Notes on the Notes – April 28, 2013

Theme:  Love – the Way of Welcome and Acceptance / Patrick’s covenanting service

Today’s readings:

Acts 11:1-18, Psalm 148, John 13:31-35

Today’s music:

“Draw the Circle Wide” (MV #145) – This song is by Gordon Light (1994) of the Common Cup Company.  Draw the Circle Wide invites us to participate with God in creating a spacious, inclusive community.

On the flat prairie, the horizon is always at eye level. God sees from a higher place than we see, so God sees boundlessly. This song is a joyful call to abandon the limits our woundedness and fear impose on our sight, and an invitation to see us from God’s perspective…(source: CommonCup.com)

“Don’t Be Afraid” (MV #90) –This response is by John L. Bell and Graham Maule (1995) of the Iona Community in Scotland.  Learn more about the healing justice of the Iona community at their website:  www.iona.org.uk/

John Bell, (born 1949, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire) is a hymn-writer, Church of Scotland minister, member of the Iona Community, broadcaster, and former student activist. He works throughout the world, often lecturing in theological colleges in the UK, Canada and the United States, but is primarily concerned with the renewal of congregational worship at the grass roots level.  Bell has produced (sometimes in collaboration with Graham Maule) many collections of original hymns and songs and two collections of songs of the World Church.  Several collections of his work have been published in translation in Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Danish, Dutch, Frisian, Japanese and German.   (source:www.wikipedia.org)

“It’s a Song of Praise to the Maker” (MV #30) – 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

“I Will Serve the Lord All My Days” –  Today’s anthem, by Don Besig and Nancy Price,  focuses on our dedication and service to God, who is a faithful presence by our side.    The opening words are:

“Each day I live, I will walk with the Lord;

I will follow Him wherever He may lead.

He will take my hand, He will understand;

His grace is all that I need….Alleluia….”

It was written in 2000 in honor of Miss Frances M. Shope for 24 years of dedicated service as Director of Music, First United Methodist Church, Clarion, PA.  The anthem was dedicated (2001) in memory of Muriel Weldon,  long-time member of Windsor Park United Church.  This morning we welcome additional “special occasion singers” who will be joining the Worship Choir for this anthem.

“I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me” (VU #575) – A lively African-American spiritual of committment and dedication from the Presbyterian Hymnal (1990). 

“Will You Come and Follow Me”  (VU #567) – This song, entitled “The Summons,” is from Heaven Shall Not Wait, Volume 1 of Wild Goose Songs (1987), from the Iona Community (see above).   KELINGROVE is a traditional Scottish fold melody.