Notes on the Notes – January 11, 2026

This week’s music:

“Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart” (VU #378 v. 1, 2, 4)

“Spirit of God, descend upon my heart:
Wean it from earth, thro’ all its pulses move;
Stoop to my weakness, strength to me impart,
And make me love you as I ought to love.

I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,
No sudden rending of the veil of clay,
No angel visitant, no opening skies,
But take the dimness of my soul away.

Teach me to love you as your angels love,
One holy passion filling all my frame,
The baptism of the heaven-descended dove,
My heart an altar and your love the flame.”

George Croly, an Anglican minister from Dublin, went to London as a young man to serve a small congregation.  While working there, Croly wrote the hymn, “Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart.”  The hymn is a prayer for God to change us — to change us from the inside out — to teach us how to love God as we ought to love – to allow us to seek God and to find him — and to teach us to love as the angels love.  This hymn reflects Croly’s conviction that redemption is an inside job — that it begins not when our surroundings change but when God changes our heart.

Hear Sue Nixon sing the hymn at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeZcdxKKzOU

Hear the hymn played on piano at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIOwwihkVSQ

Learn more about the hymn’s history at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9vOXtWFGA4

“Bathe Me in Your Light” (MV #82 v. 1)

“Bathe me in your light, O God of All, Creator;
Let it shine upon my soul with healing and with grace.
Be to me a beacon bright through shadows of life’s wounding,
Showing me the way to live in faith, in your embrace.”

The text of this new hymn was written by John Oldham in 2002.  John served as a United Church minister for many years in Manitoba, including 14 years at Donnelly United Church in Winnipeg.  As we respond to the Words of Assurance, we ask that we be bathed in light, love and grace, that we may live in God’s way.

The music is by Canadian composer Ron Klusmeier.  Ron lives on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. He composes, arranges, and edits new music for worship and serves as a resource consultant for churches throughout Canada and the U.S.

Hear the music played on piano by clicking below:

“Down by the Jordan”

“Down by the Jordan, a prophet named John was baptizing,
Preaching a message the people found bold and surprising:
“God will forgive! Show that you’ll change how you live!
Surely God’s new day is rising!”

There by the river, the crowd came with great expectation:
“Are you God’s Chosen One, sent here to rescue our nation?”
“No!” John replied. “He who is mightier than I
Judges and offers salvation.”

Jesus, you went to be baptized along with the others,
Taking your place among sinners, God’s lost sons and daughters.
Then with great love, God’s Spirit came as a dove!
Your work began in those waters.

Here in the Church, we are baptized and filled with God’s Spirit.
Freed and forgiven, we’re welcomed with joy! Can you hear it?
This is God’s sign! This is how God says, “You’re mine!”
Let’s take the good news and share it!”

The text for this new hymn is by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2000).  Through the lyrics, Gillette references the biblical stories from all four gospels around the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.   The tune we will be using is ERNEUERTEN GESANGBUCH (1665), commonly known as the tune for the hymn, “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” (VU #220).

“In the Darkness Shines the Splendour” (VU #92)

“In the darkness shines the splendour of the Word who took our flesh,
Welcoming, in love’s surrender, death’s dark shadow at his creche.
Bearing every human story, Word made flesh reveals his glory.

Light of nations, veiled in history, born of woman’s flesh and blood,
Calling to the depths of mystery restless hearts that seek the good.
Healing every human story, Word made flesh reveals his glory.

Broken bread, sustaining us in sorrow, wine poured out to toast our joy;
Exodus and new tomorrow, life’s full promise to enjoy!
Gladdening every human story, Word made flesh reveals his glory.

All God’s people, sing in jubilation of the birth that sets us free,
Telling of the revelation:  Jesus, God’s epiphany.
Celebrate the human story!  Word made flesh reveals our glory.”

The words of our opening hymn draw our attention to Jesus as the incarnation of God’s glory.  The third verse also connects us to the sacrament of communion.  Bernadette Gasslein’s new hymn is set to the familiar tune IRBY, which is the tune for “Once in Royal David’s City,” composed by Henry John Gauntlett.   The hymn was published in 1994 in the Canadian Catholic book of Worship III.  

Hear the melody on pipe organ at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fc-XXz6zTW8

“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! 

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

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

“I Have Called You by Your Name” (MV #161)

“I have called you by your name, you are mine;
I have gifted you and ask you now to shine.
I will not abandon you; all my promises are true.
You are gifted, called, and chosen; you are mine.

I will help you learn my name as you go;
Read it written in my people, help them grow.
Pour the water in my name, speak the word your soul can claim,
Offer Jesus’ body given long ago.

I know you will need my touch as you go;
Feel it pulsing in creation’s ebb and flow.
Like the woman reaching out, choosing faith in spite of doubt,
Hold the hem of Jesus’ robe, then let it go.

I have given you a name, it is mine;
I have given you my Spirit as a sign.
With my wonder in your soul, make my wounded children whole;
Go and tell my precious people they are mine.”

The lyrics of this hymn by Daniel Charles Damon have their root in Isaiah 43:1.  This hymn is written from God’s perspective, saying “I have called you by your name, you are mine” and goes on to speak of God’s hope for us.   It commissions us to have the courage to follow where God leads and reminds us of everyone’s value in God’s eyes.

Hear the hymn at: https://youtu.be/dblEo8-6-80?list=RDdblEo8-6-80

“Your Glory Shone at Jordan’s Stream” (VU #84 v. 3)

“Your glory shone at Jordan’s stream,
The font where we were born anew.
Attune your church to know you near;
Illumine all we say and do.”

We will be using the third verse of the hymn “O Radiant Christ, Incarnate Word” as our benediction response this week. The words were written by Ruth Duck (1991).

Bonus video: Down to the River to Pray