Notes on the Notes – February 22, 2026

First Sunday in Lent

This week’s music: 

“Throughout These Lenten Days and Nights” (VU #108)

“Throughout these Lenten days and nights we turn to walk the inward way,
Where, meeting Christ, our guide and light, we live in hope till Easter Day.

The pilgrim Christ, the Lamb of God, who found in weakness greater power,
Embraces us, though lost and flawed, and leads us to his Rising Hour.

We bear the silence, cross and pain of human burdens, human strife,
While sisters, brothers help sustain our courage till the Feast of Life.

And though the road is hard and steep, the Spirit ever calls us on
Through Calvary’s dying, dark and deep, until we see the coming Dawn.”

Our opening hymn evokes faith and courage through its solid text and powerful, familiar tune.  We are encouraged to look inward as we journey towards Easter and the text reminds us that we are not alone as we examine our failings and flaws, but are supported by those on the faith journey with us.  James Gertmenian, the pastor of a Congregational church in Connecticut, submitted this hymn for Lent and Holy Week to the January 1993 issue of NewSong, a newsletter which encouraged the writing of new congregational hymns.  We will be using the first 4 verses of the hymn. The tune, WINCEHSTER NEW,  will be familiar to many as it is also the tune for the Advent hymn “On Jordan’s Bank.”

Hear the tune on piano at:  https://yout-u.be/KZCi_oQHUo0

“How Deep the Peace” (MV #95)

“How deep the peace, the confidence, of those whose wrongs are forgiven.
How deep the peace, the confidence, of those whose hearts are healed.”

Our response to the Words of Assurance is based on Psalm 32.  Having left our concerns with God through prayer, we hear of God’s unfailing love. This hymn was written by Linnea Good in 2004.

“Jesus, Tempted in the Desert” (VU #115)

Jesus, tempted in the desert; lonely, hungry, filled with dread:
“Use your power,” the tempter tells him, “Turn these barren rocks to bread!”
“Not alone by bread,” he answers, “Can the human heart be filled.
Only by the Word that calls us is our deepest hunger stilled!”

Jesus, tempted at the temple, high above its ancient wall:
“Throw yourself from lofty turret, angels wait to break your fall!”
Jesus shuns such empty marvels, feats that fickle crowds request:
“God, whose grace protects, reserves us, we must never vainly test.”

Jesus, tempted on the mountain by the lure of vast domain:
“Fall before me! Be my servant! Glory, fame, you’re sure to gain!”
Jesus sees the dazzling vision, turns his eyes another way:
“God alone deserves our homage! God alone will I obey!”

When we face temptations power, lonely, struggling, filled with dread,
Christ, who knew the tempter’s hour, come and be our living bread.
By your grace, protect, preserve us lest we fall, your trust betray.
Yours, above all other voices, be the Word we hear, obey.”

This text about the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness is from Herman Stuempfle’s The Word Goes Forth (1990.)   While the first verses retell the story of Jesus, the closing verse is a prayer to Jesus to be with us as we face the modern temptations that separate us from God.  The tune is the familiar BEACH SPRING, from The Sacred Harp (1844) with harmonization by Ronald A Nelson (1978).

“Just as I Am, Lord” 

“Through all the trials which life sends my way,
Through all the troubles I face each day;
Shadows and clouds may bring doubt and fear,
But Lord, I know You are near.

Sometimes the darkness seems empty and cold,
Sometimes I search for a hand to hold.
Lost and uncertain of what to do, 
I find my courage in You.

Just as I am without one plea,
For You, O Lord, will comfort me.
Your love alone will set me free!
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

I am not worthy but still You forgive,
Teaching me patiently how to live.
Humble and thankful, I come to You
With love so faithful and true.

Just as I am without one plea,
For You, O Lord, will comfort me.
Your love alone will set me free!
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.”

Today’s anthem is by Don Besig and Nancy Price.  The lyrics are a reminder that God is the Comforter and Sustainer of all.  In all our imperfection, shame and fear, God is with us.  The anthem also fittingly incorporates the hymn “Just as I Am.”  Although disabled at age thirty, Charlotte Elliott, writer of the words for “Just as I Am,” continued a long career of writing and editing.   This text was published in her Invalid’s Hymn Book (1836).  After her death, a file was found containing a thousand letters of thanks for this hymn.  Her brother, Henry Venn Elliott, later commented that she had ministered to more people through this hymn than he had in the entire course of his ministry.

“These Lenten Gifts We Bring”

“These Lenten gifts we bring,
Our living faith expressed,
We offer them, most lovingly,
And thus our hearts are blessed.

O loving God receive
These gifts we gladly give,
That show our faith and hope and trust;
Your way we seek to live.”

Our Lenten offering response uses the tune FRANCONIA (VU #542), which was written by Johann Balthasar Konig (1738) and adapted by William Henry Havergal (1847).

“O Jesus, I Have Promised” (VU #120)

“O Jesus, I have promised to serve you to the end;
Remain forever near me, my Saviour and my friend;
I shall not fear the journey if you are by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway if you will be my guide.

O let me feel you near me: the world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me, around me and within,
But, Jesus, then draw nearer and shield my soul from sin.

O let me hear you speaking in accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self-will;
O speak to reassure me, to hasten or control;
Now speak, and make me listen, O guardian of my soul.

O Jesus, you have promised to all who follow you,
That where you are in glory your servant shall be too.
And Jesus, I have promised to serve you to the end;
O give me grace to follow, my Saviour and my friend.”

This intensely personal hymn of commitment was written by John Ernest Bode in 1866.

Hear the hymn sung with slightly different words at:  https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=agWXZW7iVKc

“May the Christ Who Walks on Wounded Feet” 

“May the Christ who walks on wounded feet
Travel with you all your journey through.
May you see Christ’s face in all you meet
And may all you meet see Christ’s face in you.”

Our benediction response was written by Allan Baer in 2013 and arranged by S. Porter. The words are adapted from a traditional Celtic prayer.

Hear the song at: May the Christ Who Walks WPUC