Notes on the Notes – September 28, 2014
This week’s theme: Oh, to be human
This week’s scripture readings: Exodus 17: 1-7, Philippians 2: 1-13
This week’s music:
“It’s a Song of Praise to the Maker” (More Voices #30)
“It’s a song of praise to the Maker, the thrush sings high in the tree.
It’s a song of praise to the Maker, the gray whale sings in the sea,
And by the Spirit you and I can join our voice to the holy cry
And sing, sing, sing to the Maker too.
It’s a call of life to the Giver when waves and waterfalls roar.
It’s a call of life to the Giver when high tides break on the shore,
And by the Spirit…
It’s a hymn of love to the Lover; the bumblebees hum along.
It’s a hymn of love to the Lover, the summer breeze joins the song,
And by the Spirit…
It’s the chorus of all creation; it’s sung by all living things.
It’s the chorus of all creation; a song the universe sings,
And by the spirit…”
Ruth Duck and Ron Klusmeier collaborated on this song, which is based on Psalm 148. Ruth uses the Psalm as inspiration for this hymn, which encourages us to join with all creation to “sing, sing, sing to the Maker too.” It is a psalm which resounds with praise to the Lord God Almighty – the Creator of Heaven and the Earth. As the work of His hands, it is only right and proper that all of heaven and earth praise the Lord.
Enjoy Ron Klusmeier playing this song in at Carman United in Chilliwack during his “Tour of a Lifetime” at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh6iYBZjr4A
“We Gather Here to Worship”
“We gather here to worship you, O God. We gather here to give you thanks and praise. You call us from our scattered lives to unify what we divide. You crown with grace, you crown with grace our humble deeds and days. We gather here to worship you, O God.
We gather here to feed upon your Word. We gather here to learn your way of life. With blessed wisdom from above You fill our fragile hearts with love. You guide our path, you guide our path through struggle and through strife. We gather here to feed upon your Word.
We gather here to worship you, O God. We gather here to worship and adore the Source of all in time and space, the Son who joins the human race, the Spirit with them both forevermore, forevermore. We gather here to worship you, O God.”
This modern worship song was written by Michael Joncas and Vicki Klima in 2007. It was recorded for Joncas’ album “O God of Past and Present” (2011). Michael Joncas is a liturgical composer, author, speaker, and professor who is perhaps best known for his song “On Eagle’s Wings.” He is currently an associate professor in the Department of Theology at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota.
“My Soul is Thirsting for You” (MV #109)
“My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord,
Thirsting for you, my God.
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord,
Thirsting for you, my God,
Thirsting for you, my God.
O God you are my God, and I will always praise you.
In the shadow of your wings I cling to you and you hold me high.
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord,…
Through the day you walk with me, all the night your love surrounds me.
To the glory of your name I lift my hands, I sing your praise.
My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord,…”
The words and music for this song were written by Steve Angrisano in 1997. It is based on Psalm 63. Hear Steve singing the song at My Soul is Thirsting for You. Steve Angrisano is also the composer of the popular hymn “Go Make a Difference.”
“Great is Thy Faithfulness” (VU #288)
“Great is thy faithfulness, God our Creator; There is no shadow of turning with thee;
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not; As thou hast been thou forever wilt be.
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning my morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed thy hand hath provided. Great is thy faithfulness, ever to me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness to thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
Great is thy faithfulness!…
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow –wondrous the portion thy blessings provide.
Great is thy faithfulness!…
Thomas O. Chisholm, a Methodist minister, wrote the poem in 1923 about God’s faithfulness over his lifetime. William Runyan set the poem to music, and it was published that same year and became popular among church groups. The song was exposed to wide audiences after becoming popular with Dr. William Henry Houghton of the Moody Bible Institute and Billy Graham who played the song frequently on his international crusades. The version in Voices United is from the Hymnal of the Evangelical United Brethren (1957).
Listen to Chris Rice singing this hymn at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k1WhFtVp0o
“Moses Smote the Rock”
“Out in the wilderness the Israelites complained, ‘We are getting thirsty, our strength is being drained. Why did you bring us here with our sons and daughters out in this desert, without any water?’ God spoke to Moses, ‘Bring your flock, come to Mount Horeb, and meet me at the rock.’
God said to Moses, ‘Take the rod I gave to you. You used it on the Nile and I brought you through. Now go to that stone and hit it with your rod, that all may know that I am your God!’ Moses called the people, he called his flock, and when he hit the stone they got water from the rock.
Wandering in the wilderness, we needn’t be dismayed, for He is still our God, who will give us aid. And when we find ourselves in a rocky place we can look to the Lord for His saving grace. We are His children, we are His flock, and He pours out blessing light water from a rock.”
Today’s anthem was written by Arlene Ydstie in 1984. It is based on a retelling of the story from Exodus 17:1-6.
“Companions on the Journey”
“We are companions on the journey, breaking bread and sharing life;
and in the love we bear is the hope we share for we believe in the love of our God,
we believe in the love of our God.
No longer strangers to each other; No longer strangers in God’s house;
We are fed and we are nourished by the strength of those who care, by the strength of those who care.
We are companions on the journey…
We have been gifted with each other, and we are called by the Word of the Lord;
To act with justice, to love tenderly, And to walk humbly with our God, to walk humbly with our God.
We are companions on the journey…
We will seek and we shall find; We will knock and the door will be opened;
We will ask and it shall be given, For we believe in the love of our God, we believe in the love of our God.
We are companions on the journey…
We are made for the glory of our God, For service in the name of Jesus;
To walk side by side with hope in our hearts, For we believe in the love of our God, we believe in the love of our God.
We are companions on the journey…”
This hymn was written by Carey Landry in 1985. The words are based on Micah 6:8 and Matthew 7:7. Carey Landry (born 1944) is an American composer of Catholic liturgical music. He and his wife Carol Jean Kinghorn have released several albums and collections of music. He has a master’s degree in theology and lives in Indianpolis, Indiana.
