Notes on the Notes – May 14, 2023
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Mother’s Day
This week’s music:
“Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth” (VU #320)
“Mothering God, you gave me birth
In the bright morning of this world.
Creator, source of every breath,
You are my rain, my wind, my sun.
Mothering Christ, you took my form,
Offering me your food of light,
Grain of my life, and grape of love,
Your very body for my peace.
Mothering Spirit, nurturing one,
In arms of patience hold me close,
So that in faith I root and grow
Until I flower, until I know.”
“‘Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth’ makes use of feminine imagery in depicting God to help us understand and celebrate God’s creation and nurture of humanity. It is significant to note that Jean Janzen’s hymn text draws upon imagery from a fifteenth century contemplative, Juliana of Norwich.
The line “Mothering God, you gave me birth in the bright morning of the world” is a statement of recognition and thanksgiving for God’s creative act in Genesis. We understand the science of human procreation and the birthing role of the mother. It is natural for us to believe that God is present in that process today. Indeed, it is natural to say that it is God who remains the ultimate Creator, the ultimate life-giver in the birthing process.
When the poet author says God is the rain, wind, and sun, she is not suggesting that God is literally rain, wind, and sun. We understand these as parts of God’s creation and necessary gifts to us that provide for human existence. It is a poetic device to recognize that just as God gives us life, God also nurtures and sustains the continuation of life.
Stanza two recognizes that Christ, God incarnate in human form, who literally gave his life for us and who continues to sustain us through the sacrament, also bears a similarity to the role of a mother in human interaction. Here, the poet recognizes one mark of parents, both mothers and fathers: sacrificial love that, if necessary, risks one’s own life for the sake of the children.
Stanza three similarly speaks of a mothering aspect of the Spirit in the work of continuing nurture and intimacy, the bringing and growing in the faith.
These images, rather than being attempts to replace the patriarchal God of the Scriptures with feminine deities, help us to experience and understand the fullness of the Trinitarian God in terms of human relationships and experiences.” (Source: https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/) The music for the hymn is by Henry Baker (1854).
To learn more about the life and times of Julian (Juliana) of Norwich, visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_of_Norwich
“Cares Chorus”
“I cast all my cares upon you,
I lay all of my burdens down at your feet.
And anytime that I don’t know what to do
I cast all my cares upon you.”
This simple chorus was written by Kelly Willard in 1978. Her “Cares Chorus” was based on 1 Peter 5:6-7, where Peter writes about how to handle hard things, especially when we don’t understand. Peter says: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you.”
“Peter reminds us to pray in troubled times, something we often forget in painful circumstances. Writer Andree Seu Peterson was a young widow with four children who realized, “Thinking a lot is not the same as praying a lot.” Negative over-thinking and rumination is toxic. It leaves us feeling overwhelmed, pessimistic, and powerless. Peter says to throw all our anxieties, cares, concerns, and worries on God.” (Source: https://wohbm.org/all-your-anxieties/)
Hear the song at: https://youtu.be/zn7RHpQ6ots
“How Deep the Peace” (MV #95)
“How deep the peace, the confidence
Of those whose hearts are forgiven.
How deep the peace, the confidence
Of those who hearts are healed.”
Our response to the Words of Assurance is based on Psalm 32. Having left our concerns with God through prayer, we hear of God’s unfailing love. This hymn was written by Linnea Good in 2004.
“Under His Wings”
“Under His wings I am safely abiding,
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me, and I am His child.
Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.
Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.
Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.
Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,
Resting in Jesus, I’m safe evermore.
Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.”
William Orcutt Cushing (December 31, 1823 – October 19, 1902) was an American Unitarian minister and hymn writer from Hingham, Massachusetts. During the late 19th century, Cushing wrote the hymn titled, “Under His Wings.” The words of this hymn reflected Cushing’s personal suffering, and were inspired by Psalm 17:8, which states “keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of your wings.” Ira Sankey eventually added a tune to this piece.
In 1870 and shortly after his wife’s death, Cushing suffered from a “creeping paralysis” that caused him to lose his voice, requiring him to retire from the ministry after 27 years in it. After retiring, Cushing asked God for something to do to occupy his time. He discovered he had a talent for hymn writing and made that a way to keep busy after work in the ministry. Throughout the rest of his life, Cushing wrote 300 hymns. “Under His Wings” was one of Cushing’s later hymns. (Source: Wikipedia)
Hear the hymn at: “Under His Wings” WPUC Harmony Singers
“God Will Make a Way”
“God will make a way when there seems to be no way,
He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me.
He will be my guide, hold me closely to His side,
With love and strength for each new day,
He will make a way. He will make a way.
By a roadway in the wilderness He’ll lead me.
