Notes on the Notes – October 13, 2024

Thanksgiving Sunday
Sixth Sunday in the Season of Creation

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

“O Beautiful Gaia” (MV #41)

“O beautiful Gaia,
O Gaia, calling us home.
O beautiful Gaia,
Calling us on.”

The term Gaia (guy-ah) represents “Mother Earth,” inviting us to live into our care and respect for all creation. It asks us to consider our relationship to the earth in the context of our faith.  As we come to the last week in the Season of Creation, we again use the chorus as our response to the Words of Assurance.  The words and music are by Carolyn McDade and the arrangement is by Lydia Pedersen (2006).

“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.

“I Will Give Thanks”

“I will give thanks to the Lord, my God.
I will give thanks to the Lord.
I will sing praise to the Lord Most High.
With my whole heart I will give thanks.

In the seasons of my plenty, in the seasons of my need
God has faithfully provided growing harvest from the seed.

I will give thanks to the Lord, my God.
I will give thanks to the Lord.
I will sing praise to the Lord Most High.
With my whole heart I will give thanks.

With my whole heart I will love him. With my lips I’ll sing his praise.
With my life I’ll seek his guidance as I serve him all my days.

I will give thanks to the Lord, my God.
I will give thanks to the Lord.
I will sing praise to the Lord Most High.
With my whole heart I will give thanks.
With my whole heart I will give thanks.”

This week’s anthem was written by Lloyd Larson and is based on Psalm 7:17.

“For the Gift of Creation” (VU #538)

“For the gift of creation, the gift of your love,
            and the gift of the Spirit by which we live,
            We thank you and give you the fruit of our hands.
            May your grace be proclaimed by the gifts that we give.”

Our offering dedication is from the United Methodist Book of Worship (1991) and is especially appropriate during the season of Creation.  The composer, Steve Garnaas-Holmes is a United Methodist pastor in Montana.

“For the Fruit of All Creation” (VU #227)

“For the fruit of all creation, thanks be to God.
For the gifts to every nation, thanks be to God.
For the ploughing, sowing, reaping,
Silent growth while we are sleeping;
Future needs in earth’s safekeeping, thanks be to God.

In the just reward of labour, God’s will is done.
In the help we give our neighbour, God’s will is done.
In our world-wide task of caring for the hungry and despairing,
In the harvests we are sharing, God’s will is done.

For the harvests of the Spirit, thanks be to God.
For the good we all inherit, thanks be to God.
For the wonders that astound us, for the truths that still confound us,
Most of all that love has found us, thanks be to God.”

This hymn sends us out in praise and thanksgiving for God’s goodness.  The words were written by Fred Pratt Green in 1970 and remind us that as God gives to us, we are commissioned to care for each other.  The words have been set to the traditional Welsh song “Ar Hyd Y Nos (All Through the Night), which was arranged as a hymn tune by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1906.

Hear a beautiful orchestral arrangement of the tune at:  https://youtu.be/d2zgTwdU4E8

“When You Walk from Here” (VU #298)

“When you walk from here,
When you walk from here,
Walk with justice, walk with mercy,
And with God’s humble care.”

Our benediction response was written by Linnea Good of Vancouver.  It was published in Stickpeople (1993). The text is derived from Micah 6:8 and reminds us to walk with God as we head into a new week.

Hear the song at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvd2PUoEj9g