Notes on the Notes – March 15, 2015 – Lent 4

This week’s theme:  Complex, conflicting messages

This week’s scripture readings:

Numbers 21:4-9

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+21%3A4-9&version=MSG

John 3:14-21

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3%3A14-21&version=NIV

This week’s music:

“Here I Am to Worship”

“Light of the world You stepped down into darkness.
Opened my eyes, let me see.
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You

Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down,
Here I am to say that You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely, altogether worthy,
Altogether wonderful to me

King of all days oh, so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came to the earth You created
All for love’s sake became poor

Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down,
Here I am to say that You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely, altogether worthy,
Altogether wonderful to me

I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross

Here I am to worship…”

This praise and worship song was written by Tim Hughes.  When speaking about the song, he says, “The main motivation behind the song was simply trying to capture a response to Jesus giving up his throne in Heaven to walk upon the earth and ultimately to die upon a cross,” he confirms.  “For me personally, it’s been very exciting and a real privilege to see how God has used the song.”  To learn more about the creation of the song, go to http://www.crosswalk.com/church/worship/song-story-here-i-am-to-worship-1227531.html

For a reggae version of the song, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=foD-Ojwefus

“Open my Eyes”

“Open my eyes, Lord.  Help me to see your face.
Open my eyes, Lord.  Help me to see.

Open my ears, Lord.  Help me to hear your voice.
Open my ears, Lord.  Help me to hear.

Open my heart, Lord.  Help me to love like you.
Open my heart, Lord.  Help me to love.

And the first shall be last, and our eyes are opened and we’ll hear like never before.
And we’ll speak in new ways, and we’ll see God’s face in places we’ve never known.”

This song was written by Jesse Manibusan. The text is based on Mark 8:22-25 and Psalm 51:12-14a.

“God So Loved the World”

“God so loved, He so loved our world that He gave us His only son that if we will believe in Him we will have everlasting life.
For God sent not His Son to condemn the world, but that all through Him might be saved.”

This setting of the words of John 3:16 is by Jack Hayford.

“Once Again”

“Jesus Christ, I think upon Your sacrifice
You became nothing, poured out to death
Many times, I’ve wondered at your gift of life
I’m in that place once again
I’m in that place once again

And once again I look upon the cross where You died
I’m humbled by Your mercy and I’m broken inside
Once again I thank You,
Once again I pour out my life

Now You are exalted to the highest place
King of the Heavens, where one day I’ll bow
But for now, I’ll marvel at Your saving grace
I’m full of praise once again
Oh I’m full of praise once again

And once again I look upon the cross where You died
I’m humbled by Your mercy and I’m broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life

Thank you for the cross
Thank you for the cross
Thank you for the cross, my friend…”

This praise and worship song was written by Matt Redman in 1995.  Matt Redman (born 14 February 1974) is an English Christian worship leader, singer-songwriter and author based in Brighton, West Sussex, United Kingdom.

“God Comes Along”

This song by Larry Shackley and Herb Frombach reminds us of the many ways God surprises us by His love and care.

“Somewhere between where you are and where you’re going, God comes along and gently takes your hand.
Somewhere between all your doubting and your knowing, God comes along and helps you understand.

Somewhere between all your waking and your sleeping, God comes along to guide you through the day.
Somewhere between all your hurting and your healing, God comes along and urges you to pray.

God alone knows who you are, and where you need to be.
He created all that you are, and guides your destiny.

Somewhere between your today and your tomorrow, God comes along and sees your heavy grief.
Somewhere between all the pain and all the sorrow, God comes along and helps you find relief.”

“Love the Lord”

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul,
With all your mind and with all your strength.

With all your heart
With all your soul
With all your mind
And with all your strength

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul
With all your mind and with all your strength.

I will serve the Lord with all my heart, with all my soul
With all my mind and with all my strength

With all my heart…

I will love You (I will love You)
I will praise You (I will praise You)
I will serve You, Lord (I will serve You)
I will trust You, Lord (I will trust You)

And with all my heart…

I will love You Lord with all my heart, with all my soul
With all my mind and with all my strength.”

Lincoln Brewster talks about the story behind this song at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P95C3jkwBYs

“Let it Be Said of Us”

“Let it be said of us that the Lord was our passion
That with gladness we bore every cross we were given
That we fought the good fight, that we finished our course
Knowing within us the power of the risen Lord

Let the cross be our glory and the Lord be our song
By mercy made holy, by the Spirit made strong
Let the cross be our glory and the Lord be our song
‘Till the likeness of Jesus be through us made known
Let the cross be our glory and the Lord be our song

Let it be said of us we were marked by forgiveness
We were known by our love and delighted in meekness
We were ruled by his peace, heeding unity’s call
Joined as one body that Christ would be seen by all

Let the cross be our glory….”

This song was written by Steve Fry.

Hear the Maranatha Singers at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Owf7Axv5WqA

Hear the Bethel Presbyterian Church Choir  at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmktC8IayC4