Notes on the Notes – October 10, 2021

Thanksgiving

This week’s music: 

“We Praise You, O God” (VU #218)

The title for our hymn book, Voices United,  comes from the third stanza of this hymn.  The words were written by Julia Cory in 1902 at the request of the organist, for a Thanksgiving service at Brick Presbyterian Church in New York.  The words of the second verse remind us of the timelessness of God, and that God is with us even in the difficult times.  The melody, KREMSER, was arranged by the Viennese conductor Eduard Kremser from a tune published with the earlier text in a 17th-century collection of Dutch folk songs.

“We praise you, O God, our Redeemer, Creator;
In grateful devotion our tribute we bring.
We lay it before you; we kneel and adore you;
We bless your holy name, glad praises we sing.

We worship you, God of our mothers and fathers,
Through trial and tempest, companion and guide.
When perils o’ertake us, you will not forsake us,
But faithful to your promise, you walk by our side.

With voices united our praises we offer
And gladly our songs of thanksgiving we raise.
Our sins now confessing, we pray for your blessing,
To you, our great Redeemer, forever be praise!”

Hear the hymn played on organ at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPlPtJ0iZW8

“A New Creed”

“We are not alone,
We live in God’s world,
We believe in God,
Who has created and is creating,
Who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh,
To reconcile and make new,
Who works in us and others by the Spirit.
We trust in God.

We are called to be the Church,
To celebrate God’s presence,
To live with respect in Creation,
To love and serve others,
To seek justice and resist evil,
To proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
Our judge and our hope.

In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.”

This setting of the New Creed was composed by Richard Hall.  The creed is a statement of the beliefs of the United Church of Canada. Learn more about history of the New Creed at:  http://www.windsorparkunitedchurch.com/a-new-creed/

“Grateful” (MV #182)

“Grateful for the life you give us, thankful for your Holy Son,
Joyful in your Spirit flowing over all, O God of Love.
Grateful for the Bread of Heaven, thankful for your Holy Word,
Joyful in your mercy flowing, we will praise you.

You are more than we imagine, Ancient, Holy, Living Lord.
Even when we doubt your presence you are faithful to your Word.

May our lives proclaim your justice, may our voices sing your praise.
May our hands work in your service to the glory of your name.”

This song of thankfulness is by Tom Tomaszek (2003), author, composer, educator and liturgical musician.  The first verse gives thanks for God’s faithfulness, while the second verse is a call to go into the world in God’s name.

“As Those of Old Their First-fruits Brought” (VU #518)

We close our worship today with this Thanksgiving hymn, from Ten New Stewardship Hymns (1961) by Frank von Christierson.  The tune, FOREST GREEN, is a traditional English fold tune arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams for the English Hymnal (1906).

“As those of old their first-fruits brought of vineyard, flock, and field
To God, the giver of all good, the source of bounteous yield;
So we today our first-fruits bring:  the wealth of this good land,
Of farm and market, shop and home, of mind and heart and hand.

A world in need now summons us to labour, love, and give,
To make our life an offering to God, that all may live.
The church of Christ is calling us to make the dream come true:
A world redeemed, by Christ-like love, all life in Christ made new.

With gratitude and humble trust we bring our best to you,
Not just to serve your cause, but share your love with neighbours too.
O God, who gave yourself to us in Jesus Christ, your son,
Help us to give ourselves each day until life’s work is done.”

Hear the song on organ at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVccvOzP9N4