Notes on the Notes – January 18, 2015

This week’s theme: Mirror, mirror on the wall…

This week’s scripture readings: Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18,   1 Corinthians 6:12-20

This week’s music:

“You, Creator God, Have Searched Me” (MV #131)

 “You, Creator God, have searched me and you know my ways.
You perfectly understand me, It’s my cause of praise.
I cannot escape your presence in air, land or sea.
Your arms of love and protection are always with me.

You know me, O God, you have made me.
I am proud I’m the work of your hand.
In my waking and sleeping moments,
With my being I will praise your name.

You created light and darkness and you love them both.
You blessed the womb of my mother, you brought me to birth.
In your image and your likeness wonderfully made.
I will lift my voice to praise you, you are God indeed.”

This lively calypso song is by George Mulrain, ordained minister of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and Americas.  The lyrics are a paraphrase of Psalm 139.  The arrangement we will be using was written for More Voices in 2007.

“Sacred the Body”

 “Sacred the body God has created,
Temple of Spirit that dwells deep inside.

Cherish each person; nurture relation.
Treat flesh as holy, that love my abide.

Bodies are varied, made in all sizes,
Pale, full of color, both fragile and strong.
Holy the difference, gift of the Maker,
So let us honor each story and song.

Holy of holies, God ever loving,
Make us your temples; indwell all we do.
May we be careful, tender and caring,
So may our bodies give honor to you. “

The words for this hymn were written by Ruth Duck, based on the text from 1 Corinthians 3:16-17.   We will be using the melody for “Morning Has Broken.” 409 VU .

Here the melody at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vToQ7OpxDDc&feature=player_detailpage

“Body, Mind and Spirit” (MV #153)

“Body, mind and spirit, holy, earthly trinity,
Joy of God, Creator, life lived abundantly.

Body, mind and spirit, challenged, battered by earth’s ills,
Know that Christ rest with in us, and stormy water stills.

Body, mind and spirit, nurtured in community,
Prayer, concert, loving action, faithful humanity.

Body, mind and spirit, in God’s image born to be.
Sing, rejoice in life most sacred. Revel in mystery.”

The words and music for this hymn were written by Margaret Motum of Oshawa, Ontario.

“Lord, Who Knows My Heart”
“Lord, who sees my ev’ry thought,
Lord, who hears my quiet need,
Lord, who walks the path I travel,
Lord, who knows my heart.

When I stand and when I sit,
He is always close at hand;
Ev’ry word upon my lips he will understand.

Nowhere here in earth or heaven could I ever run away
From the God that gently guides me to the day.

If I take the morning’s wings, soaring to a distant sea,
There his loving hand will meet me;
Lord, who knows my heart.”

This week’s anthem is by Daniel Burton, who creates many of his choral compositions for use by the choirs at First United Methodiest Church of San Diego. It was composed in 1986. The song is based on Psalm 139 and is one of a collection called “Five Unison Psalms.”

“Take My Life and Let it Be” (VU #506)

“Take my life, and let it be consecrated, all for thee; take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love; take my feet, and let them be swift and purposeful for thee.

Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from thee; take my intellect, and use every power as thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it thine; it shall be no longer mine; take my hearts, it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love: and I will pour at thy feet its treasure story; take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee.”

This hymn was written by Frances Ridley Havergal early in 1874 to celebrate a period of religious awakening at a household where she was visiting.  The anonymous tune is derived from the “Kyrie” of a mass long thought to have been composed by Mozart.

Bonus video!  The song is called “O God, You Have Searched Me.”