Notes on the Notes – January 14, 2018

This week’s theme:  Are We Listening?

This week’s scripture readings:

1 Samuel 3:1-10     John 1:43-51

This week’s music:

All of the music this week is centered around the idea of hearing God’s call.  Do we hear when God calls? And what is our response?

“Walk With Me” (VU #649)

“Walk with me, I will walk with you and build the land that God has planned where love shines through.

When Moses heard the call of God he said, “Lord, don’t sent me.”
But God told Moses, “You’re the one to set my people free.”

Now Peter was a most unlikely man to lead the flock,
But Jesus knew his holiness and he became the Rock.

Young Mary Magdalene was sure her life could be much more,
And by her faith she dared to let God’s love unlock the door.

And when you share your faith with me and work for life made new,
The witness of your faithfulness calls me to walk with you.

Walk with me…”

Our Gathering song this week introduces the theme of being called by God.  The lyrics reference the stories of three Biblical characters who, at first, seemed unlikely to be important in the story of God, but who become major turning points in the faith journey.   This hymn was written by John Rice in 1981.

“Jesus Calls Us” (VU #562)

“Jesus calls us, o’er the tumult of our life’s wild restless sea,
Day by day his clear voice sounding, saying, “Christian, follow me.”

Long ago apostles heard it by the Galilean lake,
Turned from home and toil and kindred, leaving all for Jesus’ sake.

Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world’s golden story,
From each idol that would keep us, saying, “Christian, love me more.”

In our joys and in our sorrows, days of toil and hours of ease,
Still he calls, in cares and pleasures, “Christian, love me more than these.”

Jesus calls us: by your mercies, Saviour, may we hear your call,
Give our hearts to your obedience, serve and love you best of all.”

This hymn is based on Matthew 4:18-20, the calling of the first disciples of Jesus.  The words were written by Cecil Francis Alexander in 1852.  The melody, GALILEE, was composed for this text by William Herbert Jude in 1874.

The first verse of this hymn begins, “Jesus calls us o’er the tumult of our life’s wild, restless sea”—acknowledging the call of those first disciples by the Sea of Galilee.  A recurring theme is “Christian, love me more”—”Christian, love me more than these” —”serve and love thee best of all.”  Those words were inspired by John 21:15, where Jesus, after the resurrection, asked Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”  The hymn therefore acknowledges Jesus’ claim, not only over the lives of those first four disciples, but over the lives of every Christian.  (Source:  Sermon Writer https://www.sermonwriter.com/hymn-stories/jesus-calls-us-oer-tumult/)

Learn more about the hymn at:  https://www.sermonwriter.com/hymn-stories/jesus-calls-us-oer-tumult/

Hear the song on piano at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vir9cxM1FGs

“I Have Called You By Your Name” (MV #161)

This hymn has been described as a hymn for ordination, commitment, and commissioning by Daniel Charles Damon (1995).  The lyrics have their root in Isaiah 43:1.  This hymn is written from God’s perspective, saying “I have called you by your name, you are mine” and goes on to speak of God’s hope for us.   It commissions us to have the courage to follow where God leads and reminds us of everyone’s innate value in God’s eyes.

“I have called you by your name, you are mine;
I have gifted you and ask you now to shine.
I will not abandon you; all my promises are true.
You are gifted, called, and chosen; you are mine.

I will help you learn my name as you go;
Read it written in my people, help them grow.
Pour the water in my name, speak the word your soul can claim,
Offer Jesus’ body given long ago.

I know you will need my touch as you go;
Feel it pulsing in creation’s ebb and flow.
Like the woman reaching out, choosing faith in spite of doubt,
Hold the hem of Jesus’ robe, then let it go.

I have given you a name, it is mine;
I have given you my Spirit as a sign.
With my wonder in your soul, make my wounded children whole;
Go and tell my precious people they are mine.”

“Refresh My Heart”

“Refresh my heart, Lord,
Renew my love;
Pour Your Spirit into my soul –
Refresh my heart.

You set me apart, Lord,
To make me new;
By Your Spirit lift me up, Lord,
Refresh my heart.

And I will worship You, Lord,
With all of my heart;
And I will follow You, Lord,
Refresh my heart.”

This week’s anthem has words and music written by Geoff Bullock (1992). The lyrics ask the Holy Spirit to renew and refresh us, so that we may better serve and follow God.  Geoff Bullock is an Australian singer-songwriter and pianist. He has been a pastor with Australia’s Hillsong Church and has composed many popular praise and worship songs.

“What Can I Do?” (MV #191)

“What can I do? What can I bring?
What can I say? What can I sing?
I’ll sing with joy. I’ll say a prayer.
I’ll bring my love.
I’ll do my share.”

This joyful song of offering and dedication was written by Paul Rumbolt and Michele McCarthy (2005). The arrangement in More Voices is by Alan C. Whitmore.

“I, the Lord of Sea and Sky” (VU #509)

“I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in deepest sin my hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord.  Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them;
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them.
Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord.  Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I well set a feast for them;
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord.  Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.“

“When The United Methodist Hymnal was published in 1989, one of the most popular hymns was immediately “Here I Am, Lord” (1981) by Daniel Schutte (b. 1947).   The stirring refrain is perhaps the first part of the hymn to capture the singer’s imagination.…“Here I Am, Lord” recalls immediately Isaiah 6:8: “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; send me!’”

An unusual attribute of this hymn is the change in point of view that the singer makes between the stanzas and the refrain. The stanzas speak from the perspective of God in the first person singular, while the refrain, though remaining in first person, is from the perspective of the singers of the hymn offering their lives to God.

Each stanza reflects a paradox. The powerful God, creator of “sea and sky,” “snow and rain” and “wind and flame” is also the God who hears the “people cry,” bears the “people’s pain” and “tend[s] the poor and lame.” This is a hymn of transformation. God transforms the darkness into light in stanza one, melts “hearts of stone” with love in stanza two and nourishes the “poor and lame” with the “finest bread.”

Each stanza ends with the question, “Whom shall I send?” … The refrain immediately offers the response, “Here I am, Lord.”…”  (Source: http://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-here-i-am-lord)

“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.”

Our benediction response is our answer to God’s call through Jesus.  The text and music are from Zimbabwe.