Notes on the Notes – September 29, 2019

Season of Creation

Sunday after Week of Global Climate  Action

Sunday before Orange Shirt Day

This week’s scripture readings:

Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15        1 Timothy 6:6-19

This week’s music:

This week you are asked to read through and prayerfully consider the lyrics of the songs.  On Sunday, join the Praise Team as we look at our role as faithful people in God’s Creation.

“All One People”

“We are all one people, we all come from one creation way on high.
We are all one nation under one great sky – you and I.
We are all one people.
We are all one colour in her eye.

Hey ya, hey ya, hey ya, hey ya.

We are all one people, we all come from one creation way on high.
We are all one nation under one great sky – you and I.
We are all one people.
We are all one colour if we try.”

Joseph Naytowhow and Cheryl L’Hirondelle (2000)

“A Voice is Heard”

“Come, let us praise our God, come let us sing for joy,
With a heart of thanks we give honour.
You are a mighty God, you are the source of life.
Creator God, we give praise.

From the deepest seas (a voice is heard).
From the highest hills (a voice is heard).
From the rich dark earth (a voice is heard).
All creation sings! God is heard.

Through the darkest night (a voice is heard).
Through the breaking dawn (a voice is heard).
Through the heart of life (a voice is heard).
All creation sings! God is heard.”

Trisha Watts and Monica O’Brien (1998)

“Who’s Taking Care Of Your World?”

“Who’s taking care of your world, God?
Who’s taking care of your world, God?
There’s litter, pollution, we don’t seem to care.
Who’s taking care of your world?

Help me take care of your world, God…
I’ll pick up the litter, I’ll clean up a stream.
I can take care of your world.

Who’s taking care of your world, God?…
We use up resources that can’t be replaced.
Who’s taking care of your world?

Who’s taking care of your world, God?…
The animals, plants and the birds disappear.
Who’s taking care of your world?

Help us take care of your world, God.
Help us take care of your world, God.
We’ll protect nature, we’ll leave it in place.
We can take care of your world.”

Mary Shields (1993)

“Remember”

“Remember when our earth was green and gently fell the rain,
When rivers sang their sweetest songs, renewing earth again?

Remember when the forests walked on mountain and on plain,
And shared with us their living breath, our planet to sustain?

Remember when we closed our minds and watched earth slowly die,
When science talked of climate change and we the truth denied?

Today we have a chance to change our act of heart and mind,
A chance to live in harmony, with earth and humankind.

Today we offer open hands and cradle earth with care;
We choose to live sustainably, abundant life to share.

To share a plentitude of grace with those who live on less,
To walk in wisdom in this world, and tread with gentleness.”

Helen Wiltshire.

“How Great Thou Art” (VU #238)

“O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the works Thy hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul…

Carl Boberg (1886)

“One Voice”

“This is the sound of one voice
One spirit, one voice
The sound of one who makes a choice
This is the sound of one voice

This is the sound of voices two
The sound of me singing with you
Helping each other to make it through
This is the sound of voices two

This is the sound of voices three
Singing together in harmony
Surrendering to the mystery
This is the sound of voices three

This is the sound of all of us
Singing with love and the will to trust
Leave the rest behind it will turn to dust
This is the sound of all of us

This is the sound of one voice
One people, one voice
A song for every one of us
This is the sound of one voice
This is the sound of one voice”

Ruth Moody (2004)

“May We Rise”

“May we rise with all Creation as the Spirit gives us strength.
May we heed the inner wisdom that God’s loving knows no length.
May we be a faith filled people, living out compassion’s way.
May we find the heartfelt courage to embrace the dawning day.

May we walk to meet the shadows of our woundedness and grief.
May we trust the Holy Spirit to bring healing and relief.
May we live with Love and justice, bring Your messages of Peace.
May we know the guiding power of Your gift of Grace released.

May we reach beyond the boundaries of the walls that do divide.
May we feel the gift of Presence in Life’s circle with no sides.
May we listen for Your calling, hearts be open to Your Way.
May we live as one in Christ. As one people, God we pray.

May we rise.
Let the songs of Love be sung.
May we rise.
Sisters, brothers, we are one, we are one.”

John Wesley Oldham and Pat Mayberry (2012)

“Go, Make a Difference” (MV #209)

“Go make a difference.
We can make a difference.
Go make a difference in the world.

We are the salt of the earth, called to let the people see
the love of God for you and me.
We are the light of the world,not to be hidden but be seen.
Go make a difference in the world.

We are the hands of Christ reaching out to those in need,
the face of God for all to see.
We are the spirit of hope;  we are the voice of peace.
Go make a difference in the world.

So let your love shine on, let it shine for all to see.
Go make a difference in the world.
And the spirit of Christ will be with us as we go.
Go make a difference in the world.”

Steve Angrisano and Tom Tomaszek (1997)