Notes on the Notes – October 24, 2021

This Week’s Music:

“Praise to the Lord” (VU #835)

“Praise to the Lord, all of you, God’s servants,
Blessed be the name of our God now and ever.
From the rising up of the sun may the Lord be praised,
Praise to the name of the Lord.

There is none like our God in the heavens or on earth,
Who lifts the poor from the dust, seating them with the mighty,
Who stoops to raise the weak and low:
May the Lord be praised, praise to the name of the Lord.”

This paraphrase of Psalm 113 is the title piece of a collection of twelve hymns by Walter Farquharson, Fred Kaan, Ron Klusmeier and David L. Ritchie, set to music by Ron Klusmeier.   It was written in 1972.   The song also appears in the United Church hymn book supplement, Songs for a Gospel People.

“Amazing Grace” (VU #266)

Amazing grace!  how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed! 

Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come;
‘Tis grace that brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.  

“Amazing Grace” was written by the English poet and clergyman John Newton (1725-1807), published in 1779.  Containing a message that forgiveness and redemption are possible regardless of sins committed and that the soul can be delivered from despair through the mercy of God, “Amazing Grace” is one of the most recognizable songs in the English-speaking world.

Newton wrote the words from personal experience. He grew up without any particular religious conviction, but his life’s path was formed by a variety of twists and coincidences that were often put into motion by his recalcitrant insubordination. He was pressed (forced into service involuntarily) into the  Royal Navy, and after leaving the service became involved in the Atlantic slave trade. In 1748, a violent storm battered his vessel so severely that he called out to God for mercy, a moment that marked his spiritual conversion.  However, he continued his slave trading career until 1754 or 1755, when he ended his seafaring altogether and began studying Christian theology.

Ordained in the Church of England in 1764, Newton began to write hymns with poet William Cowper. “Amazing Grace” was written to illustrate a sermon on New Year’s Day of 1773. It is unknown if there was any music accompanying the verses; it may have simply been chanted by the congregation. It debuted in print in 1779 in Newton and Cowper’s Olney Hymns, but settled into relative obscurity in England. In the United States however, “Amazing Grace” was used extensively during the Second Great Awakening in the early 19th century. It has been associated with more than 20 melodies, but in 1835 it was joined to a tune named “New Britain” to which it is most frequently sung today.

“Amazing Grace” is “without a doubt the most famous of all the folk hymns,” and it is estimated that it is sung 10 million times a year.  This week we will be using the first three verses of the hymn.

See 7-yr old Rhema Marvanne sing the hymn at:  https://youtu.be/DDDlxmsciqY

See Il Divo in concert at:  https://youtu.be/GYMLMj-SibU

“Healer of My Heart” 

“God of light, take away the dark of night.
Fill me with Your pure delight, touch me with Your hand.
God of grace, flow into this holy place.
Listen as Your children pray,
Take me as I am.

Healer of my heart,
Lover of my soul,
Maker of the stars, the earth, the sky,
Come and make me whole.
Savior of this world,
My voice praises You alone,
Healer of my heart,
Lover of my soul.”

This week’s anthem is composed by Robert White Johnson.

“I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” (VU #626)

“I heard the voice of Jesus say, ‘Come unto me and rest;
Lay down, O weary one, lay down your head upon my breast.’
I came to Jesus as I was, weary and worn and sad;
I found in him a resting place, and he has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, ‘Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one, stoop down, and drink, and live.’
I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life-giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, ‘I am this dark world’s light;
Look unto me, your morn shall rise, and all your day be bright.’
I looked to Jesus, and I found in him my star, my sun;
And in that light of life I’ll walk till travelling days are done.”

Horatius Bonar wrote this hymn for his congregation at Kelso in the border district of Scotland, and gave it the title “The Voice from Galilee.”   Through the 3 verses, Bonar shares the invitation to come to Jesus for sanctuary, renewal and direction.  The tune is a traditional folk melody from England and Ireland.  It was arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams for the English Hymnal (1906).  The tune is named KINGSFOLD after the village in Surrey where Vaughan Williams collected the folk song.

Flute and harp instrumental http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34hdxri8qbk

Singer Joanna Hogg – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH4OVm8nzXk

Pipe Organ – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eed_d6cfOGI