Notes on the Notes – November 24, 2024

Reign of Christ Sunday

This week’s music: 

“Christ is the Truth, the Way” 

“Christ is the truth, the way, the endless light of life.
Christ shares the struggles of our day, our earthly joy and strife.
Redeeming what is lost, and healing human pain,
Christ walks the valley of the cross, that all may rise again.

Christ is the living bread and source of grace outpoured;
Our deepest hungers shall be fed and life will be restored.
All those who thirst rejoice, by living water filled.
The good shall welcome with one voice the justice God has willed.

Christ sends the Spirit now, that we may all be one,
All people joining hands in love that justice will be done.
The lion shall lie down in peace beside the lamb.
The mighty shall lay down their crowns before the great “I am.” 

Christ is the gift of love, forgiveness, joy, and grace,
That all may live in unity and hope in every place.
We go where Jesus led when others’ pain we bear;
Responding to our neighbors’ needs, Christ’s cross and crown we share.”

Our opening hymn this week has words written by Ruth Duck.  The tune is DIADEMATA, commonly known as the tune for the hymn “Crown Him with Many Crowns” (1851).  Theology has changed over the past century from a more martial view of Jesus as a conquering king to a view of Jesus as a servant king.  We live as Christians with Jesus’ example to follow.

“Come and Fill Our Hearts” (MV #16)

“Come and fill our hearts with your peace.
You alone, O Lord, are holy.
Come and fill our hearts with your peace,
Alleluia.”

This short song of centering and healing prayer comes from the Taize Community, with music by Jacques Berthier (1982). We will be using it in response to the Assurance of Pardon.

“Holy is Your Name”

“Holy, holy, holy is Your name, O Lord.
Holy, holy, holy is Your name.

Some will call you Master, Counsellor and Friend.
Some will say the Prophet or the Lamb.
You are Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.
You are Son of God and Son of Man.

O Lord, we praise You, and we exalt You.
We proclaim You King for evermore.
At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow
And every tongue confess that You are Lord.

Some may call You Teacher; some, the One True Light,
Prince of Peace and Saviour of the World.
You’re the Rock of our salvation; the Way, the Truth, the Life.
You are Lord of all; You are the Word.

O Lord, we praise You…”

This week’s anthem was written by Don Besig and Nancy Price in 2010. On Reign of Christ Sunday, we are invited to examine the many ways of seeing Jesus.

“O Christ, What Can it Mean for Us”

“O Christ, what can it mean for us to claim You as our king?
What royal face have You revealed whose praise the Church would sing?
Aspiring not to glory’s height, to power, wealth, and fame,
You walked a different lowly way, another’s will Your aim.

You came, the image of our God, to heal and to forgive,
To shed Your blood for sinners’ sake that we might rise and live.
To break the law of death You came, the law of love to bring;
A different rule of righteousness, a different kind of king.

Though some would make their greatness felt and lord it over all,
You said the first must be the last and service be our call.
O Christ, in work-place, church, and home let none to power cling;
For still, through us, You come to serve, a different kind of king.

You chose a humble human form and shunned the world’s renown;
You died for us upon a cross with thorns Your only crown.
But still, beyond the span of years, our glad hosannas ring,
For now at God’s right hand You reign, a different kind of king.” 

The lyrics for this hymn were written by Delores Dufner in 2001. The words invite us to consider the contrast between many of the powerful of this world and Jesus – a different kind of king.  Jesus lived a life of service and selflessness to others, and, as followers of Jesus, we are asked to follow and do the same. The tune we will be using is KINGSFOLD, an English melody harmonized by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” (VU #541)

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures high and low;
Give thanks to God in love made known:
Creator, Word and Spirit, One.  Amen.”

The words for this traditional Doxology were written around 1674 by Thomas Ken, and updated for Voices United.   A Doxology is a short hymn of praise to God, which is often used as an offering response.  The music, OLD 100th, is from the Genevan Psalter (1551).

“O For a World” (VU #697)

“O for a world where everyone respects each other’s ways,
Where love is lived and all is done with justice and with praise.

O for a world where goods are shared and misery relieved,
Where truth is spoken, children spared, equality achieved.

We welcome one world family and struggle with each choice
That opens us to unity and gives our vision voice.

The poor are rich, the weak are strong, the foolish ones are wise.
Tell all who mourn: outcasts belong, who perishes will rise.

O for a world preparing for God’s glorious reign of peace,
Where time and tears will be no more, and all but love will cease.”

Miriam Therese Winter, a professor of liturgy and worship at Hartford Seminary in Connecticut, wrote this hymn for a Presbyterian Women’s Triennial Conference.  It was later re-crafted and recorded by the Medical Mission Sisters.  The tune AMZON is a German tune, more familiarly known as the tune for the hymn “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing.”

Hear the hymn sung in worship at Strathroy United Church:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vALZ-m7b8s

“Choral Amen” (VU #967)

“Amen, amen, amen.”

Our 3-fold choral amen is also referred to as the Danish Amen, although the composer is unknown.