Notes on the Notes

Notes on the Notes – April 23, 2017

Earth Day This week’s scripture reading: Genesis 1:1-30 This week’s music: “All Things Bright and Beautiful” (VU #291) This classic text, from Cecil Frances Alexander’s Hymns for Little Children (1846), is based on the phrase “Maker of heaven and earth” in the Apostles’ Creed. The new words for verse four are particularly apt in the […]

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Notes on the Notes – April 16, 2017

EASTER SUNDAY New Life – The Power of Love What is Easter? Easter, is a festival and holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial after his crucifixion by the Romans.  In Western Christianity the Easter Season begins on […]

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Notes on the Notes – April 15, 2017

Easter Vigil Join us at 7 p.m. for a time of waiting and reflection in the hope and joy of the resurrection.  Scripture Readings: Isaiah 55:1-11 Ezekiel 36:24-28 Zephaniah 3:14-20 Romans 6:3-11 Tonight’s Music: “The Old Rugged Cross”        “The inspiration came to me one day in 1913, when I was staying in Albion, Michigan,” George […]

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Notes on the Notes – April 14, 2017

GOOD FRIDAY God is With Us Always Today’s scripture:  John 18:1- 19:4-42 What is Good Friday? Good Friday is the day on which Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  Our scripture reading for the day takes us through the story of Christ’s arrest, trial and crucifixion (called the Passion narrative). The liturgical observance of […]

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Notes on the Notes – April 9, 2017

Palm Sunday Coming Home to God This week’s scripture: Matthew 21:1-11 – Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 – the stone the builders rejected/open the gates of the temple What is Palm Sunday? Palm Sunday is the final Sunday of Lent, the beginning of Holy Week, and commemorates the triumphant arrival of Christ in […]

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Notes on the Notes – April 2, 2017

LENT 5 Becoming Whole This week’s scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14 – the valley of dry bones Psalm 130 – Up from the depths I cry to God John 11:1-45 – Lazarus is brought back to life This week’s music: “Up from the Depths I Cry to God” (VU #852) “Up from the depths I cry to […]

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Notes on the Notes – March 26, 2017

LENT 4 New Light in Christ This week’s scripture: Ephesians 5:8-14 – You were in darkness, but since you have become the Lord’s people, you are in the light. John 9:1-41 – Jesus heals a blind man This week’s music: “I Love to Tell the Story” (VU #343) I love to tell the story of […]

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Notes on the Notes – March 19, 2017

Lent 3 New Life This week’s scripture: Exodus 17:1-7 – Water from the rock Psalm 95 – A song of praise John 4:5-42 – Jesus and the Samaritan woman This week’s music: “All Who are Thirsty” (MV #4) “All who are thirsty All who are weak Come to the fountain Dip your heart in the […]

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Notes on the Notes – March 12, 2017

Lent 2 Abraham – Journey into the unknown – with God This week’s scripture: Genesis 12:1-4a – God’s call to Abram Psalm 121 – I look to the mountains; where will my help come from? Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 – Abraham is the spiritual father of us all This week’s music: “Throughout These Lenten Days and […]

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Notes on the Notes – March 5, 2017

LENT 1 The Fall– As far from God as it gets This week’s scripture: Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 – the story of the fall Matthew 4:1-11 – the temptation of Jesus This week’s music: “The Stand” “You stood before creation Eternity in Your hand You spoke the earth into motion My soul now to stand You […]

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Notes on the Notes – March 1, 2017

*Ash Wednesday Tonight’s Scripture Readings: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 Psalm 51:1-17   Tonight’s Music: Psalm 51 (VU #776) “God, I call to you for help, In your mercy hear my prayer.” The sung response to Psalm 51 uses a melody by Joseph Parry (1879). “Through lenghthening days” (Tune:  VU #136) “Through lengthening days new shadows fall, […]

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Notes on the Notes – February 26, 2017

This week’s theme: Transfiguration – An Unexpected Journey This week’s scripture readings:             Exodus 24:12-18             Matthew 17:1-9 This week’s music: “Rise Up, Rise Up”  (MV #130) “Rise up, rise up, rise up, O my soul. Rise up and sing this blessing to God’s name.” Our opening song this week is by Canadian composer Linnea […]

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Notes on the Notes – February 19, 2017

This week’s theme: Love Your Neighbour as Yourself? This week’s scripture readings: Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18             Matthew 5:38-48 This week’s music: “Draw the Circle Wide” (MV #145) Draw the circle wide.  Draw it wider still. Let this be our song, no one stands alone, standing side by side, Draw the circle wide. God the still-point of […]

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Notes on the Notes – February 12, 2017

This week’s theme: Everything’s coming up Roses! This week’s scripture readings: Deuteronomy 30:15-20                     Matthew 5:33-37 This week’s music: “Jesus Loves Me” (VU #365) “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so, Little ones to him belong, in his love we shall be strong. Yes, Jesus loves me!  Yes, Jesus loves me! […]

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Notes on the Notes – February 5, 2017

This week’s theme: What Does God Really Want? This week’s scripture readings: Isaiah 58:1-12         Matthew 5:13-20 This week’s music: “Jesus Bids Us Shine” (VU #585) Jesus bids us shine with a pure, clear light, Like a little candle burning in the night. In this world is darkness, so let us shine, You in your small […]

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