Notes on the Notes – November 21, 2021

This Week’s Music: 

“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…

But 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 there proclaim, “My God, how great thou art!”

Then sings my soul,…”

A 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 favourite 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 travelled 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.  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:

See the group, Anthem Lights, sing this hymn at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48i4l1715uc

George Beverly Shea at a Billy Graham crusade event:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNVbMooaH0s

A vintage 1971 clip of the Statler Brothers:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GmO6kQP_B0

“Lord Prepare Me” (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 simple song was written by John W. Thompson and Randy Scruggs in 1982.    The lyrics of “Sanctuary” are a request for God to purify oneself.   We come before God as flawed individuals, trusting in God’s love and grace.  Safe in this love, we thankfully become a living vessel for God.

To listen to the song go to:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LiTy7nd

“You are Holy”

Michael W. Smith, well-known contemporary Christian artist, popularized this song by Marc Imboden and Tammi Rhoton. We will be using the arrangement by Richard Kingsmore.

“You are holy, You are mighty, You are worthy of praise.
I will follow, I will listen, I will love you all of my days.
I will sing to And worship The King who is worthy
I will love and adore Him And I will bow down before Him

You are Lord of Lords.  You are King of Kings.
You are mighty God – Lord of everything.
You’re Emmanuel.  You’re the great “I AM.”
You’re the Prince of Peace who is the Lamb.
You’re the living God.  You’re my saving grace.
You will reign forever.  You are Ancient of days.
You are Alpha, Omega, Beginning and End.
You’re my Saviour, Messiah, Redeemer and friend.
You’re my Prince of Peace and I will live my life for You.”

Watch Michael W. Smith performing the song at:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tt9hWMufODY

“There is No One Like Jesus”

“O there is no one like my Jesus,
O there is no one like my Jesus,
O there is no one like my Jesus,
Forever and ever it will be! Sing halleluia!

I’ve walked around and there’s none like Him.
I’ve searched around and there’s non like Him.
I’ve gone around and there’s none like Him.
Forever and ever it will be! Sing halleluia!”

This traditional East African Song is arranged by Joseph M. Martin. It is a popular worship song in Kenya. The words are an assurance that, even after all of our searching and looking, there is truly no one like Jesus.

“Lead Me, Lord” 

“Lead me, Lord, I will follow.
Lead me, Lord, I will go.
You have called me, I will answer.
Lead me, Lord, I will go.”

Our benediction response was written by Wayne and Elizabeth Goodine in 1994.   As we come to the end of worship, we once again make our commitment to follow Jesus throughout the coming week.