Notes on the Notes – April 21, 2019

Easter Sunday/Communion

This week’s scripture readings:

Isaiah 65:17-25      John 20: 1-18

This week’s music:

“Jesus Christ is Risen Today” (VU #155)

“Jesus Christ is risen today, hallelujah!
Our triumphant holy day, hallelujah!
Who did once upon the cross, hallelujah!
Suffer to redeem our loss.  Hallelujah!

Hymns of praise then let us sing…
Unto Christ, our heavenly King,…
Who endured the cross and grave,…
Sinners to redeem and save…

But the pains which he endured,…
Our salvation have procured;…
Now above the sky he’s King,…
Where the angels ever sing…

Sing we to our God above…
Praise eternal as God’s love;…
Praise our God, ye heavenly host,…
Praise the Son and Holy Ghost.  Hallelujah!

This triumphant Easter carol appears in several 14th-century manuscripts, and has been revised and added to over the centuries, with the fourth verse being written by Charles Wesley in 1740.   The tune, EASTER HYMN, is a model of the new hymnody that was being introduced to English congregations at the beginning of the 18th century.   The descant was written by Derek Holman in 1971.

See the King’s College Choir at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMwPEmUMP7U

“Good Christians All, Rejoice and Sing”  (VU #169)

“Good Christians all, rejoice and sing!
Now is the triumph of our King!
To all the world glad news we bring:
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

The Lord of life is risen today!
Bring flowers of song, bedeck the way;
Let every tongue rejoice and say:
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

Praise we in songs of victory
That love, that life which cannot die;
And sing with hearts uplifted high:
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!

Your name we bless, O risen Lord,
And sing today with one accord
The life laid down, the life restored:
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!”

This joyful Easter carol was written by Cyril A. Alington in 1931.  The tune was published by Melchior Vulpius in 1609.  Canadian composer, Sir Ernest MacMillan, arranged the tune for The Hymnary (1930).

See the hymn used in worship at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsMsHv5fDoY

“Run with me to the Garden”

“Run with me to the garden.
See the place where the Lord was laid.
Run with me to the garden.
Christ is risen as He said.
Behold the empty grave.
Rejoice! The stone is rolled away.
Run with me, run with me, come and see, Jesus is risen indeed.

Come with me to the garden.
Alleluias awake to life.
Come with me to the garden.
Come and join the morning cry.
Raise high the triumph song.
The Son is risen with the dawn.
Come with me, come with me, come and see, Jesus is risen indeed.

Great joy is sweeping over all creation.
New hope is waking with the dawn.
Rejoice, give thanks and sing!
Let hills and valleys ring.
Give glory to the King of kings.

Gloria, gloria alleluia!
Jesus is risen indeed.

Go with me from the garden,
Go and tell what our God has done.
Go with me from the garden.
Share the news with everyone.
Christ opened paradise,
He is the everlasting life.
Go with me, go with me, go with me
Jesus is risen indeed.

Run with me to the garden,
Hail the day that sees Him rise.
Come with me to the garden,
Christ has opened paradise
Go with me…”

This Easter anthem was written by Douglas Nolan in 2004.  The words encourage us to run to the garden to see the empty tomb, come to the garden and join in creation’s song of praise, and then go from the garden to share the Good News of the risen Christ!

“Sing, Shout Hallelujah”

“Shout to God! Sing out a hallelujah!
Shout to God! Let all the world rejoice!
Lift your voice and with all the people sing to the Risen King!

Shout to God! Sing out a hallelujah!
Shout to God! Let all the world exclaim:
“Praise His name, who life everlasting brings!”
He’s the Risen King!

Let the oceans clap their hands;
Mountains leap for joy;
Trees bow down and stars adore the Holy, Risen Lord!

Shout to God! Sing out a hallelujah!
Shout to God! Let all the world rejoice.
Lift your voice and with all the people sing to the Risen King!

Allelu, allelu, allelu.
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah.
Bruised for our transgressions, slain for our iniquity.

Shout to God! Sing out a hallelujah!
Shout to God! Let all the world rejoice,
Life your voice, and with all the people sing to the Risen King!…

Son of God, Son of Man, Holy Lamb!
He is the King!”

This exciting anthem was written by Heather Sorenson in 2014.  We join with all people and all of creation in the Easter celebration!

“He is Lord”

“He is Lord!  He is Lord!  He is risen from the dead and He is Lord!
Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!”

This traditional Easter response will be our offering response for the season of Easter.  The author and composer are unknown.

“Kingsford Communion Set” (MV 203-205)

“O holy, holy, holy God,
O God of time and space.
All earth and sea and sky above bear witness to your grace.
Hosanna in the highest heav’n, creation sings your praise.
And blessed is the One who comes and bears your name always!”

“Sing Christ has died and Christ is risen, Christ will come again!
Sing Christ has died and Christ is risen, Christ will come again!”

“Amen, amen, O Holy One!
Hosanna and Amen!
Amen, amen, O Holy One!
Hosanna and Amen!”

This communion set by William S. Kervin and Paul Stott (2005) is comprised of the Sanctus and Benedictus, the Memorial Acclamation and the Great Amen of our communion liturgy.  The music is the tradition English/Irish melody, KINGSFOLD.

“I Am the Resurrection”

“I am the resurrection and the life;
All who believe in me will never die.
I am the resurrection and the life;
All who believe in me will live a new life.

I have come to bring the truth;
I have come to bring you life;
If you believe, then you shall live.

In my word all will come to know
It is love which makes the spirit grow.
If you believe, then you shall live.

Keep in mind the things that I have said,
Remember me in the breaking of the bread,
If you believe, then you shall live.”

This folk-rock style hymn about Jesus as resurrection was written by American social justice advocate and at-the-time Roman Catholic seminarian, Ray Repp in 1966.  The refrain is based on John 11:25.  The words have been updated for inclusiveness.

Hear the original recording at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mcnJdm4SzM

“Halle, Halle, Halle” (VU #958)

“Halle, halle, hallelujah!
Halle, halle, hallelujah!
Halle, halle, hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!”

 We close our service with the traditional Caribbean response, arranged by the Iona Community (1990).  

See the song used in worship (with additional verses) at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7J1EQ3eci4

To ponder:  

How do you live the resurrection day by day?