Notes on the Notes – May 28, 2023

Pentecost Sunday

This week’s music: 

“Oh, a Song Must Rise” (MV #142)

“Oh, a song must rise for the spirit to descend
          Oh, a song must rise once again
          Singing out God’s praises and glory,
          The faithful voices blend,
          Oh, a song must rise for the spirit to descend.
 
          From the mountains to the valleys,
          From the desert to the sea,
          A song must rise once again.
          From the voices of our leaders,
          The voice of you and me,
          A song must rise for the spirit to descend.

          From poverty and riches,
          From the voice of young and old,
          A song must rise once again.
          From the free and the imprisoned,
          The timid and the bold,
          A song must rise for the spirit to descend.

          From every house of worship,
          In every faith and tongue,
          A song must rise once again.
          From the villages and cities
          A new song must be sung,
          A song must rise for the spirit to descend.”

The words and music for this lively song are by Paul B. Svenson (1995).  The arrangement we will be using this week is by Bryn Nixon (2006) as it appears in More Voices.

See a teaching video of this song sung by choir and congregation at: https://youtu.be/Y4Q7XghWg-c

“Spirit of Life” (VU #381)

“Spirit of Life, come unto me.
Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion.
Blow in the wind, rise in the sea; move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice.
Roots hold me close; wings set me free;
Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me.”

This sung prayer is by Carolyn McDade and was written in 1981.  It was arranged by Grace Lewis-McLaren and published in 1993.

Hear a choral arrangement of the song at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM-MHSKBL4g

“Gather Me”

“I listened for the Word of God, in fire and wind and rain.
I leaned into the edge of dawn to find the truth again.
I breathed into each moment, I wakened every dream.
Holy Spirit come and gather me.

Gather me into Light and into Love.
Gather me, let the songs of Life be sung.
Come, Holy Spirit, and gather me.

I called out for the Love of God, to save me from my pain.
I sheltered in the darkest nights to bring me hope again.
I climbed up every mountain, I battled storm and sea.
Holy Spirit, come and gather me.

Gather me…

I walked upon the fertile soil, I looked up to the sky.
I followed every sacred star, each sign that passed me by.
I reached my hands to heaven, that Love might gentle me.
Holy Spirit, come and gather me.

Gather me…”

Today’s anthem was written by Pat Mayberry in 2019 and arranged by David Kai.

“What Can I Do” (MV #191)

“What can I do?  What can I bring?
What can I say?  What can I sing?
I’ll sing with joy.  I’ll say a prayer.
I’ll bring my love.  I’ll do my share”

This joyful song of offering and dedication was written by Paul Rumbolt and Michele McCarthy (2005). The arrangement in More Voices is by Alan C. Whitmore.

“May We Rise”

“May we rise with all Creation as the Spirit gives us strength.
May we heed the inner wisdom that God’s loving knows no length.
May we be a faith filled people, living out compassion’s way.
May we find the heart-felt courage to embrace the dawning day.

May we rise. Let the songs of Love be sung.
May we rise. Sisters, brothers we are one, we are one.

May we walk to meet the shadows of our woundedness and grief.
May we trust the Holy Spirit to bring healing and relief.
May we live with Love and justice, bring Your messages of Peace.
May we know the guiding power of Your gift of Grace released.

May we rise. Let the songs of Love be sung.
May we rise. Sisters, brothers we are one, we are one.

May we reach beyond the bound’ries of the walls that do divide.
May we feel the gift of Presence in Life’s circle with no sides.
May we listen for Your calling, hearts be open to Your Way.
May we live as one in Christ. As one people, God we pray.

May we rise. Let the songs of Love be sung.
May we rise. Sisters, brothers we are one, we are one.

“May We Rise” was one of the songs selected by a Canadian ecumenical committee and the World Council of Churches to be part of the worship material for 2015′s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The song was written by Pat Mayberry and John Wesley Oldham (2012) and has been arranged for piano by David Kai.

“May the Grace of Christ”

“May the grace of Christ attend us,
And the love of God surround us,
And the Holy Spirit keep us,
Now and ever, always.
Amen, amen, forever and ever,
Amen.”

Our benediction response was written by Jeeva Sam.

Thank you to the Harmony Singers for providing music leadership for this service.