Notes on the Notes – May 14, 2017

This week’s theme:

Women of the Bible

This week’s music:

“The River is Here”

“Down the mountain the river flows and it brings refreshing wherever it goes.
Through the valleys and over the fields the river is rushing and the river is here.

The river of God is teeming with life and all who touch it can be revived;
And those who linger on this river’s shore will come back thirsting for more of the Lord.

Up to the mountain we love to go to find the presence of the Lord.
Along the banks of the river we run – we dance with laughter giving praise to the Son.

The river of God sets our feet a-dancing,
The river of God fills our hearts with cheer.
The river of God fills our mouths with laughter,
And we rejoice for the river is here.”

In 1994 Andy Park received a song idea from someone, although he didn’t know that’s what it was at first.  Here’s what he says, in his own words:

‘This song began when I received a picture in my mind’s eye of a mountain with a river running down it. I prayed about it, not realizing that it was a word from God to prompt a new song. I did a word study in the Bible for “mountain” and “river” and found imagery in Ezekiel, the Psalms and the book of Revelation which provided the basis for the song. While on a brief personal retreat I wrote the song.’

See the song interpreted through dance at:  https://youtu.be/rbs0sAgG2s8

“Lord, Prepare Me to Be a Sanctuary” (MV #18)

“Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true; with thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you.”

This song of preparation for prayer was written by John W. Thompson and Randy Scruggs in 1982.    The lyrics of “Sanctuary” are a simple request for God to purify oneself. In addition to calling on God, it is implied that one must take some step to be purified. The end result is that a person will be a living sanctuary for God. This powerful song has impacted people for over thirty years, and it is sure to continue on this path for years to come. To listen to this song go to:  https://youtu.be/4LiTy7ndOzw

 “Ka mana’o ‘I ‘O” (MV #103)

“Kamana’o ‘I ‘O
O ko kakou Akua.
Faithful, faithful is our God.

In love there is no one more faithful than our God,
Who brings the light into our darkness.
The God who shares the breath of life with you and me,
All living things upon the earth.

In quiet moments God whispers tenderly
The mystery of unending love.
For God is good, and holds us as we sleep,
To wake us to the morning light.

The mercy of our God we seek to share each day,
To help each other on our way,
To be God’s hands and heart with tenderness and care.
God’s faithfulness is always there.

When we share love, we share respect and care,
The gifts and bonds of human kindness.
And in our journey, may love lead the way.
To be God’s living, sing this day.”

This song was written by Joe Camacho in 1999. The Hawaiian opening phrase translates as “Faithful is our God.”

“Everlasting God”

“Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord.
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord.
Our God, You reign forever. Our Hope, our strong Deliverer.

You are the everlasting God, the everlasting God.
You do not faint, You won’t grow weary.
You’re the defender of the weak, You comfort those in need,
You lift us up on wings like eagles.”

This song was written by Brenton Brown and Ken Riley in 2005.  It is based on Isaiah 40.

Hear Brenton Brown talk about writing the song at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZS7cy7OEUYI

Hear the song at:  https://youtu.be/nuudVoMyZyE

“How Great Thou Art”  (VU #238)

“O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the works Thy hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul…

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul…

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim, “My God, how great Thou art!”

Then sings my soul…”

A Praise Team and congregational favourite, the words of this hymn are an echo of the awe felt by the writer of Psalm 8.   The hymn How Great Thou Art travelled a long road before it ended up a favorite addition to English hymnals. The original version was a poem written by a Swedish pastor, Reverend Carl Boberg in 1886.   In 1933, English missionaries to the Ukraine, Reverend and Mrs. Stuart K. Hine heard the song for the first time, fell in love with it and sang it often throughout their missionary journeys. As they traveled the Carpathian Mountains, the couple was inspired by the incredible beauty to translate the first three verses of the song into English. When WWII broke out in 1939, the Hines returned to England carrying How Great Thou Art to its new home. After the war they wrote the fourth verse and arranged the original Swedish folk tune to be published in English hymnals. In the 1950s, the song was copyrighted and widely published in America, becoming more and more popular. When George Beverly Shea and the Billy Graham gospel choir, directed by Cliff Barrows, began to sing the song at virtually every crusade event, How Great Thou Art soon became one of the most recognized songs around the world. (source:  Share Faith website)

Here are just a few of the amazing variety of interpretations of this much-loved hymn:

Singer Song-writer Lauren Daigle:  https://youtu.be/8BL06fxHPVo

5000 voices at the Royal Albert Hall at: https://youtu.be/FfmCH56VsSg

Cool version with traditional, world and modern drums at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt8egypk_Lo

“Stir Us, Lord”

“Stir up in our hearts, oh, Lord, what you want us to do.
You showed your love upon the cross. We want to give of our lives to you.

