Notes on the Notes – February 15, 2015

This week’s theme:  Transfiguration Sunday/It’s all about Jesus

This week’s scripture:2 Corinthians 4: 3-6, Mark 9: 2-9

This week’s music:

“Jesus Came, A Child Like Me” (VU #583)

“Jesus came, a child like me, so the face of God I’ll see,
God is not left far away, God is with us every day.

Jesus came to show us all ways to answer our God’s call-
Came to show us how to share, came to live with God’s own care.

Jesus came God’s work to do, came to live in me and you,
Came to turn the world around till God’s peace and love are found.

Jesus came to show God’s face, live God’s love, and be God’s grace.
God lives now in me, in you, God’s at work in what we do.

Live, Jesus, near us, live, Jesus, with us,
Live, Jesus, in us, come, live in us today.”

Walter Farquharson, a hymn writer and a former moderator of the United Church of Canada, submitted this new children’s hymn for Voices United (1987).    The tune, JESUS CAME, is by Richard D. Hall of Oshawa, Ontario, and was composed for this text.

“O Splendour of God’s Glory Bright” (VU #413)

“O splendour of God’s glory bright, from light eternal bringing light;
O light of life, light’s living spring, true day, all days illumining;

Come, Holy Sun of heavenly love, pour down your radiance from above,
And to our inward hearts convey the Holy Spirit’s cloudless ray.

O joyful be the passing day with thoughts as clear as morning’s ray,
With faith like noon-tide shining bright, our souls unshadowed by the night.

O Christ, with each returning morn your image to our hearts is born;
O may we ever see anew our Saviour and our God in you!”

The text of this hymn comes from “Splendor Paternae Gloriae,” an office hymn by Ambrose, Bishop of Milan (ca 174), who encouraged the development of hymn singing in the Western Church, having heard hymns sung in Eastern Orthodox churches during his travels in Greece. The translation is based on the work of John Chandler in Hymns of the Primitive Church (1837). The tune, PUER NOBIS NASCITUR, is from a 15th-century Tier manuscript.

“How Good, Lord, to be Here (VU #103)

“How good, Lord, to be here! Your glory fills the night;
Your face and garments, like the sun, shine with unborrowed light.

How good, Lord to be here, your beauty to behold,
Where Moses and Elijah stand, your messengers of old.

Fulfiller of the past and hope of things to be,
We hail your body glorified, and our redemption see!

Before we taste of death, we see your kingdom come:
We long to hold the vision bright and make this hill our home!

How good, Lord, to be here! Yet we may not remain;
But, since you bid us leave the mount, come with us to the plain.”

This hymn was written by Joseph Armitage Robinson (1888) for the feast of the Transfiguration, which, in the United Church, is celebrated on the last Sunday before the beginning of Lent. The tune, CARLISLE, is by Charles Lockhard (1792).  Learn more about the Transfiguration at:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transfiguration_of_Jesus

“I Am the Light of Nations” 

“O sing alleluia,

I am the light of nations, light for the whole wide world,
The light that repels the darkness, and guides all who follow me in faith.

God is our light, God is our peace,
God is our love.

Rejoice and sing alleluia!”

This week’s anthem is based on John 8:12.  It was translated by Garhard Cartford from a Spanish text.   The tune by Rodolfo Ascnesio (1978) has been arranged by Hal Hopson.

 “Who is My Mother” (MV #178) 

“Who is my mother, who is by brother?
All those who gather round Jesus Christ:
Spirit-blown people born from the Gospel
Sit at the table, round Jesus Christ.

Differently abled, differently labelled,
Widen the circle round Jesus Christ:
Crutches and stigmas, culture’s enigmas,
All come together round Jesus Christ.

Bound by one vision, met for one mission
We claim each other, round Jesus Christ:
Here is my mother, here is my brother,
Kindred in Spirit, through Jesus Christ.  Amen!”

With words by Shirley Erena Murray (1982), and a jazzy tune by Ron Klusmeier (2002), this hymn reminds us of the Christian call to inclusion.  Learn more about the history of this hymn at:  http://www.gbod.org/resources/history-of-hymns-who-is-my-mother-who-is-my-brother