Notes on the Notes – December 31, 2022

New Year’s Eve 

Service Music:

“On this Day of Celebration”

“On this day of celebration, at this time when hopes are new,
God, we gather as your people, called to put our trust in you.
You have made the world we live in; you have worked through history.
In your plan we find our purpose, in your love, our unity.

Long ago, you sent our Savior to this world in deep despair.
In your Word made flesh you came, our life to know, our sins to bear.
Christ has died and Christ is risen! At this new year we proclaim:
Yesterday, today, forever — Jesus Christ is still the same!

Through two thousand years of changes, through these passing centuries,
You have called your church to witness to Christ’s love that claims and frees.
Each new generation hears you, each must find a fresh new way
To make known the life you offer, to the people in their day.

On this day, we pause and wonder what the future years will bring,
Yet we know you clothe each flower and you make each sparrow sing.
How much more will you protect us with your guiding, caring hand!
By your Spirit, lead us boldly in the future you have planned.”

The words for our opening hymn are by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (1999).  This New Year’s hymn reminds us to trust that God has made the world and has worked though time.  Our role is to hear God’s word and witness to God in the world as we move to the future.  The tune we will be using is “HYMN TO JOY” by Beethoven (1824).

“Let My Spirit Always Sing”  (MV #83 v. 1 & 3)

“Let my spirit always sing, though my heart be wintering,
            Though the season of despair give no sign that you are there,
            God to whom my days belong, let there always be a song.

Let your wisdom grace my years, choose my words and chase my fears,
            Give me wit to welcome change, to accept, and not estrange,
            Let my joy be full and deep in the knowledge that I keep.”

We will be using two verses of this hymn during the Call to Worship.  The words are by Shirley Erena Murray (1996) with music by Jane Marshall (2005).  Through the song Murray speaks of the desire to continue to know God through all of the stages of life.  It is one of the few hymns that addresses aging and faith.  At this time of a new year, we think of new beginnings and our desire to always have a connection with God, through challenges, changes and fears, and the wisdom and inner peace in knowing that God is always with us.

To learn more about Shirley Erena Murray, go to:  http://www.singingthefaithplus.org.uk/?p=11211

“God Gives us a Future”

“God gives us a future, daring us to go
            Into dreams and dangers on a path unknown.
            We will face tomorrow in the Spirit’s power,
            We will let God change us, for new life starts now.

            We must leave behind us sins of yesterday,
            For God’s new beginning is a better way.
            Fear and doubt and habit must not hold us back:
            God gives hope, and insight, and the strength we lack.

            Holy Spirit, teach us how to read the signs,
            How to meet the challenge of our troubled times.
            Love us into action, stir us into prayer,
            Till we choose God’s life, and find our future there.”

This hymn has words by Elizabeth J. Smith and also encourages us to boldly face the future with God.  The tune we will be using is NOEL NOUVELET, a French carol tune from the late 15th century, known in English as the carol, “Christmas Comes Anew.”

“Renew Us”

“O God, grant me new vision,
new vision to see Your kingdom,
new vision in this year.

O God, grant me a new heart,
a new heart to feel Your love,
a new heart in this year.

Christ, You are around us,
Your light begins to shine,
calling us from the darkness;
renew us in this time.

O God, grant me new strength,
new strength to share Your word,
new strength in this year.

O God, grant me new wisdom,
wisdom to do Your will, Lord,
new wisdom in this year.

This song is written by Herb Frombach with music by David Lantz III.  It is a simple, yet profound prayer, calling upon the Creator to renew us with clean hearts, the strength to do His will, and the vision to behold His kingdom.  It is inspired by the words of Psalm 51:10 –

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me”

Hear the Harmony Singers at:  https://youtu.be/LN9U04jD0mI

“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.

“Joy is Now in Every Place” (VU #45)

“Joy is now in every place,
 Christmas lightens every face;
 Now be with us, in your grace,
 O hear us, bless us, holy Jesus.

            May the star that shone that night,
            Making your poor stable bright,
            Fill our hearts with love and light,
            O hear us, bless us, holy Jesus.

  Through the New Year let it stay,
  Leading us upon your way,
  Making Christmas every day,
  O hear us, bless us, holy Jesus.

            Now and ever may we find
            Your good news to fill our mind:
            Peace and love to humankind,
            O hear us, bless us, holy Jesus.”

According to the Canadian Youth Hymnal (1939), the source of this carol was Child Education, December 1929, although the author of the words is unknown.  The lyrics bridge the time between Christmas and the New Year, encouraging us to keep the good news of Jesus’ birth in our minds and actions.  The German carol tune has been in use since the 1500s, when it was used in medieval mystery plays about the nativity.  It is the tune for the German carol “Joseph lieber, Joseph mein.” 

“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.

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.

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!

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