Notes on the Notes – October 30, 2016

This week’s theme:

This week’s scripture readings:

Habakkuk 1:1-2; 2:1-4      Luke 19:1-10

This week’s music:

“Deep in Our Hearts” (MV #154)

“Deep in our hearts there is a common vision;
Deep in our hearts there is a common song;
Deep in our hearts there is a common story,
Telling Creation that we are one.

Deep in our hearts there is a common purpose;
Deep in our hearts there is a common goal;
Deep in our hearts there is a sacred message,
Justice and peace in harmony.

Deep in our hearts there is a common longing;
Deep in our hearts there is a common theme;
Deep in our hearts there is a common current,
Flowing to freedom like a stream.

Deep in our hearts there is a common vision;
Deep in our hearts there is a common song;
Deep in our hearts there is a common story,
Telling Creation that we are one.”

This song, with words by John Oldham and music by Ron Klusmeier, speaks to the human longing for the divine that is common across time and faith divisions.  It was written in 1996.

See the song, with Ron Klusmeier at the piano, below:

“Open Our Eyes”

“Open our eyes, Lord,
We want to see Jesus,
To reach out and touch Him,
And say that we love Him.
Open our ears, Lord,
And help us to listen.
Open our eyes, Lord,
We want to see Jesus.”

This simple praise chorus by Bob Cull (1976) effectively expresses our common yearning to see Jesus.  The words echo the feelings that Zaccheus may have had upon seeing Jesus and wanting to be near him, but feeling unworthy.

Hear the song at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV0S0gUPDls

“Like a Rock” (MV #92)

“Like a rock, like a rock, God is under our feet.
Like the starry night sky God is over our head.
Like the sun on the horizon God is ever before.
Like the river runs to ocean, our home is in God evermore.”

The words for this song are by Keri K. Wehlander (1998), adapted to music by Linnea Good (1998).  The words of the song portray our confidence that God is always with us and around us in every way.

“Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour” (VU #665)

“Pass me not, O gentle Saviour, hear my humble cry,
While on others thou art calling, do not pass me by.

Let me at thy throne of mercy find a sweet relief,
Kneeling there in deep contrition; help my unbelief.

Trusting only in thy merit, would I seek thy face,
Heal my wounded, broken spirit, save me by thy grace.

Thou the spring of all my comfort, more than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside thee?  Whom in heaven but thee?

Saviour, Saviour, hear my humble cry, while on others thou art calling, do not pass me by.”

Fanny Jane Crosby produced over 8,500 gospel hymns.  She lived during an age of evan­gel­is­tic sing­ing miss­ions, and her hymns were al­ways in re­quest.  She was in­vit­ed to speak at ma­ny places where these mis­sions were held. On one oc­ca­sion, it was at a state prison. Much was hoped for from this par­ti­cu­lar meet­ing. As Fan­ny was speak­ing—and her ve­ry blind­ness gave her pow­er—first one pris­on­er and then ano­ther would in­ter­rupt by call­ing on the good Lord not to pass me by. Fanny later said that she was so touched by the pleas of these men that she could not get the thought of them out of her mind; in­deed she said, I wrote the lines with the men’s plead­ing wail still in my ears.” (Source: Blanchard, Kath­leen. Stor­ies of Won­der­ful Hymns. Grand Ra­pids, Mi­chi­gan: Zon­der­van Pub­lish­ing House)

Hear the London Philharmonic Choir at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFkgAj2hEEc

“My Song to the Lord”

“O Lord, I am thankful each day that I live,
for all of the wonderful blessings You give.
In the love of my family, in the kindness of friends,
In this life I am leading, Your grace never ends.

O Lord, You sustain me with courage and hope,
by guiding my footsteps and helping me grow.
When I’m weary or troubled, when I’m filled with despair,
When I’m lonely or grieving, I know You are there.

So my grateful voice I will raise to proclaim Your grace and Your glory,
And my praises will ring in each song that I sing,
as I share Your truth and Your love.

O Lord, I will follow and serve You each day by using my talents and living in faith.
May Your light shine within me, may Your peace keep me strong,
May You help me in sharing Your Word and Your song.

Now my grateful voice I will raise to proclaim Your grace and Your glory,
And my praises will ring in each song that I sing,
as I share Your truth and Your love.
I will share Your truth and love.”

This week’s anthem was written by Nancy Price and Don Besig (2005). It opens with a litany of thanksgiving for all that God has given us and for walking with us on life’s journey. Once we have acknowledged God’s grace, the focus shifts to our response to God and closes with a commitment to service – living in God’s way and sharing God’s love.

“God is Here” (VU #389)

“God is here! As we your people meet to offer praise and prayer,
May we find in fuller measure what it is in Christ we share.
Here, as in the world around us, all our varied skills and arts
Wait the coming of the Spirit into open minds and hearts.

Here are symbols to remind us of our lifelong need of grace;
Here are table, font, and pulpit,
Here the cross has central place.
Here in honesty of preaching,
Here in silence, as in speech,
Here, in newness and renewal,
God the Spirit comes to each.

Here our children find a welcome in the Shepherd’s flock and fold;
Here as bread and wine are taken, Christ sustains us, as of old.
Here the servants of the Servant seek in worship to explore
What it means in daily living to believe and to adore.

God of all, of church and kingdom, in an age of change and doubt
Keep us faithful to the gospel; help us work your purpose out.
Here, in this day’s dedication, all we have to give, receive;
We, who cannot live without you, we adore you! We believe!”

Fred Pratt Green wrote the words for this hymn for the closing of an eight month church festival on worship, music and the arts at University Methodist Church in Austin, Texas in 1978.  The third verse celebrates the sacraments of baptism and communion and the commitment to serve God daily.  William Rowlands composed the tune BLAENWERN during the Welsh revival of 1904-05.  We leave our worship service, going out into the world with the affirmation “We believe!”

Hear the melody played on pipe organ at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0rAtG4vCpQ