Notes on the Notes – November 8, 2015

This week’s theme:  Remembrance/Peace

This week’s scripture:

Hebrews 9:24-28,  Mark 12:38-44

This week’s music:

“When Quiet Peace is Shattered” (VU #615)

“When quiet peace is shattered by dreadful noise of war,
And we are bruised and battered by fighting’s constant roar;
Lord, break the silence of your word and let your healing voice be heard.
O let your healing voice be heard.

When troubles still our love-song, and fear beats hard within,
When anger drowns the dove’s song, and life’s a noisy din,
Lord, break the silence of your word and let your healing voice be heard.
O let your healing voice be heard.

When clashing wills divide us, and hearts refuse to mend,
When feelings scream inside us, and agonies won’t end,
Lord, break the silence of your word and let your healing voice be heard.
O let your healing voice be heard.”

The text for this hymn is by Mary Nelson Keithahn and the music is by her colleague, John Horman.  They are both from South Dakota.  The hymn is a plea for God, in times of conflict,  to “break the silence of your word and let your healing voice be heard.”

“Peace for the Children” (MV #149)

“Peace for the children, peace, peace.
Peace for the children we pray.
Following the path of One of peace,
We work for healing, we work for peace;
Peace for the children today.

Peace for the women…
Peace for the men…
Peace for the nations…
Peace for our planet…”

The words and music for this song are by Doreen Lankshear Smith (1993).  It was arranged by David Abramsky in 1998.  Doreen is currently the minister at Knox Pruden United Church in Thunder Bay.  

“Put Peace Into Each Other’s Hands” (MV 173)

“Put peace into each other’s hands and like a treasure hold it,
Protect it like a candle flame, with tenderness enfold it.

Put peace into each other’s hands with loving expectation;
Be gentle in your words and ways, in touch with God’s creation.

Reach out in friendship, stay with faith in touch with those around you.
Put peace into each other’s hands; the Peace that sought and found you.”

This hymn with words by Fred Kaan and lyrics by Ron Klusmeier was first published in 2004.  The original title was “Hands Shaped Like a Cradle.”  The hymn is often used for interfaith worship or communion.  This week we will be using the first, second and fifth verses.  Learn more about Fred’s life and work at http://www.hymnary.org/person/Kaan_Fred

See the hymn sung in worship at: https://youtu.be/HRJXEJDygbA

“Sing for Peace”

“Everything that has voice, sing for peace, speak for peace,
Given chance, given choice, work for peace, write for peace,
Resonating everywhere, echoing our common care;
Everything that has voice, sing for peace!

All the world longs for peace, cries for peace, dies for peace;
Let the children, every place sleep in peace, grow in peace,
Home and country safe to be where the Spirit rises free;
All the world longs for peace, cries for peace.

Everyone who has breath, you and I, passersby,
Every tenant of the earth, plant for peace, gather peace,
Cultivate a neighbourhood cherishing our neighbour’s good;
Everyone who has breath, live in peace.
Everyone who has breath, live in peace.”

The beautiful text for “Sing for Peace” was created by Shirley Erena Murray, a hymn text writer from New Zealand, known for her strong and compassionate words for peace-making and issues of social justice. The text was written in 2003 and set to music by Marty Haugen in 2014.

“Let There Be Light” (VU #679)

Robert and Margaret Fleming encouraged members of St. George’s Anglican Church in St. Anne-de-Bellvue to write new hymns for use in worship at the church.  Frances Wheeler Davis, a poet and choir member, responded to that invitation with “Let There be Light.”  It was first published in 1968 in a private church publication where it was set to CONCORD, a tune newly composed for it by the Canadian composer, Robert Fleming.  This week we will be using verses 1, 3 and 6 as our benediction response.

“Let there be light, let there be understanding,
Let all the nations gather, let them be face to face;

Open our lips, open our minds to ponder,
Open the door of concord, opening into grace;

Perish the sword, perish the angry judgement,
Perish the bombs and hunger, perish the fight for gain;

Hallow our love, hallow the deaths of martyrs;
Hallow their holy freedom, hallowed be your name;

Your kingdom come, your spirit turn to language,
Your people speak together, your spirit never fade;

Let there be light, open our hearts to wonder,
Perish the way of terror, hallow the world God made.”