Notes on the Notes – February 1, 2015

This week’s theme: Yoga for the Heart/Praise Team Contemporary

This week’s scripture reading:  1 Corinthians 8:1-13

This week’s music:

“Come, Now is the Time to Worship”

“Come, now is the time to worship,
Come, now is the time to give your heart.
Come, just as you are, to worship,
Come, just as you are, before your God.

One day ev’ry tongue will confess You are God,
One day ev’ry knee will bow.
Still, the greatest treasure remains for those
Who gladly choose You now.

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation.
Oh, all ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration.”

This popular contemporary Christian song was written by Brian Doerkson.  Brian Robert Doerksen (pronounced “durkson”) is a Canadian Christian singer-songwriter and worship leader from Abbotsford, British Columbia who was born in 1965. For many years he was part of the Vineyard Churches as well as Vineyard Music Group. In that context he has been extremely influential in the area of contemporary Christian worship music. He was a featured worship leader on many Vineyard worship CDs and has also taught extensively on worship leading and song writing. The arrangement we will be using is by Mark Hayes (1998) and incorporates the traditional hymn “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty.”

Read the story behind the song at:  http://www.praisecharts.com/the-story-behind-come-now-is-the-time-to-worship-/

Hear Brian Doerkson and Wendy O’Connell at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELdQ66LK5Qw  

“Ancient of Days”

“Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto the Ancient of Days;
From every nation, all of creation bow before the Ancient of Days.

Every tongue in heaven and earth shall declare your glory,
Every knee shall bow at your throne in worship;
You will be exalted, O God, and your kingdom shall not pass away,
O Ancient of Days.

Your kingdom shall reign over all the earth;
Sing unto the Ancient of Days.
For none shall compare to your matchless worth;
Sing unto the Ancient of Days.”

The lyrics and music for this song were written by Garry Sadler and Jamie Harvill in 1982.

Ancient of Days, is a name for God in the Biblical Book of Daniel.  The title “Ancient of Days” has been used as a source of inspiration in art and music, denoting the Creator’s aspects of eternity combined with perfection.  William Blake‘s watercolour and relief etching entitled “The Ancient of Days” is one such example.

Hear a gospel version of the song at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-cl=84503534&v=5m04UJ6BCrI&x-yt-ts=1421914688&feature=player_detailpage

“The Light of the World”

“Jesus is the Light of the World, He is the Light of the World and we will follow Him…

When there is trouble, no need to go astray, He will shine, yes, He will shine.  Jesus will help you find your way.  Take His hand, let Him lead.  When you follow Jesus He will set you free.  Keep Him in your life and let Him shine!”

This energetic song by Don Besig and Nancy Price reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world and encourages us to always put our trust in Him.  It was written in 1996.

 “Kamana’o ‘I ‘O”

“Kamana’o ‘I ‘O
O ko kakou Akua.
Faithful, faithful is our God.

In love there is no one more faithful than our God,
Who brings the light into our darkness.
The God who shares the breath of life with you and me,
All living things upon the earth.

In quiet moments God whispers tenderly
The mystery of unending love.
For God is good, and holds us as we sleep,
To wake us to the morning light.

The mercy of our God we seek to share each day,
To help each other on our way,
To be God’s hands and heart with tenderness and care.
God’s faithfulness is always there.

When we share love, we share respect and care,
The gifts and bonds of human kindness.
And in our journey, may love lead the way.
To be God’s living, sing this day.”

This song was written by Joe Camacho in 1999. The Hawaiian opening phrase translates as “Faithful is our God.”

“Holy, Holy, Holy” (VU #315) – Today we will be using verse one of this hymn as we prepare to receive communion.  This  paraphrase of Revelations 4:8-11 was writted by Reginald Heber for use on Trinity Sunday, and published first in A Selection of Psalms and Hymns for the Parish Church of Banbury (1826).

“Holy, holy, holy!  Lord God Almighty!  Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.  Holy, holy, holy!  Merciful and mighty!  God in three persons, blessed Trinity!”

The words for this hymn are a paraphrase of Revelations 4:8-11, which were written by Reginald Heber in 1820.   The tune, NICEA, was written by John B. Dykes in 1861.  It is named for the Council of Nicaea (325 A.D.) where the doctrine of the Trinity, known as the Nicene Creed, was formulated.

 “Break the bread, share the cup”

“Jesus said to break the bread, share the cup, pass His love around.
This we’ll do to remember Him who taught a loving way to live.

And when we share with this family,
We’re building Christ’s community.
There’s hope and love for all who live.
Let’s find what we can give each other.”

This communion song was written by Nancy R. Chegus and can be found in the collection “All God’s Children Sing.”

“Blessed to Be a Blessing”

Blessed to be a blessing.  Blessed to live your love.  Blessed to share with others every blessing from above.  Blessed to walk in mercy.  Blessed to light the way.  Oh, blessed to be a blessing every day.

Oh my Jesus, You have blessed me.  You died for me to take my sin away.  Now You live Your life in me and the love received is love I give away.

Oh my Jesus, make me a blessing.  In my work and play, in everything I do.  Oh, let Your blessing flow through me, that in seeing me, may others see You…”

This song by Michael Schmid reminds us of the many ways that we have been richly blessed by God.  Having been so blessed we are called to be a blessing to others, shining forth God’s life in our lives.

 

Categories: Notes on the Notes, Sunday Bulletin and Announcements, Worship