Notes on the Notes – February 1, 2026

This week’s music:

“Spirit, Open My Heart” (MV #79)

“Spirit, open my heart to the joy and pain of living.
As you love may I love, in receiving and in giving, Spirit, open my heart.

God, replace my stony heart with a heart that’s kind and tender.
All my coldness and fear to your grace I now surrender.

Write your love upon my heart as my law, my goal, my story.
In each thought, word, and deed, may my living bring you glory.

May I weep with those who weep, share the joy of sister, brother.
In the welcome of Christ, may we welcome one another.”

The words for our opening hymn were written by Ruth Duck in 1994. The hymn is an plea to God to (re-)open our hearts to the natural feelings of the human life that, over time, we may have become less responsive to.  It reminds us that, if God’s love for all people is our guiding principle, we will live our lives and respond to others differently.  This hymn connects to Psalm 51,  which expresses the desire to have God create in us a clean/new heart, to better serve God and the world.

The words are sung to the traditional Irish melody WILD MOUNTAIN THYME, which was arranged by Arthur G. Clyde in 1997.

Hear an instrumental version of the tune at: https://youtu.be/5UnHsbWZss4

“Bathe Me in Your Light” (MV #82 v. 3)

“Bathe me in your grace, O One of Spirit’s longing;
Teach me of your gentle ways that fill the soul with strength.
Guide me on the pilgrimage that leads to truth and wholeness,
Fill me with your promise of a love that knows no length.”

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.

“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.” 

“The Beatitudes”

“How blessed are those who know their need of God,
the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
How blessed are the sorrowful,
consolation is near.
How blessed are those of a gentle spirit,
for them the earth will provide.
How blessed are those who hunger and thirst,
to see right prevail.
They shall, they shall,
they shall be satisfied.

How blessed are those who show mercy,
mercy shall be shown to them.
How blessed are those whose hearts are pure,
God shall be seen by them.
How blessed are the peacemakers,
they are called the children of God.
How blessed are those who suffer persecution
for the cause of right,
To them belongs, to them belongs,
to them belongs the kingdom of God.

How blessed are those who know their need of God,
the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
How blessed are those who know their need of God,
the kingdom of heaven is theirs.”

This week’s anthem was written by Jim Strathdee in 1977 and is a setting of The Beatitudes.

“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.

“From This Holy Time”

“From this holy time, from this sacred space,
We go now to serve our own day and place,
Committed to follow the way Jesus trod:
Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God.

He lives in our midst, through gone from our sight,
Baptized in his name, we walk in his light;
We treasure his presence, example and word:
Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God.

Let this be our life, till Christ comes again –
To love as he loves and work for God’s reign,
This song in our hearts and this sign on our road:
Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God.”

The text for our closing hymn was written by Marnie Barrell.  Marnie Barrell is a hymn writer and piano teacher living in Christchurch, New Zealand and teaching at Christchurch School of Music. The words of the hymn commission us to go out into the world, following Jesus’ teachings and guided by the words of Micah 6:8.  We will be using the hymn tune, LYONS, which has also been used for the hymn “You Servants of God” (VU #342).

“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