Notes on the Notes – April 5, 2020

Palm Sunday

On the Edge of Glory

    Matthew 21:1-11     Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

This Week’s Music:

Lenten Response (VU #121) 

“Christ, you lead and we shall follow,
Stumbling though our steps may be,
One with you in joy and sorrow,
We the river, you the sea,
We the river, you the sea.

Gentle Jesus, mighty Spirit,
Come inflame our hearts anew,
We may all your joy inherit
If we bear the cross with you.
If we bear the cross with you.”

Each week during the season of Lent, we will be using selected verses of the hymn “Tree of Life and Awesome Mystery,”  written by Marty Haugen (1984).

“All Glory, Laud and Honour” (VU #122)

“All glory, laud and honour to you, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring.
You are the king of Israel, and David’s royal son,
Now in the Lord’s name coming, our King and blessed one.

To you, before your passion,
They sang their hymns of praise;
To you, now high exalted, our melody we raise.
Their praises you accepted;
Accept the prayers we bring,
Great author of all goodness,
O good and gracious king.”

The text for this hymn is derived from a long Latin hymn written by Theodulph, Bishop of Orleans (pre-798 C.E.) The tune, written in 1613,  is also named for him.

Hear the full hymn at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3a8fTTrAdE

“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.

“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 verse tells how the children shared in the songs during Christ’s procession into Jerusalem. The closing verse is our cue to also participate in praising 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

“Messiah”

“Someone’s shouting from the desert.
Someone’s shouting from the sea.
Someone’s shouting from the mountain.
Someone’s shouting from the valley.
Messiah, come and be our King.

Someone’s shouting from the city,
“I am young, I am cold.”
Someone’s shouting from the country,
“I am lonely, I am old.”
Messiah, come and be our King.

Someone’s shouting “I am broken.”
Someone’s shouting “Make me whole.”
Someone’s shouting “Come and change me.”
Someone’s shouting “Save my soul.”
Messiah, come and be our King.”

This song was written by Larry Olson in 1989.   Just as the ancient Israelites longed for a Messiah, this longing continues today.

“In the Bulb There is a Flower” (VU #703)

“In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be;
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness,
Bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future;
What it holds, a mystery.
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity,
In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity.
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory.
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.”

Natalie Sleeth composed “Hymn of Promise” as a choral anthem and later adapted it to congregational singing (1986).  The message of hope and trust in God continues to resonate.

Hear the song at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDpByzZqeQ4

Bonus video: