tower;
Raise thou me heavenward, O power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor vain empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and thou only, the first in my heart,
Great God of heaven, my treasure thou art.

Great God of heaven, after victory won,
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.”

The text of this hymn is based on an eighth-century Irish poem translated into English prose by Mary E. Byrne, and published in 1905.  The tune, SLANE, is an Irish air, harmonized by OPC/URCNA in 2016.  The words of the hymn are a commitment to keep God at the center of our lives.

Hear the hymn sung by 4Him at: https://youtu.be/jIMhshpf0Y4

Hear the hymn by The Webb Family at: https://youtu.be/AZfD5KrH5d8

“May the Blessing of God be Upon You/Amen” (VU #429/974)

“May the blessing of God be upon you.
May God’s love light all your way.
May the grace of Christ enfold you
And peace around you stay.
May the Spirit of God dwell within you.
May you live in joy each day.

Amen, Amen, Hallelujah, Amen!
Amen, Amen, Hallelujah, Amen!”

The words for our benediction response were written by R. Gordon Nodwell in 1989.
The music is by William H.M. Wright (1989). The Amen is by Jim Strathdee (1985).

Thank you to The Worship Choir and Harmony Singers for providing music leadership today.