Notes on the Notes – February 5, 2023

Fifth Sunday of Epiphany

This week’s music:

“You are Salt for the Earth”

“You are salt for the earth, O people:
Salt for the reign of God!
Share the flavor of life, O people:
Life in the City of God!

Bring forth the reign of mercy,
Bring forth the reign of peace;
Bring forth the reign of justice,
Bring forth the City of God!

You are a light on the hill, O people:
Light for the City of God!
Shine so holy and bright, O people:
Shine for the City of God!

Bring forth the reign of mercy,…

You are a seed of the Word, O people:
Bring forth the reign of God!
Seeds of mercy and seeds of justice,
Grow in the City of God!

Bring forth the reign of mercy,…

We are a blessed and a pilgrim people:
Bound for the reign of God!
Love our journey and love our homeland:
Love is the City of God!

Bring forth the reign of mercy,
Bring forth the reign of peace;
Bring forth the reign of justice,
Bring forth the City of God!”

Our opening hymn, also known by the title, “Bring Forth the Kingdom” was written by Marty Haugen (b. 1950).  It is one of Haugen’s best known songs and appears in many Catholic and Protestant hymnals.   It is written in a folk style reminiscent of the sound of Peter, Paul and Mary and the Kingston Trio.

The biblical basis of the hymn is Mathew 5:13-16, and is the writing immediately following the Beatitudes. The first two stanzas draw directly upon the metaphors of “salt of the earth” and “light on the hill” (“Light of the world” in the original). Stanza three amplifies the theme with “You are the seed of the Word” who sows “Seeds of mercy and . . . justice.” Stanza four includes the theme of a “pilgrim people” on a “journey” towards our “homeland”—“the Kingdom of God.” (Source: https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-bring-forth-the-kingdom)

Hear the hymn at:  https://yout-u.be/falBgJrtqVs

“Make Me a Servant”

“Make me a servant, humble and meek.
Lord, let me lift up those who are weak.
And may the prayer of my heart always be:
Make me a servant, make me a servant, make me a servant today.”

Our scripture response this week is by Kelly Willard (1982) and is based on John 13:14-16.

Hear a contemplative version of the song at:  https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=aPZy5HKn9AY

“We Are”

“Every secret, every shame,
Every fear, every pain,
Live inside the dark,
But that’s not who we are.
We are children of the day.

So wake up, sleeper, lift your head.
We were meant for more than this.
Fight the shadows, conquer death,
Make the most of the time we have left.

We are the light of the world,
We are the city on a hill.
We are the light of the world,
And we gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine.
We are the light of the world,
We are the city on a hill.
We are the light of the world
And we gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine.

Let the light shine, let the light shine.

We are called to spread the news,
To tell the world the simple truth.
Jesus came to save, there’s freedom in His name,
So let His love break through.

We are the light of the world…”

This week’s anthem was written by James Tealy, Chuck Butler, Hillary McBride and Ed Cash.  It was recorded by Kari Jobe.  The lyrics of the song make reference to today’s gospel reading from Matthew 5.

Hear an acoustic version by Kari Jobe at:  https://yout-u.be/B07iK9uh9qY

“Your Work, O God, Needs Many Hands” (VU #537)

“Your work, O God, needs many hands to help you everywhere,
And some there are who cannot serve unless our gifts we share.
Because we love you and your work, our offering now we make:
Be pleased to use it as your own, we ask for Jesus’ sake.”

Our offering response was written by Calvin Weiss Laufer in 1927, set to music by Neil Dougall (1831).

“Santo, Santo, Santo” (VU #944)

“Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy is our God,
God of earth and God of heaven.
Holy, holy is our God.
Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy is our God,
God of all, and God of history.
Holy, holy is our God.

Who accompanies our people, who lives within our struggles,
Of all the earth and heaven the one and only God.
Blessed those who in our God’s name announce the holy Gospel,
Proclaiming forth the good news: our liberation comes.

Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy is our God,
God of earth and God of heaven.
Holy, holy is our God.
Holy, holy, holy, holy, holy, holy is our God,
God of all, and God of history.
Holy, holy is our God.”

This English translation is of a Spanish Santus, composed by El Salvadorian musician Guillermo Joaquin Cuellar in 1980.  The translation is by Linda McCrae.

The Sanctus is part of the communion liturgy.  The word “Sanctus” is Latin for “Holy.”  The Sanctus is said or sung during the opening prayer during communion and usually describes the praise of the worshippers joining with the angels, who are pictured as praising God with the words of the Sanctus.

Learn more about Guillermo Joaquin Cuellar’s life story at: https://www.embracingelsalvador.org/guillermo-cuellar-2/ 

Hear an arrangement of the song in Spanish at:  https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=YzXOXz1ffWA

“Go, Make a Difference” (MV #209)

“Go make a difference.  We can make a difference.  Go make a difference in the world.
Go make a difference.  We can make a difference.  Go make a difference in the world.

We are the salt of the earth, called to let the people see the love of God for you and me.
We are the light of the world, not to be hidden but be seen.  Go make a difference in the world.

We are the hands of Christ reaching out to those in need, the face of God for all to see.
We are the spirit of hope;  we are the voice of peace.  Go make a difference in the world.

So let your love shine on, let it shine for all to see.  Go make a difference in the world.
And the spirit of Christ will be with us as we go.  Go make a difference in the world.

Go make a difference.  We can make a difference.  Go make a difference in the world.
Go make a difference.  We can make a difference.  Go make a difference in the world.”

This lively song enthusiastically sends us out to carry our faith into the world.  It was written by Steve Angrisano and Tom Tomaszek in 1997.   The words reinforce the message from the gospel of Matthew.

Watch Steve Angrisano singing the song at: http://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=EQJ4TLRy1KI

“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.”