Notes on the Notes – October 11, 2015

This week’s theme:

Thanksgiving Sunday/Praise Team Contemporary Service

This week’s scripture readings:

Hebrews 4:12-16, Mark 10:17-31

This week’s music:

“This is the Day” (MV #122)

“This is the day that God has made;
We will rejoice and be glad!
This is the day that God has made;
We will rejoice and be glad!
Singing hallelu! Singing hallelu! Singing hallelu!
We will rejoice and be glad!
Singing hallelu! Singing hallelu! Singing hallelu!
We will rejoice and be glad!

Voici le jour que Dieu a fait;
Nous le vivrons dans la joie.
Chantant Allelu! Nous le vivrons dans la joie!”

This hymn by Bruce Harding (2003) is inspired by the words of Psalm 118:24.   Harding wrote both the text and music, which was translated to French by David Fines in 2005.  To hear the song go to:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88a-8OXGYk4

“We Come to Say Thank You”

“Thank You, O Lord, we come to say, “Thank You.”
For all You’ve done we say, “Thank You,
Thank You today for all the blessings You send our way.”    

For the beauty of the earth,
For the glories of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies.

For the wonder of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale and tree and flower,
Sun and moon and stars of light,
Stars of heavenly light.

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild.

For Thyself, best gift divine,
To our race so freely giv’n,
For the great, great love of Thine,
Peace on earth and joy in heav’n,
Endless joy in heav’n!

We thank You, Lord!”

The Joyful Noise and the Praise Singers will join together to offer this week’s anthem of thanksgiving by Pepper Choplin (2015).  Using a new melody, Choplin incorporates the words from the hymn “For the Beauty of the Earth,” by Folliott S. Pierpoint (1864).

“Bless the Lord” (MV #46)

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, bless God’s holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, bless God’s holy name.

Remember the kindness of our God, who showers us with blessing all our days.

Remember the justice of our God, who stands with those forgotten and confused.

Remember the healing love of God, who calls us to be whole and to be free.”

This song, based on Psalm 103, was “accidentally” written by a youth group praise band in 1994.  To read the full story, go to http://www.spiritandsong.com/articles/14195.

To hear the song go to, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1iMlNH8VG4

“Hear Our Praises” 

“May our homes be filled with dancing, may our streets be filled with joy
May injustice bow to Jesus as the people turn to pray

From the mountains to the valleys
Hear our praises rise to You
From the heavens to the nations
Hear our singing fill the air

May Your light shine in the darkness as we walk before the cross
May Your glory fill the whole earth as the water o’er the seas

From the mountains to the valleys
Hear our praises rise to You
From the heavens to the nations
Hear our singing fill the air”

Reuben Morgan is Worship Pastor at Hillsong Church London and a prolific songwriter. He has written many of the church’s best loved songs, from Mighty To Save to Forever Reign.   As worship leader Reuben tours extensively every year with Hillsong… He lives in London with his wife, Sarah, and three children.

Hear the song at:  https://youtu.be/c94kMA5IgKo

“With All of My Heart”

“With all of my heart, I will praise You, Lord, with all of my heart.

I will give my love to You; You’re the One who first loved me.
With ev’ry moment of my life, and with ev’ry breath I breathe;

I will sing my song to You; You’re the reason for each rhyme.
Your Spirit’s captured all of me, strength and soul and mind.”

This week’s offering response was written by Bill Batsone and Morris Chapman.

Hear Morris Chapman and the Maranatha Singers at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQgaiAD-xL0

“Do We Dare”

This hymn was written for the 42nd General Council of the United Church of Canada, held in Corner Brook, Newfoundland in 2015.  In the verses, Wanda Stride challenges us to question the choices we make as our faith/church changes and adapts and as we strive to be God’s faithful people.  She connects us to the biblical story and the risks that faithful people have always had to make by referring to the stories of Creation, Moses, Abraham, and Jesus’ life and ministry.  The chorus is the affirmation of our choice as we face the future –  “Yes, me and my house, we dare to serve the Lord!”

“Do we dare eat the produce of the hills?
Do we dare touch the gifts of the earth?
Do we dare dip our feet in the oil?
Do we dare try God’s new thing?
Do we dare?

Do we dare see the spring inside the rock?
Do we dare count the stars overhead?
Do we dare cross the river into promise?
Do we dare try God’s new thing?
Do we dare?

Do we dare let the grain die in winter?
Do we dare feel the sun once again?
Do we dare spread the seed in a new place?
Do we dare try God’s new thing?
Do we dare?

As for me and my house we serve the Lord!
Let the soles of our feet touch the rivers we ford.
Baptism blessings for our new beginnings,
Yes, me and my house, we dare to serve the Lord!”

“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.  His ministry began with teaching English at a public high school while serving as a parish musician and catechist. Those experiences led to 14 years of service to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s youth ministry office.  Later, Tom served as the director of the Artists and Repertoire at OCP. He holds a master’s in theological studies from St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee, and a master’s in education from the University of Wisconsin.