Notes on the Notes – October 18, 2015

This week’s scripture readings:

Job 38: 1-7, 34-4

Mark 10: 35-45

This week’s music:

“Jesus, Teacher, Brave and Bold” (VU #605)

“Jesus, teacher, brave and bold,
Let us serve you, young and old.
Let us faith-filled workers be,
All around, you wisdom see.
Let us play and dance and sing,
Your goodness find in everything.

Jesus, friend, so strong and true,
Show us good, brave work to do.
Show us those who need a friend,
All things broken help us mend.
Free our minds and stretch our care,
Teach us to serve you everywhere.”

Walter Farquharson and Ron Klusmeier worked on this song at a hymn-writing workshop held at the Prairie Christian Training Centre in Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan, in 1972.  One of the earliest products of their collaboration, it was published as “Jesus, master, brave and bold” in Praise to the Lord (1973) and in a revised version as “Jesus, teacher, brave and bold” in Just Like Salt (1986) and Songs for a Gospel People (1987).

“I Sing the Mighty Power” (VU #231)

“I sing the mighty power of God that made the mountains rise;
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at God’s command and all the stars obey.

I sing the goodness of the One who filled the earth with food;
Who formed the creatures with a word, and then pronounced them good.
O God, your wonders are displayed where’er I turn my eye;
If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky!

There’s not a plant or flower below but makes your glories known;
And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from your throne;
While all that borrows life from you is ever in your care;
And everywhere that I may be, You, God, are present there.”

This hymn in praise of the Creator is from Divine Songs Attempted in Easy Language, for the Use of Children (1715), a collection of songs which Isaac Watts wrote for children, at the request of a friend.  Australian hymnologist Wesley Milgate comments, “Watts shows in this hymn a readiness rare in his time to credit children with intelligence and imagination, so that it is a fine hymn for adults also.”  The tune, HAYDN, has been attributed to Franz Joseph Haydn, but, despite its name, the association has never been proven.

“We are Pilgrims (The Servant Song)” (VU #595)

“We are pilgrims on a journey, fellow travellers on the road;
We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.

Sister, let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you;
Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too.

I will hold the Christ-light for you in the night-time of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping, when you laugh I’ll laugh with you;
I will share your joy and sorrow, till we’ve seen this journey through.

When we sing to God in heaven, we shall find such harmony,
Born of all we’ve known together of Christ’s love and agony.

Brother, let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you;
Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too.”

This hymn, written in 1974 by Richard Gillard, was first published in Songs of the Kingdom (1977).

Hear the hymn at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdmgpMfnjdU

“Speak, O Lord”

“Speak, O Lord, as we come to You,
To receive the food of Your holy Word.
Take Your Truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness;
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us all Your purposes for Your glory.

Teach us, Lord, full obedience, holy reverence, true humility.
Test our thoughts and our attitudes in the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise, cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of power that can never fail;
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.

Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds,
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us.
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time,
That will echo down through eternity;
And by grace we’ll stand on Your promises;
And by faith we’ll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, ’til Your church is built,
And the earth is filled with Your glory.”

This week’s anthem is by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty.  It has been arranged by Fred and Ruth Coleman and comes from the collection “In Christ Alone.”

Hear the original version at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my90e3a_nlM

“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 Harford Seminary in Connecticut, wrote this hymn for a Presbyterian Women’s Triennial Conference in 1987.  It was later recrafted and recorded by the Medical Mission Sisters.   The tune AZMON, is a German tune collected by Lowell Mason during his European tour in 1837.  It is also known as the tune for the hymn “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”  (VU #326).

Hear an organ arrangement at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUJazovyNaM

“Make Me a Servant”

“Make me a servant, humble and meek.
Lord, let me lift up those who are weak.
And may the prayer of my heart always be:
Make me a servant, make me a servant,
Make me a servant today.”