Notes on the Notes – August 29, 2021

This week’s music:

“There is Room for All” (MV #62)

“There is room for all in the shadow of God’s wing;
There is room for all, sheltered in God’s love,
And I rejoice and sing, “My refuge and my rock, in whom I trust.”
There is room for all,
There is room for all!”

As we gather for worship, we will be singing this song of the inclusive love of God that echoes the opening verses of Psalm 91. The words and music are by Bruce Harding (2004).

“Deep in Our Hearts” (MV #154)

“Deep in our hearts there is a common vision;
Deep in our hearts there is a common song;
Deep in our hearts there is a common story,
Telling creation that we are one.

Deep in our hearts there is a common purpose;
Deep in our hearts there is a common goal;
Deep in our hearts there is a sacred message,
Justice and peace in harmony.

Deep in our hearts there is a common longing;
Deep in our hearts there is a common theme;
Deep in our hearts there is a common current,
Flowing to freedom like a stream.

Deep in our hearts there is a common vision;
Deep in our hearts there is a common song;
Deep in our hearts there is a common story,
Telling Creation that we are one.”

As we light the rainbow candles, we sing this song, with words by John Oldham and music by Ron Klusmeier, which speaks to the human longing for the divine that is common across time and faith divisions.  It was written in 1996.

See the song, with Ron Klusmeier at the piano at:  https://youtu.be/YnZaO8udMcQ

“We are One” (VU #402)

“We are one as we come, as we come, joyful to be here,
In the praise on our lips there’s a sense that God is near.
We are one as we sing, as we seek, we are found;

And we come needful of Gods grace as we meet, together in this place.

We are one as we share, as we share brokenness and fear,
In the touch of a hand there’s a sense that God is here.
We are one as we care, as we heal, we are healed;
And we share warmth in God’s embrace as we pray together in this place.

We are one as we hear, as we hear, heart and hand unite;
In the word we receive there’s a sense that God is light.

We are one as we leave, as we love, we are loved;
And we seek justice in God’s ways as we move together from this place.”

The tune for this hymn was composed in 1987 by Jeeva Sam of Regina, SK, a United Church minister.  The arrangement is by another United Church minister, David Kai, of Gloucester Ontario (1995) . Written especially for the music, the hymn text comes to us from a third United Church minister, Doreen Lankshear-Smith of Thunder Bay. The words remind us of our common journey as a faith community. We will be using the first 2 verses for our opening hymn. The final verse will be our benediction response.  Hear the tune at:  https://youtu.be/g6BldTHfcz4

“Teach Me, God, to Wonder” (VU #299)

“Teach me, God, to wonder, teach me, God, to see;
Let your world of beauty capture me.
Praise to you be given, love for you be lived,
Life be celebrated, joy you give.

Let me, God, be open, let me loving be;
Let your world of people speak to me.
Praise to you be given, love for you be lived,
Life be celebrated, joy you give.

Let me, God, be ready, let me be awake,
In your world of loving my place take.
Praise to you be given, love for you be lived,
Life be celebrated, joy you give.

Teach me, God, to know you, hear you when you speak,
See you in my neighbour when we meet.
Praise to you be given, love for you be lived,
Life be celebrated, joy you give.”

Through the words of this hymn, we ask to be made open to God’s presence in the beauty of Creation as well as God’s presence in the people we meet.  We celebrate God’s love by living in love with others. This song was a collaboration between Walter Farquharson (lyrics – 1973) and Ron Klusmeier (music – 1974).

Hear the hymn sung by St. John’s United Church at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A00i9ThXdxI

“Let Us Build a House” (MV #1 v. 1 & 4)

“Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live,
A place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace;
Here the love of Christ shall end division:
All are welcome,
All are welcome,
All are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone
To heal and strengthen, serve and teach, and live the Word they’ve known.
Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God’s face;
Let us bring an end to fear and danger:
All are welcome,
All are welcome,
All are welcome in this place.”

For our closing hymn this week, we will be using two verses of the hymn “Let Us Build a House” by Marty Haugen (1994).

Hear the song at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAZC65CwTEA

“We are a Rainbow” (An Affirming Hymn)

“We’re the light of all the world, we are a city on a hill,
We’re a candle on a stand proclaiming light,
We not hide our lamp beneath a bushel anymore,
We will shine a ray of hope that’s burning bright.

We are a rainbow, sign of covenant and peace
For the flood of tears will finally cease to be,
Come shine your rainbow, splash your hues across the sky,
Paint the world in colours proud and bold and free.

We’re a coat of many colours, sewn from many different threads,
Covering all in warmth, in welcome and in grace,
God said, “Let there be light,” created every varied shade,
In the rainbow each of us can find a place.

We are a rainbow…

We are hope to still believe in tomorrow’s better day,
We are peace in a world that’s torn apart,
We are joy that will last in all the struggles that we face
We are love that blooms and grows in every hearts.

We are a rainbow…

When we face the storms of life, we will never be alone,
For our God will be with us on the way,
Hand in hand, side by side, we won’t be frightened anymore,
As the mourning night of tears breaks into day.

We are a rainbow, sign of covenant and peace
For the flood of tears will finally cease to be,
Come shine your rainbow, splash your hues across the sky,
Paint the world in colours proud and bold and free.

The words and music for this powerful song were written by David Kai in 2017.  Through the lyrics, David Kai makes many Biblical references to both the Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament.  The words speak to acceptance and pride in being ones true self, without fear or discrimination.  Our service will close with an encore presentation of the recording made by the Praise Team for the service on August 8, 2021.