Notes on the Notes – August 3, 2025

This week’s music:

“For the Beauty of the Earth”  (VU #226)

“For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies,
for the love which from our birth over and around us lies,
God of all, to you we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of light,
God of all, to you we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. 

For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above, for all gentle thoughts and mild,
God of all, to you we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. 

For each perfect gift sublime to our race so freely given,
Grace human and divine, flowers of earth and buds of heaven,
God of all, to you we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.”

The words for this hymn of gratitude were written by Folliott Sandford Peirpoint in 1864.  We will be using the hymn tune DIX, familiar as the tune for the hymn “As With Gladness Men of Old” (VU #81) composed by Conrad Kocher (1838) and adapted by William H. Monk (1861).

Hear the hymn at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh4WlpxxUMo

“Trust These Words”  (TLUS #78)

“Trust these words: you are forgiven!
Through Christ’s mercy, broken hearts can be restored;
Trust these words: you are forgiven! 
Live in peace, beloved, know you are adored;
Trust these words, trust these words, trust these words.

Trust these words: we are forgiven!
Through God’s mercy broken lives can be restored;
Trust these words: we are forgiven1
Live in grace and peace, oh, love and serve the Lord;
Trust these words, trust these words, trust these words.
Trust these words.”

Our response to the Words of Assurance for the month of August was written by Lisa Waites (2021).

“Seek Ye First the Kingdom” (VU #356)

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and God’s righteousness,
And all these things shall be added unto you.
Hallelu, hallelujah.

Hallelujah, hallelujah,
Hallelujah, hallelu, hallelujah.

Ask and it shall be given unto you; seek and you shall find;
Knock and the door shall be opened unto you. 
Hallelu, hallelujah.

Hallelujah, hallelujah,
Hallelujah, hallelu, hallelujah.

We do not live by bread alone, but by every word
That proceeds from the mouth of God. 
Hallelu, hallelujah.

Hallelujah, hallelujah,
Hallelujah, hallelu, hallelujah.”

This gentle hymn was written by Karen Lafferty in 1972.  The words reference the gospel of Matthew.
Hear the hymn at:  https://youtu.be/MAqSD7XIkPc?list=RDMAqSD7XIkPc

“There’s Enough for All” (TLUS #60)

“There’s enough for all if we would learn to share it,
There’s enough for all, oh, help us to believe.
There’s enough for all.
Let’s bring our loaves and fishes, and offer them to Jesus. 
There’s more than enough for you and me.”

Our offering response for the month of August was written by Bryan Moyer Suderman (2024).

“Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ” (VU #468)

“Let us talents and tongues employ,
Reaching out with a shout of joy:
Bread is broken, the wine is poured,
Christ is spoken and seen and heard.

Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again, pass the Word around:
Loaves abound!

Christ is able to make us one,
At the table he sets the tone,
Teaching people to live to bless,
Love in word and in deed express.

Jesus calls us in, sends us out,
Bearing fruit in a world of doubt,
Gives us love to tell, bread to share:
God (Immanuel) everywhere!

Jesus lives again…”

This hymn is entitle “Communion Calypso” in Break No the Circle (1975), a collection of songs prepared by Fred Kaan and Doreen Potter.  The music is an arrangement of a Jamaican folk song.

See the hymn sung in worship at: https://youtu.be/nYnF86ZzHH8?list=RDnYnF86ZzHH8

“Waites Communion Set”
Sanctus and Benedictus (TLUS #19)
Holy, holy, holy, God of power and might;
           Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.
           Hosanna in the highest!
           Blessed is the One who comes in the name,
           Comes in the name of our God.
           Blessed is the One who comes in the name,
           Comes in the name of our God.
           Hosanna in the highest;
           Hosanna in the highest! 

Memorial Acclamation (TLUS #20)
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. 

Great Amen (TLUS #21)
Amen, amen, amen. 

Our sung communion responses were written by Lisa Waites in 2015.

“Sent Forth by God’s Blessing” (VU #481)

“Sent forth by God’s blessing, our true faith confessing,
The people of God from this dwelling take leave.
The supper is ended, O now be extended
The fruits of this service in all who believe.

The seed of Christ’s teaching, receptive souls reaching,
Shall blossom in action for God and for all.
God’s grace did invite us, God’s love shall unite us
To work for the kingdom and answer its call.

With praise and thanksgiving to God ever-living,
The tasks of our everyday life we will face.
Our faith ever sharing, in love ever caring,
Embracing God’s children of each tribe and race.

With your feast you feed us, with your light now lead us;
United us as one in this life that we share.
Then may all the living with praise and thanksgiving
Give honour to Christ and the name that we bear.”

The words for this post-communion hymn were written by Omer Westendorf, an organist, composer and music publisher in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Through the words we are reminded that worship is the “seed of Christ’s teaching” and that we are to go into the world, sharing God’s love with all.  This arrangement of “Llynn Onn,” a traditional Welsh folk tune, is by Leland Sateren, an American Lutheran organist and composer. We know the tune as THE ASH GROVE.

Hear the hymn at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTnBNtH2gMk

“May the Peace of Christ” (TLUS #104)

“May the peace of Christ be with you.
May the love of God dwell deep in your heart.
May the Spirit enlighten your way.
May you walk in the comfort of God’s care.” 

Our benediction response for the month of August was written by Izumi Shiota in Japanese.  The English paraphrase we will be using today is by Lori True.

Bonus Video:

“Bigger Barns” https://youtu.be/DmkDTh9Gs3Q?list=PLcKv8KzQKS1iSYAuZRuBmzJeEJHHQVrYD
Words by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2001). Based on the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21). Sung to hymn tune ABERYSTWYTH by Joseph Perry (1879). Recorded in worship at Windsor Park United Church (2025).

?? What does TLUS mean?  TLUS is short for “Then Let Us Sing,” the new worship resource published by the United Church of Canada.  This resource adds new music for the 21st century.  At WPUC, we will be using it in addition to “Voices United” and “More Voices.”