Notes on the Notes – June 16, 2024

4th Sunday after Pentecost
Father’s Day

This week’s music:

“All Creatures of Our God and King” (VU #217)

“All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing:
Hallelujah, hallelujah!
Bright burning sun with golden beam,
Soft shining moon with silver gleam,
Sing praises, sing praises,
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

O rushing winds and breezes soft,
O clouds that ride the winds aloft,
Sing praises, hallelujah!
O rising morn, in praise rejoice;
O lights of evening, find a voice:
Sing praises, sing praises,
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

And everyone of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part:
Sing praises, hallelujah!
All who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and yield up all your care:
Sing praises…

Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship God in humbleness:
Sing praises, hallelujah!
Praise God eternal, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, three in one:
Sing praises…”

All Creatures of Our God and King was written St. Francis of Assisi in 1225 in the Canticle of the Sun poem, which was based on Psalm 148.  William H. Draper translated the lyrics into English for a children’s festival in Leeds, England.  The exact date is unknown but is thought to be sometime between 1899 and 1919.  The hymn first appeared in the Public School Hymn Book in 1919. This week we will be using verses 1, 2, 4 and 5.

The words are set to an Easter hymn, “Lasst uns erfreuen herzlich sehr”, which was published in 1623 by Friedrich Spee.  This tune became widespread in English hymn books starting with a 1906 arrangement by Ralph Vaughan Williams. This hymn was the opening hymn of the 99th Anniversary Service of the United Church of Canada, held last week in Toronto.

Hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing this hymn at:  https://youtu.be/nAXv8mGM4cQ

For fun:  Mr. Bean in Church – https://youtu.be/shIACXmg7Bc

“Spirit of Life” (VU #381)

“Spirit of Life, come unto me.
Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion.
Blow in the wind, rise in the sea; move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice.
Roots hold me close; wings set me free;
Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me.”

This sung prayer will be our response to the words of assurance.  It was written by Carolyn McDade in 1981 and arranged by Grace Lewis-McLaren and published in 1993.

“Like a Tree Beside the Waters” 

“Like a tree beside the waters, nurtured by your loving care,
We, O God, your sons and daughters, your enduring witness bear.
In each passing generation may your voice of love be heard.
Bless, we pray, this congregation with your holy, living Word.

Like a tree beside the river, drawing life from holy streams,
Fill us with your love forever; recreate our hopes and dreams.
Through the storms of life sustain us by the wisdom of your grace.
May the changing of the seasons find us in your warm embrace.

We, beside the living waters, drink from your eternal life.
Give to all, your sons and daughters, faith that rises over strife.
O Living God, most glorious, strengthen us for life today.
By the hope of timeless promise guide your church upon the Way.”

James Martin wrote this text at the invitation of Campbellsport (Wisconsin) United Church of Christ for the celebration of its 125th anniversary year in 1993.  The tune we will be using is ALL THE WAY, which was written for the hymn “All the Way My Saviour Leads Me” by Robert S. Lowry in 1875.

“Good Soil”

“Lord, let my heart be good soil, open to the seed of your Word.
Lord, let my heart be good soil, where love can grow and peace is understood.

When my heart is hard, break the stone away.
When my heart is cold, warm it with the day.
When my heart is lost, lead me on your way.
Lord, let my heart be good soil.”

This week’s anthem is by Handt Hanson.   It is a prayer for our hearts to be open to God’s Word, so that the seeds of the Word of God can grow in us and that we can go out into the world as God’s loving people.

Hear an instrumental version of the song at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l2HJMdwWng

“We Give You But Your Own” (VU #542)

“We give you but your own,
Whate’er the gift may be,
All that we have is yours alone,
We give it gratefully.”

The words for our offering response were written by William Walsham How in 1858, and updated for use in Voices United. The music is by Johann Balthasar Konig (1738), with adaptations by William Henry Havergal (1847).

“Soil of God, You and I” (MV #174)

“Soil of God, you and I, stand ready to bear
Seeds of faith nourished by God’s tender care.
Growing in everyone for here God is found.
All stand together, we are…
Holy ground.

Soil of God, you and I, now ready to be
Part of God’s promise, for others to see.
Open to everyone for here God is found.
All stand together, we are…
Holy ground.

Soil of God, you and I, now called to rebirth,
Joining as partners with all of the earth.
Living in harmony for here God is found.
All stand together, this is…
Holy ground.”

Our closing hymn by jim hannah (1995) reminds us of our role in God’s creation using the metaphors of soil and planting.   First, the seed of faith is planted and nourished.  Then, the growth of our faith is seen and shared with others.  And finally, we find our place within all of God’s creation – for when we become a true part of the Creation, we find God.

“One More Step Along the World” (VU #639)

“One more step along the world we go,
One more step along the world we go,
From the old things to the new, keep us traveling along with you:
And it’s from the old we travel to the new; keep us traveling along with you.”

We will be using one verse of this hymn, with adapted lyrics, as our benediction response this week.   The hymn was written by Sydney Carter was written in 1971.  The words emphasize that living a faith-filled life is more about the journey than about having all of the answers.  It also speaks of our desire to have God with us as we live and learn in a world that is constantly changing.  We ask that God be with us, and we be with God, as we continue to move forward and change as Windsor Park United Church and as the United Church of Canada.

Thank you to members of the Worship Choir
for providing music leadership for this week’s service.