Notes on the Notes – January 25, 2026

This week’s music:

“Will You Come and Follow Me”  (VU #567) 

This hymn, also known as “The Summons” was written by John Bell of the Iona Community.  The first verses contain the questions that Jesus poses to us –

“Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be know,
Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

Will you love the “you” you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around,
Through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?”

Jesus’ questions involve taking personal risks as well as risks in the world as his followers.  Being a follower of Jesus also requires a change in us, both in attitude and in action.

The final verse of the hymn is our answer – our commitment to move forward with Christ and never be the same:

“Christ, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.”

The tune is the traditional Scottish tune KELINGROVE, which is the same tune as the hymn “Will You Come and See the Light” another hymn about making choices to follow Jesus.

Hear the hymn sung by Robert Kochis at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0aAkOe87mo

“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.

“The Lord is My Light”

“The Lord is my light, my help, my salvation.
Why should I fear? With God I fear no one.
God protects me all my life.
With the Lord what should I dread?

The Lord is my light, the Lord is my help,
The Lord is my salvation.

There is one thing I ask of the Lord that I long for:
All of my days with God to be dwelling,
Gazing with awe at the beauty of God,
And in wonder look on God’s house.

The Lord is my light, the Lord is my help,
The Lord is my salvation.

I know I will live to see the Lord’s goodness;
Now, in this life, I’m sure I will see it.
Trust in the Lord, be strong and be brave;
Wait in hope for God, our salvation.

The Lord is my light, the Lord is my help,
The Lord is my salvation.”

This hymn, based on Psalm 27 was written by Christopher Walker in 1996.

“As We Meet Beside the Lakeshore” 

“As we meet beside the lakeshore,
Christ, you beckon, “Come with me.
Cast your net in deeper water,
Venture toward a farther sea.”
Calm my fear and fire my courage
When I hear you call my name.
Guide me as I journey onward,
Growing as I own your claim. 

Can I set to sea like Peter,
Trembling, lost, yet rock-to-be?
Can I keep the watch with Mary,
Faithful still while others flee? 
What potential lies within me?
What horizons lie before?
Steady me to trust your Spirit,
Wind who blows my boat from shore.

As I tremble by the lakeshore,
Christ, you counsel, “Do not fear.
You will catch not fish, but people;
Cast your net both far and near.”
Show me where the need is deepest
And where you would have me go.
Give me faith to risk and follow,
Leaving everything I know.”

The words for this hymn were written by Ruth C. Duck and appear in her collection “Circles of Care.” She wrote it for the Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary spiritual life retreat in September 1996.  While writing, Duck thought of the people who would be welcomed to the seminary through the retreat, many of whom would have left behind successful careers to follow their calling.  She said, “Again and again, faithful Christians, lay and clergy, must make the choice to follow Jesus, leaving behind what is past.”  The tune we will be using is ABBOT’S LEIGH by Cyril V. Taylor (1941).

Hear the tune on pipe organ at:  https://youtu.be/VQCpGiNuWOo

“Jesus Saw Them Fishing” aka “Fish With Me” (MV #113) 

“Jesus saw them fishing by the shore of Galilee,
Casting out their nets into the sea.
Simon Peter, Andrew and the sons of Zebedee,
Waiting in their boats so patiently.

And Jesus said, “Oh, come and follow me.
Oh, leave behind your nets. I call you.
Oh, come and fish with me,
And your life will never be the same again.”

A rich young person came to Jesus looking for advice.
“How can I obtain eternal life?”
Jesus told him, “Honor the commandments of the Lord.
Then sell off all your riches for the poor.”

And Jesus said, “Oh, come and follow me.
Oh, leave behind your nets. I call you.
Oh, come and fish with me,
And your life will never be the same again.”

Those who save their lives will lose them.
Those who lose their lives will save them.
For what profit does it show if you gain the world but lose your soul,
Your soul?

“If you want to follow me deny your very self.
Take up your cross and walk the walk with me.
This might seem a hardship, an impossibility,
But nothing is impossible with God.”

And Jesus said, “Oh, come and follow me.
Oh, leave behind your nets. I call you.
Oh, come and fish with me,
And your life will never be the same again.”

The text of this song is based on Matthew 4:18-22; 16:24-26; 19:16-21, 25-26 and provides a retelling of the calling of the first disciples.  It was written in 2002 by Ken Canedo.

“In Gratitude and Humble Trust” (VU #544)

                     In gratitude and humble trust we bring our best today
                     To serve your cause and share your love with all along life’s way
                     O God, who gave yourself to us in Jesus Christ, your Son,
                     Teach us to give ourselves each day until life’s work is done.

Our offering response text is the third verse of the hymn “As Those of Old Their First-fruits Brought” (VU #518).  It was published in 1961 and is set to the tune FOREST GREEN, a traditional English folk tune arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1906.

“Lead Me, Lord” 

“Lead me, Lord, I will follow.
Lead me, Lord, I will go.
You have called me, I will answer.
Lead me, Lord, I will go.”

Our closing song response was written by Wayne and Elizabeth Goodine in 1994.  As we come to the end of worship, we renew our commitment to follow Jesus throughout the coming week.
Hear The Harmony Singers (2021):

“Show Us Christ in One Another” 

“Show us Christ in one another.
Make us servants strong and true.
Give us all your love of justice
So we do what you would do.
Let us call all people holy.
Let us pledge our lives anew.
Make us one with all the lowly.
Let us all be one in you.”

The words for our benediction response were written by Marty Haugen (1985) and come from the hymn “God of Day and God of Darkness.”  We will be using the tune BEACH SPRING (1844).

Hear the tune on piano at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBFm1Q9iRwo