Notes on the Notes – March 30, 2025

Lent 4 

This week’s music: 

“There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy” (VU #271)

“There’s a wideness in God’s mercy like the wideness of the sea;
There’s a kindness in God’s justice which is more than liberty.

There is no place where earth’s sorrows are more felt than up in heaven;
There is no place where earth’s failings have such gracious judgment given.

There is plentiful redemption in the blood that Christ has shed;
There is joy for all the members in the sorrows of the Head.

Troubled souls, why will you scatter like a crowd of frightened sheep?
Foolish hearts, why will you wander from a love so true and deep?

For the love of God is broader than the measures of the mind,
And the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.”

This hymn is based on a poem by F.W. Faber, a 19th-century Anglican priest who converted to Roman Catholicism (1854).  The lyrics remind us that, no matter our mistakes or short-comings, we are still loved by God.  The tune we will be using is GOTT WILL’S MACHEN,  by the 18th-century Swiss composer, Johann Ludwig Steiner.

Hear the tune on pipe organ at:  https://youtu.be/rndo8V2u0hc

“Don’t Be Afraid” (MV #90)

“Don’t be afraid.
My love is stronger, 
my love is stronger than your fear.
Don’t be afraid.
My love is stronger 
and I have promised, promised to be always near.”

The response for our Lenten candle liturgy is by John L. Bell and Graham Maule (1995) of the Iona Community in Scotland.  Written in the voice of God, we are reminded of God’s love for us, even in times of fear and sorrow.

“And When You Call for Me” (MV #96)

“And when you call for me, I have already answered.
And when you call for me, I am already there.”

Our sung response to the Words of Assurance is also written from God’s perspective.  We are assured that God is always there for us when we call.  The song was written by Lynn Bauman in 2000, with music by Linnea Good (2004).

Hear the song at:  And When You Call for Me WPUC

“O God, How We Have Wandered” (VU #112)

“O God, how we have wandered and hidden from your face;
In foolishness have squandered your legacy of grace.
But how, in exile dwelling, we turn with fear and shame,
As distant but compelling, you call us each by name.

And now at length discerning the evil that we do,
By faith we are returning with hope and trust in you.
In haste you come to meet us, and home rejoicing bring,
In gladness there to greet us with calf and robe and ring.

O God of all the living, both banished and restored,
Compassionate, forgiving, our peace and hope assured.
Grant now that our transgressing, our faithlessness may cease.
Stretch out your hand in blessing, in pardon, and in peace.”

This hymn is a reflection on the parable of the Prodigal Son.  The words were written by Kevin Nichols (1980).  The author puts us in the place of the prodigal, but also gives us the assurance that, once we turn back to God, we will be welcomed and forgiven. The tune, LANCASHIRE, was written by Henry T. Smart in 1836.

Hear the tune played on piano at:  https://yout-u.be/ATB9aW3eIC8

“Only a Shadow”

“The love we have for you, O Lord, is only a shadow of your love for us;
Only a shadow of your love for us, your deep abiding love.

Our own belief in you, O Lord, is only a shadow of your faith in us;
Only a shadow of your faith in us; your deep and lasting faith.

Our lives are in your hands,
Our lives are in your hands.
Our love for you will grow, O Lord;
Your light in us will shine.

The dreams we have today, O Lord, are only a shadow of your dreams for us;
Only a shadow of your dreams for us; if we but follow you.

The joy we share today, O Lord, is only a shadow of your joys for us;
Only a shadow of your joys for us; when we meet face to face.

Our lives are in your hands,
Our lives are in your hands.
Our love for you will grow, O Lord;
Your light in us will shine.”

We are reminded of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness though the words of this song by Carey Landry (1971).

“These Lenten Gifts We Bring”

“These Lenten gifts we bring,
Our living faith expressed,
We offer them, most lovingly,
And thus our hearts are blessed.

O loving God receive
These gifts we gladly give,
That show our faith and hope and trust;
Your way we seek to live.”

Our Lenten offering response uses the tune FRANCONIA (VU #542), which was written by Johann Balthasar Konig (1738) and adapted by William Henry Havergal (1847).

“Come, Let Us Sing of a Wonderful Love” (VU #574)

“Come, let us sing of a wonderful love,
Tender and true, tender and true,
Out of the heart of the Father above,
Streaming to me and to you
Wonderful love, wonderful love
Dwells in the heart of the Father above.

Jesus the Saviour this gospel to tell
Joyfully came, joyfully came,
Came with the helpless and hopeless to dwell,
Sharing their sorrow and shame,
Seeking the lost, seeking the lost,
Saving, redeeming at measureless cost.

Jesus is seeking the wanderers yet;
Why do they roam?  Why do they roam?
Love only waits to forgive and forget;
Home, weary wanderers, home!
Wonderful love, wonderful love
Dwells in the heart of the Father above.

Come to my heart, O thou wonderful love!
Come and abide, come and abide,
Lifting my life till it rises above envy and falsehood and pride:
Seeking to be, seeking to be lowly and humble, a learner of thee.”

This hymn was written by Robert Walmsley, a jeweler in Manchester and a Congregationalist leader of the Manchester Sunday School Union, in 1900.  Adam Watson’s WONDERFUL LOVE is the tune known to Canadian congregations for Robert Walmsley’s text.  The hymn leads us from the eternal love of God for us, through the coming of Jesus, who tells of us God’s love and searches for the lost, to the yearning for God’s continuing love.

Hear the hymn sung by The Harmony Singers: Come, Let Us Sing of a Wonderful Love WPUC

“May the Christ Who Walks on Wounded Feet” 

“May the Christ who walks on wounded feet
Travel with you all your journey through.
May you see Christ’s face in all you meet
And may all you meet see Christ’s face in you.”

Our benediction response was written by Allan Baer in 2013 and arranged by S. Porter. The words are adapted from a traditional Celtic prayer.

Hear the song at: May the Christ Who Walks WPUC