Rivers in the desert will I see.
Heaven and earth will fade,
But His word will still remain.
And He will do something new today.
God will make a way when there seems to be no way,
He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me.
He will be my guide, hold me closely to His side,
With love and strength for each new day,
He will make a way. He will make a way.
God will make a way when there seems to be no way,
He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me.
He will be my guide, hold me closely to His side,
With love and strength for each new day,
He will make a way. He will make a way.
With love and strength for each new day,
He will make a way. He will make a way.”
This song by Don Moen, born out of tragedy, reminds us that, in times of trial, and especially in times of extreme trial, we need to be assured that we have a God who loves us and who will provide for our every need, whether it be physical, emotional, or spiritual.
“Love Grows Here”
“Take a look around you, tell me what you see;
People here to worship the Lord, just like you and me.
Some have come in gladness, some have come with fear;
But all have come because they know that love grows here!
Yes, love grows here, and all of us can share the wonder and joy that it can bring.
For God is near, teaching us to care, and showing our hearts how to sing.
Some of us are lonely, some have many friends;
Some lives just beginning, some are near the end.
Yet we come together knowing He is near,
Once again reminding us that love grows here!
Yes, love grows here, and all of us can share the wonder and joy that it can bring.
For God is near, teaching us to care, and showing our hearts how to sing.
Love grows here.
Yes, love grows here.”
This song by Don Besig was written in 1979.
“He’s Always Been Faithful to Me”
“Morning by morning, I wake up to find
The power and comfort of God’s hand in mine.
Season by season I watch Him, amazed,
In awe of the myst’ry of His perfect ways.
All I have need of His hand will provide.
He’s always been faithful to me.
I can’t remember a trial or a pain He did not recycle to bring me gain.
I can’t remember one single regret in serving God only
And trusting His hand.
All I have need of His hand will provide.
He’s always been faithful to me.
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee.
Thou changest not; Thy compassions, they fail not,
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide.
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Wondrous the portion Thy blessings provide.
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided.
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!
This is my anthem,
This is my song;
The theme of the stories I’ve heard for so long.
God has been faithful, He will be again.
His loving compassion, it know no end.
All I have need of His hand will provide.
He’s always been faithful to me.”
This song has words and music by Sara Groves. It is based on the hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness” by Thomas O. Chisholm and William M. Runyan. The arrangement is by Gary Rhodes. The lyrics, both by Sara Groves and Thomas O. Chisholm express a trust in God’s faithfulness. God has been faithful in the past, is faithful in the present and will continue to be faithful till the end of the age. Combining new words and music with a beloved favourite hymn makes the song meaningful to people of all generations.
Hear the song sung by Sara Groves at: https://youtu.be/cTLfQ05Otk0
Hear the song sung by The Zoe Group (acapella) at: https://youtu.be/1DOvGHB9qbc
“Grant Us, God, the Grace of Giving” (VU #540)
“Grant us, God, the grace of giving,
With a spirit large and free,
That ourselves and all our living
We may offer faithfully.”
The text of our offering response comes from the Mennonite hymn book, “Hymnal: a Worship Book,” and reminds us to freely and faithfully share our gifts. The tune is a familiar one which is also used for the Advent hymn “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” (VU #2).
“Would You Bless Our Homes and Families” (VU #556)
“Would you bless our homes and families, source of life who calls us here;
In our world of stress and tension teach us love that conquers fear.
Help us learn to love each other with a love that constant stays;
Teach us when we face our troubles, love’s expressed in many ways.
When our way is undemanding, let us use the time that’s ours
To delight in simple pleasures, sharing joys in gentle hours.
When our way is anxious walking and a heavy path we plod,
Teach us trust in one another and in you, our gracious God.
From the homes in which we’re nurtured, with the love that shapes us there,
Teach us, God, to claim as family everyone whose life we share.
And through all that life may offer, may we in your love remain;
May the love we share in families be alive to praise your name.
Let us reach beyond the boundaries of our daily thought and care
Till the family you have chosen spills its love out everywhere.
Help us learn to love each other with a love that constant stays;
Teach us when we face our troubles, love’s expressed in many ways.”
This hymn, by Walter Farquharson and Ron Klusmeier, was published in Worship the Lord (1977), a collection of hymns by Walter Farquharson, Fred Kaan, and Ron Klusmeier, and it was also a popular selection in the United Church Hymnary supplement, Songs for a Gospel People (1987).
“Amen, Hallelujah” (VU #974)
“Amen! Amen! Hallelujah, Amen!
Amen! Amen! Hallelujah, Amen!”
Our benediction response this week was written by Jim Strathdee (1985).
Thank you to The Harmony Singers for providing music leadership this week.
