Notes on the Notes – July 12, 2015

This week’s scripture reading:

Mark 6:14-29

This week’s music:

“Bless the Lord” (MV #46)

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, bless God’s holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, bless God’s holy name.

Remember the kindness of our God, who showers us with blessing all our days.

Remember the justice of our God, who stands with those forgotten and confused.

Remember the healing love of God, who calls us to be whole and to be free.”

This song, based on Psalm 103, was “accidentally” written by a youth group praise band in  1994.  To read the full story, go to http://www.spiritandsong.com/articles/14195.

To hear the song go to, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1iMlNH8VG4

“My Life Flows On” (VU #716)

“My life flows on in endless song, above earth’s lamentation.
I hear the sweet, though far off hymn that hails a new creation.
Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear the music ringing:
It finds an echo in my soul – how can I keep from singing?

What though my joys and comforts die? My Saviour still is living.
What though the shadows gather ’round? A new song Christ is giving.
No storm can shake my inmost calm, while to that Rock I’m clinging:
Since Love commands both heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?

When tyrants tremble, sick with fear, and hear their death knells ringing:
When friends rejoice both far and near, how can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile our thoughts to them are winging:
When friends by shame are undefiled, how can I keep from singing?

I lift my eyes; the cloud grows thin; I see the blue above it;
And day by day this pathway smooths, since first I learned to love it.
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, a fountain ever springing:
All things are mine since I am Christ’s – how can I keep from singing?”

This hymn, entitled”Joy in God,” is from Robert Lowry’s Bright Jewels for the Sunday School (1869).  A note in the New Century Hymnal (1995) identifies Doris Plenn as the author of the third verse, written about 1957 in tribute to individuals who were imprisoned for their political views during the regime of Senator Joseph R. McCarthy, chairman of the U.S. Senate Permanent Investigations Committee.

Hear the hymn by British vocalist James Loynes with lyrics at:  https://youtu.be/5uc1smOOs7A

See a beautiful version of this hymn performed by Dallyn Vail Bayles at:  https://youtu.be/n-g8ibd7ijc

“My Love Colours Outside the Lines” (MV #138)

“My love colours outside the lines,
Exploring paths that few could ever find;
And takes me into places where I’ve never been before,
And opens doors to worlds outside the lines.

My Lord colours outside the lines,
Turns wounds to blessings, water into wine;
And takes me into places where I’ve never been before
And opens doors to worlds outside the lines.

We’ll never walk on water if we’re not prepared to drown,
Body and soul need a soaking from time to time.
And we’ll never move the gravestones if we’re not prepared to die,
And realize there are worlds outside the lines.

My soul longs to colour outside the lines,
Tear back the curtains, sun, come in and shine;
I want to walk beyond the boundaries where I’ve never been before,
Throw open doors to worlds outside the lines…”

This modern worship song is by Gordon Light (1995) of the Common Cup Company, arranged for More Voices by Andrew Donaldson.