Notes on the Notes – September 14, 2025

Creation 2

This week’s music:

“Help Us Accept Each Other” (SFGP #8)

“Help us accept each other as Christ accepted us;
Teach us as sister, brother, each person to embrace.
Be present, God, among us and bring us to believe
we are ourselves accepted and meant to love and live.

Teach us, O God, your lessons, as in our daily life
we struggle to be human and search for hope and faith.
Teach us to care for people, for all – not just for some,
to love them as we find them or as they may become.

Let your acceptance change us, so that we may be moved
in living situations to do the truth in love;
to practice your acceptance until we know by heart
the table of forgiveness and laughter’s healing art.

Lord, for today’s encounters with all who are in need,
who hunger for acceptance, for righteousness and bread,
we need new eyes for seeing, new hands for holding on:
renew us with your Spirit; come, free us, make us one!”

The text for our opening hymn was written by Fred Kaan in 1974 and appears in the hymn book supplement Songs for a Gospel People.  This week we will be singing it with music by Jim Strathdee.

“Spirit of the Living God” (VU #376, SFGP #91)

“Spirit of the living God,  move among us all.
Make us one in heart and mind, make us one in love:
Humble, caring, selfless, sharing.
Spirit of the living God, fill our lives with love!”

Our sung response to the Words of Assurance is the second verse of the hymn “Spirit of the Living God.”  The words were written by Michael Baughen in 1982 as an additional verse to the words written by David Iverson in 1926. The arrangement in Voices United is the one written by Darryl Nixon for Songs for a Gospel People (1987), the first United Church hymn book where the hymn appeared.

“Love is the Touch”  (MV #89/Tune VU #624)

“Love is the touch of intangible joy;
Love is the force that no fear can destroy;
Love is the goodness we gladly applaud;
God is where love is, for love is of God.

Love is the lit in a lingering voice;
Love is the hope that can make us rejoice;
Love is the cure for the frightened and flawed;
God is where love is, for love is of God.

Love is the light in the tunnel of pain;
Love is the will to be whole once again;
Love is the trust of a friend on the road;
God is where love is, for love is of God.

Love is the Maker and Spirit and Son;
Love is the kingdom their will has begun;
Love is the path which the saints all have trod;
God is where love is, for love is of God.”

This hymn quotes 1 John 4:7 which says, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”  The words were written by Alison M. Robertson (1998). We will be using the tune, OLDHAM, which we know as the tune from the hymn “Give to Us Laughter,” written by Ron Klusmeier in 1974.

“Love Over Hate” (TLUS #139)

“Love over hate, our sacred song.
Sing in our hearts our voices strong.
All of the earth, each place, faith,
each one belongs. 

You of my heart, You of my soul.
You are the Love that makes us whole.
You of my heart, You of my soul,
You are the Love that makes us whole.

Love over fear, our common dream.
Justice that flows, a mighty stream.
Kindness and mercy calling, 
for you and for me. 

You of my heart, You of my soul.
You are the Love that makes us whole.
You of my heart, You of my soul,
You are the Love that makes us whole.

Love over lies, our promise true.
Healing and hope held high anew.
Strengthen our lives with courage
to carry us through.

You of my heart, You of my soul.
You are the Love that makes us whole.
You of my heart, You of my soul,
You are the Love that makes us whole.”

The words for this song were written by John Oldham and Pat Mayberry in 2019 in response to the shootings of Muslims in New Zealand.  In this time of political unrest, the lyrics remind us that, no matter our faith, God is love and we find our wholeness in God’s love.  The arrangement we are using is by David Kai (2019).  The song appears in the new United Church music supplement “Then Let Us Sing.” 

“Amen, Amen, Amen” (VU #969)
The music for our sung response following The Song of Faith selection was composed by James A. Kriewald (1985).

“For the Gift of Creation” (VU #538)

“For the gift of creation, the gift of your love,
            and the gift of the Spirit by which we live,
            We thank you and give you the fruit of our hands.
            May your grace be proclaimed by the gifts that we give.”

Our offering dedication was first published in the United Methodist Book of Worship (1991) and is especially appropriate during the season of Creation.  The composer, Steve Garnaas-Holmes is a United Methodist pastor in Montana.

“Make Me a Channel of Your Peace” (VU #684)

“Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring your love.
Where there is injury, your healing power,
And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.

O Spirit, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved, as to love with all my soul.

Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope.
Where there is darkness, only light,
And where there’s sadness, ever joy.

O Spirit, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved, as to love with all my soul.

Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
In giving of ourselves that we receive,
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.”

The “Prayer of Saint Francis,” is a widely known Christian prayer for peace.  It has been attributed to St. Francis and was likely written around 1220, just over 800 years ago.  It has been frequently set to music by notable songwriters and quoted by prominent leaders, and its broadly inclusive language has found appeal with diverse faiths encouraging service to others.  The prayer was heavily publicized during both World War I and World War II.  The hymn is an anthem of the Royal British Legion and is often sung at Remembrance Day services.

Hear the song sung in worship at Windsor Park United Church (2022): https://youtu.be/9PVrSIGUHsU?

Hear the interfaith medley from the musical “Come From Away” that includes the hymn at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO8uT90qNoQ

“Send Us Out”

“Send us out in the power of Your Spirit, Lord,
May our lives bring Jesus to the world.
May each thought and word bring glory to Your name,
Send us out in Your Spirit, Lord, we pray.”

The words and music for our benediction response were written by Ruth Fazal (1993).