Show us the faces of all of those in need.
Move us to action,
Giving with a joyful heart,
Loving is the place to start.
Let your spirit plant the seed.

With gifts we’ve been given help us see where we fit in.
We’re part of one family,
Knowing that we have a place,
Serving by your gift of grace.
Keep your spirit stirred within.”

This song by Hans Peterson and Meg Sander (1993) asks God to bring the needs of others to our hearts and minds and reminds us of the many ways we can give of ourselves.

“Blessed to be a Blessing” –  This song by Michael Schmid reminds us of the many ways that we have been richly blessed by God.  Having been so blessed we are called to be a blessing to others, shining forth God’s life in our lives.  This song was written for St. John’s Lutheran School in Napa, California as the school’s theme song for the 2001-2002 school year.

“Blessed to be a blessing.  Blessed to live your love.  Blessed to share with others every blessing from above.  Blessed to walk in mercy.  Blessed to light the way.  Oh, blessed to be a blessing every day.

Oh my Jesus, You have blessed me.  You died for me to take my sin away.  Now You live Your life in me and the love received is love I give away.

Oh my Jesus, make me a blessing.  In my work and play, in everything I do.  Oh, let Your blessing flow through me, that in seeing me, may others see You…”

“Go Light Your World”

“There is a candle in every soul; some brightly burning, some dark and cold.  There is a Spirit who brings a fire, ignites a candle and makes His home. 

So carry your candle, run to the darkness, seek out the hopeless, confused and torn.  Hold out your candle for all to see it.  Take your candle and go light your world.

Frustrated brother, see how he’s tried to light his own candle some other way.  See now your sister, she’s been robbed and lied to, still holds a candle without a flame.

We are a family whose hearts are blazing, so let’s raise our candles and light up the sky.  Praying to our Father, in the name of Jesus, make us a beacon in darkest time…”

The words for this song were written by American singer-songwriter Chris Rice in 1993.    A native of Clinton, Maryland, Chris grew up as the second of four sons born to bookstore owners. His parents, and other adult mentors, influenced Rice’s Christian faith and his early work with youth and college students.  Having taken only three years of piano lessons as a child, Rice did not aspire to a career in either music or student work. But frequent invitations to speak and lead music at his church’s youth group events led to more such invitations throughout his college years.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Communication. While leading music and coaching high school soccer teams he began writing songs. What began as weekend and summer work with youth and college students soon turned into a full-time career during his twenties and thirties, and prompted Rice to write and perform mainly on the guitar.

Rice’s songwriting career began in the mid-1980s, after moving from his Washington, D.C., home to Nashville, Tenn. During that period several of Rice’s songs were recorded by other artists, including Kathy Troccoli, Terri Gibbs, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant and John Tesh.  He began his recording career in 1996.

Hear Chris Rice sing this song at:  https://youtu.be/z5IXiVqU9OM

“Lead Us Out”

“Lead us up. We want to know You better.
Lead us up. Fill our hearts and make us more life You.
Lead us up. Ever growing closer.
Oh lead us up into You, Lord.

Lead us up, lead us in, lead us out into Your world.
Lead us now, and we’ll follow you today.
Lead us onward by Your grace, until we see Your face.
Lead us out into Your world.

Lead us in. We want to love like You do.
Lead us in. Make of us one body in Your love.
Lead us in. Loving one another.
Oh lead us in Your love, O Lord.

Lead us up, lead us in, lead us out into Your world.
Lead us now, and we’ll follow you today.
Lead us onward by Your grace, until we see Your face.
Lead us out into Your world.

Lead us out. We want to be a blessing.
Lead us out into the world You gave Your life to save.
Lead us out to tell them all about You.
Oh lead us out into Your world.

Lead us up, lead us in, lead us out into Your world.
Lead us now, and we’ll follow you today.
Lead us onward by Your grace, until we see Your face.
Lead us out into Your world.”

This song, also by Michael A. Schmid, was written in 2008.  The song was written for the new vision statement of the congregation he serves, St. John’s Lutheran Church in Napa, CA.  The three parts of the Vision (Lead us up, lead us in, lead us out) refer to God’s call to be in growing relationships with God, with other followers of Jesus, and with he world that we’re trying to reach.  Of ultimate importance is God’s mission through the church.  In that sense, He leads us up and in, so that He might lead us out.