Notes on the Notes – June 23, 2019

This week’s theme:

Leave Me Alone/Never Leave Me

This week’s scripture readings:

 1 Kings 19:11-15  Psalm 42  Galatians 3:23-29

This week’s music:

“Blest Be the Tie That Binds” (VU #602)

“Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love;
The unity of heart and mind is like to that above.

Before our Maker’s throne we pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, our comforts and our cares.

We share each other’s woes, each other’s burdens bear;
And often for each other flows the sympathizing tear.

This glorious hope revives our courage on the way;
That we shall live in perfect love in God’s eternal day.”

This familiar hymn was written in 1782.  John Fawcett was an English Baptist pastor, school master, and author.  He spent his entire ministry in Wainsgate, Yorkshire, and most of his hymns were written to follow his sermons.  He published this hymn in his Hymns Adapted to the Circumstances of Public Worship and Private Devotion.   It is alleged that he wrote the text after a last-minute decision not to leave his pastorate to go to a church in London.  The tune, arranged by Lowell Mason, is attributed to Johann G. Naegeli, the Swiss music publisher and educator who promoted the system of music instruction devised by Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi.

Hear an instrumental rendition of the hymn at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTJ0T6-O9CY

Hear an a cappella choral version at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNOfw1NVAyo

Watch the group “Sisters” sing this hymn in four different styles at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No56NKsN6pg

“My Soul is Thirsting for You”  (MV #109)

“My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord,
Thirsting for you, my God.
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord,
Thirsting for you, my God,
Thirsting for you, my God.

O God you are my God, and I will always praise you.
In the shadow of your wings I cling to you and you hold me high.
 
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord,…
 
Through the day you walk with me, all the night your love surrounds me.
To the glory of your name I lift my hands, I sing your praise.
 
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord,…”

The words and music for this song were written by Steve Angrisano in 1997.   It is based on Psalm 63.   Hear Steve singing the song at:  My Soul is Thirsting for You.  Steve Angrisano is also the composer of the popular hymn “Go Make a Difference.”

“In You There is a Refuge” (MV #84)

“In you there is a refuge,
In you we find our peace.
When all we know is chaos may our trust in you increase.
In you there is a silence,
In you our minds are clear.
When all we hear is discord may your quiet draw us near.

In you there is a vision,
In you we learn to dream.
When all we see is desert may you be our living stream.
In you there is a future,
In you we find our way.
When hope has shed its brightness may you show us a new day.”

The words of this song were written by Keri K. Wehlander in 2005.  The music is by Linnea Good (2005).  Keri has 4 hymns published in More Voices.   Wehlander is an author, hymn lyricist, and retreat leader.

“As the Deer Pants for the Water” (VU #766)

“As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you;
You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship you.

You alone are my strength, my shield,
To you alone may my spirit yield,
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you!

Day and night I cry, my heart is breaking, tears my only food;
While my enemies jeer and taunt me, saying “Where is Now your God?”

Why am I so sad, so troubled, why must suffering be so long?
I will hope in you, my God and saviour, praise you with a song!”

This setting of Psalm 42 was written by Martin Nystrom (1983) with additional verses by Lydia Pedersen in 1995.

Hear an instrumental version of the song at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VprrJ35Bx04

“I Will Joyfully Sing”

“I will joyfully sing in the morning;
I will joyfully sing all the day;
I’ll sing praises to Thee in the morning,
For the Lord is the strength of my day.

I will lift up my eyes in the morning,
For the Lord will not turn me away;
I’ll sing praises to Thee in the morning,
For the Lord is the strength of my day.

I will sing!
I will sing!
I will sing of praises, His goodness to me.
I will sing!”

This week’s lively anthem is by Mary McDonald (1985/2009).  The words are adapted from Psalm 59:16.

“Draw the Circle Wide” (MV #145)

“Draw the circle wide.  Draw it wider still.
Let this be our song, no one stands alone, standing side by side,
Draw the circle wide.

God the still-point of the circle,
‘Round whom all creation turns;
nothing lost, but held forever,
In God’s gracious arms.

Let the dreams we dream be larger
Than we’ve ever dreamed before;
Let the dream of Christ be in us,
Open every door.”

This now-familiar hymn of inclusion was written by Gordon Light of the Common Cup Company in 1994.  It was arranged by Michael Bloss in 1998.  The Common Cup Company is a musical group featuring songwriters Gordon Light & Ian Macdonald.  Their musical ministry began in 1979 when Light (an Anglican Priest and later Bishop), met Ian Macdonald and Jim Uhrich (both United Church ministers) while serving neighboring churches in Winnipeg, Canada.  Jim Uhrich also served as interim minister at Windsor Park United Church.  Bob Wallace joined the group in 1982, his voice strengthening and enriching the group’s sound.  In the following decades this original quartet wrote, performed, & recorded together despite living in different corners the country.

Hear the hymn at: https://youtu.be/zBNQ3zA7ulU