Notes on the Notes – February 10, 2019

This week’s scripture readings:

Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13)     Luke 5:1-11

This week’s music:

“Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet”

“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path;
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

When I feel afraid, think I’ve lost my way,
Still You’re there right beside me;
And nothing will I fear as long as You are near,
Please be near me to the end.

Photo by Rafael Pires on Pexels.com

I will not forget Your love for me and yet
My heart forever is wandering;
Jesus be my Guide, hold me to Your side,
And I will love You to the end…”

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

This direct quotation from the King James Version is the refrain of Amy Grant’s well-known praise chorus.

“Thy Word Is a Lamp” was written in 1984 and set to music composed by Michael W.  Smith. This song is an affirmation of the importance of God’s word in our lives and the role of Jesus as a “guide” who is beside us “to the end.” Now a “classic,” this song expresses a personal relationship with Jesus who is a friend and companion “when I am afraid” and have “lost my way.”

Hear the song sung by Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith at:  https://youtu.be/gs-aiQ9NZ1g

“A Voice is Heard”

“Come, let us praise our God, come let us sing for joy,
With a heart of thanks we give honour.
You are a mighty God, you are the source of life.
Creator God, we give praise.

From the deepest seas (a voice is heard).
From the highest hills (a voice is heard).
From the rich dark earth (a voice is heard).
All creation sings! God is heard.

Through the darkest night (a voice is heard).
Through the breaking dawn (a voice is heard).
Through the heart of life (a voice is heard).
All creation sings! God is heard.”

This joyful songs expresses our belief that God’s voice is everywhere and, as a part of Creation, we too, can hear God’s voice.  Whether or not we can hear it depends on if we are listening for it.  This song by Australian Catholic composers Trisha Watts and Monica O’Brien, was written in 1998.

“Simon, Simon, a Fisherman was He” (VU  #597)

Simon, Simon, a fisherman was he,
Simon, Simon, lived beside the sea,
Until the day when Jesus came and calling Simon by his name,
Said, “Simon, Simon, follow, follow me.”

Simon’s younger brother Andrew, loyal, brave and true,
Simon’s younger brother Andrew followed Jesus too.
They left their ship beside the sea, to follow and disciples be,
When Jesus calling them by name, said, “Follow, follow me.”

Mary loved to listen, Martha liked to do.
Both were friends of Jesus, just like me and you.
No matter what our different ways we all can help when Jesus says,
“Mary, Martha, follow, follow me.”

Dorcas followed Jesus too, sharing what she had.
Dorcas cared for neighbour folk, making others glad.
And we can share with gift and deed as Jesus shared with those in need.
“Dorcas, Dorcas, follow, follow me.”

You can be like Dorcas, and follow Jesus too.
You can be like Andrew, friendly, brave and true.
Big and strong or small and shy, we can follow if we try,
When Jesus calling us by name says, “Follow, follow me.”

This lively song explores the meaning of discipleship by telling the stories of several Biblical characters who followed Jesus and connecting them to our own call to follow. It was written by Robert McLean and first published in 1964 in the Kindergarten section of the New Curriculum for Sunday Schools.  David McKane expanded the text (1995), and Catherine Ambrose provided a new arrangement of the tune for Voices United. 

“We Will Follow”

“We will follow, we will follow Jesus.
We will follow everywhere he goes.
We will follow, we will follow Jesus.
Everywhere he goes, we will follow.”

This traditional Zimbabwean song has the Zulu title of “Som’landela.”

The Zulu lyrics are:

Som’landela, som’landel’ U Jesu.
Som’lanadela yonke indawo.
Som’landela, son’landel’ U Jesu.
Lapho Eyakhona som’landela.

Hear the song sung by a men’s choir in Zulu, French and English:

“Jesus Saw Them Fishing” (MV #113)

“Jesus saw them fishing by the shore of Galilee,
Casting out their nets into the sea.
Simon Peter, Andrew and the sons of Zebedee,
Waiting in their boats so patiently.

And Jesus said, “Oh, come and follow me.
Oh, leave behind your nets. I call you.
Oh, some and fish with me,
And your life will never be the same again.”

A rich young person came to Jesus looking for advice.
“How can I obtain eternal life?”
Jesus told him, “Honor the commandments of the Lord.
Then sell off all your riches for the poor.”

“If you want to follow me deny your very self.
Take up your cross and walk the walk with me.
This might seem a hardship, an impossibility,
But nothing is impossible with God.”

The text of this song is based on Matthew 4:18-22; 16:24-26; 19:16-21, 25-26 and provides another retelling of the calling of the first disciples.  It was written in 2002 by Ken Canedo.

“Shout to the Lord”

“My Jesus, my Savior, Lord, there is none like You;
All of my days I want to praise the wonders of Your mighty love.
My Comfort, my Shelter, Tower of refuge and strength,
Let every breath, all that I am, never cease to worship You.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King!
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands,
Forever I’ll love You, forever I’ll stand;
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You!”

Watch song-writer Darlene Zschech speak about the creation of the song “Shout to the Lord:”  https://youtu.be/20kP79XJox4

“Don’t Wait”

“There’s a time for hesitation and weighing pros and cons.
There’s a time to move with caution and with care.
There’s a time to look both ways, take it easy, play it safe.
But there’s one time when there’s no time to waste.

Don’t wait when you know that God is calling.
Don’t wait when you feel it deep inside.
Don’t wait to respond, give your deepest yes to God,
And know the joy of Jesus in your life.

There’s a time to say tomorrow, or maybe someday soon.
There’s a time to put things off and say not yet.
There’s a time to be excused, there’s so much that’s asked of you.
But there’s one time when only now will do!”

This song was written by Bryan Serchio and published in 2007.   To learn more about the composer, go to:  http://www.sirchio.com/index.php?page=bio

“Lead Me, Lord”

“Lead me, Lord, I will follow.
Lead me, Lord, I will go.
You have called me, I will answer.
Lead me, Lord, I will go.”

This song was written by Wayne and Elizabeth Goodine in 1994.   As we come to the end of worship, we once more make our commitment to follow God throughout the coming week.

To learn more about the creation of the song, go to:  https://youtu.be/LOd6t4pBEpY

To Ponder:  

When have you experienced God’s call?

What convinced you to respond?