Notes on the Notes – March 8, 2026
Third Sunday in Lent
This week’s music:
“Come, Worship God – Psalm 95” (VU #815)
“Come, worship God who is worthy of honour,
Enter God’s presence with thanks and a song!
You are the rock of your people’s salvation,
To whom our jubilant praises belong.
Ruled by your might are the heights of the mountains,
Held in your hands are the depths of the earth;
Yours is the sea, yours the land, for you made them,
God above all gods, who gave us our birth.
We are your people, the sheep of your pasture,
You are our maker and to you we pray;
Gladly we kneel in obedience before you,
Great is the One whom we worship this day!
Now let us listen, for you speak among us,
Open our hearts to receive what you say:
Peace be to all who remember your goodness,
Trust in your word and rejoice in your way!
The text for our opening hymn is a paraphrase of Psalm 95 by Michael Perry, from Psalms for Today (1990). The tune, EPIPHANY HYMN, was written by J.F. Thrupp (1848). The arrangement we are using was printed in The Hymnary (1930).
“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 for the season of Lent 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.
Hear the song sung by the Praise Singers at: https://youtu.be/4z6R_i1SizE?list=PLcKv8KzQKS1iSYAuZRuBmzJeEJHHQVrYD
“All Who are Thirsty” (MV #4)
“All who are thirsty
All who are weak
Come to the fountain
Dip your heart in the stream of life
Let the pain and the sorrow
Be washed away
In the waves of his mercy
As deep cries out to deep, we sing
Come Lord Jesus, come
Come Lord Jesus, come
Come Lord Jesus, come
Come Lord Jesus, come”
This song was written by Brenton Brown in 1998. Brenton Brown, born in South Africa, is a Christian songwriter, worship leader and part of Vineyard music (UK).
In John 7:37b-39, Jesus said, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’
Are we thirsty? Humans inherently feel that there is something more to life than just living and dying, or gaining reputation and amassing great wealth. There is a deep hunger and thirst for some spiritual meaning in our lives. Jesus satisfies us. Through the lyrics of this song, all who are “thirsty” are invited to come, and He will give us the Holy Spirit to lead and guide, and pour forth great joy and life, in and through our lives.
“Fill My Cup, Lord”
“Like the woman at the well I was seeking
For things that could not satisfy.
And then I heard my Saviour speaking:
‘Draw from the well that never shall run dry.’
Fill my cup, Lord,
I lift it up, Lord.
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.
Bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more.
Fill my cup,
Fill it up and make me whole.
There are millions in this world who are craving
The pleasure earthly things afford.
But none can match the wondrous treasure
That I find in Jesus Christ, my Lord.
Fill my cup, Lord…
So, my brother, if the things this world gave you
Leave hungers that won’t pass away.
My blessed Lord will come and save you
If you kneel to Him and humbly pray:
Fill my cup, Lord…”
This song was written by Richard Blanchard in 1959. The first verse directly references the gospel reading about the women at the well from John 4. The second and third verses extend the invitation for a more meaningful life through Jesus to everyone in the world whose lives feels empty.
“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).
“I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” (VU #626)
“I heard the voice of Jesus say, ‘Come unto me and rest;
Lay down, O weary one, lay down your head upon my breast.’
I came to Jesus as I was, weary and worn and sad;
I found in him a resting place, and he has made me glad.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, ‘Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one, stoop down, and drink, and live.’
I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life-giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in him.
I heard the voice of Jesus say, ‘I am this dark world’s light;
Look unto me, your morn shall rise, and all your day be bright.’
I looked to Jesus, and I found in him my star, my sun;
And in that light of life I’ll walk till travelling days are done.”
Horatius Bonar wrote this hymn for his congregation at Kelso in the border district of Scotland, and gave it the title “The Voice from Galilee.” Through the 3 verses, Bonar shares the invitation to come to Jesus for sanctuary, renewal and direction. The tune is a traditional folk melody from England and Ireland. It was arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams for the English Hymnal (1906). The tune is named KINGSFOLD after the village in Surrey where Vaughan Williams collected the folk song.
Flute and harp instrumental http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34hdxri8qbk
Singer Joanna Hogg – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH4OVm8nzXk
“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
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