Notes on the Notes – February 26, 2023
First Sunday in Lent
This week’s music:
“Throughout These Lenten Days and Nights” (VU #108)
“Throughout these Lenten days and nights we turn to walk the inward way,
Where, meeting Christ, our guide and light, we live in hope till Easter Day.
The pilgrim Christ, the Lamb of God, who found in weakness greater power,
Embraces us, though lost and flawed, and leads us to his Rising Hour.
We bear the silence, cross and pain of human burdens, human strife,
While sisters, brothers help sustain our courage till the Feast of Life.
And though the road is hard and steep, the Spirit ever calls us on
Through Calvary’s dying, dark and deep, until we see the coming Dawn.”
Our opening hymn evokes faith and courage through its solid text and powerful, familiar tune. We are encouraged to look inward as we journey towards Easter and the text reminds us that we are not alone as we examine our failings and flaws, but are supported by those on the faith journey with us. James Gertmenian, the pastor of a Congregational church in Connecticut, submitted this hymn for Lent and Holy Week to the January 1993 issue of NewSong, a newsletter which encouraged the writing of new congregational hymns. We will be using the first 4 verses of the hymn. The tune, WINCEHSTER NEW, will be familiar to many as it is also the tune for the Advent hymn “On Jordan’s Bank.”
Hear the tune on piano at: https://yout-u.be/KZCi_oQHUo0
“Cares Chorus”
“I cast all my cares upon You.
I lay all of my burdens down at Your feet.
And anytime that I don’t know what to do,
I will cast all my cares upon You.”
This simple chorus was written by Kelly Willard in 1978. Her “Cares Chorus” was based on 1 Peter 5:6-7, where Peter writes about how to handle hard things, especially when we don’t understand. Peter says: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you.”
“Peter reminds us to pray in troubled times, something we often forget in painful circumstances. Writer Andree Seu Peterson was a young widow with four children who realized, “Thinking a lot is not the same as praying a lot.” Negative over-thinking and rumination is toxic. It leaves us feeling overwhelmed, pessimistic, and powerless. Peter says to throw all our anxieties, cares, concerns, and worries on God.” (Source: https://wohbm.org/all-your-anxieties/)
Hear the song at: https://yout-u.be/zn7RHpQ6ots
“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 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.
“O God, How We Have Wandered” (VU #112)
“O God, how we have wandered and hidden from your face;
In foolishness have squandered your legacy of grace.
But how, in exile dwelling, we turn with fear and shame,
As distant but compelling, you call us each by name.
And now at length discerning the evil that we do,
By faith we are returning with hope and trust in you.
In haste you come to meet us, and home rejoicing bring,
In gladness there to greet us with calf and robe and ring.
O God of all the living, both banished and restored,
Compassionate, forgiving, our peace and hope assured.
Grand now that our transgressing, our faithlessness may cease.
Stretch out your hand in blessing, in pardon, and in peace.”
This hymn is a reflection on the parable of the Prodigal Son. The words were written by Kevin Nichols (1980). The author puts us in the place of the prodigal, but also gives us the assurance that, once we turn back to God, we will be welcomed and forgiven. The tune, LANCASHIRE, was written by Henry T. Smart in 1836.
Hear the tune played on piano at: https://yout-u.be/ATB9aW3eIC8
“Just as I Am, Lord”
“Through all the trials which life sends my way,
Through all the troubles I face each day;
Shadows and clouds may bring doubt and fear,
But Lord, I know You are near.
Sometimes the darkness seems empty and cold,
Sometimes I search for a hand to hold.
Lost and uncertain of what to do,
I find my courage in You.
Just as I am without one plea,
For You, O Lord, will comfort me.
Your love alone will set me free!
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
I am not worthy but still You forgive,
Teaching me patiently how to live.
Humble and thankful, I come to You
With love so faithful and true.
Just as I am without one plea,
For You, O Lord, will comfort me.
Your love alone will set me free!
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.”
Today’s anthem is by Don Besig and Nancy Price. The lyrics are a reminder that God is the Comforter and Sustainer of all. In all our imperfection, shame and fear, God is with us. The anthem also fittingly incorporates the hymn “Just as I Am.” Although disabled at age thirty, Charlotte Elliott, writer of the words for “Just as I Am,” continued a long career of writing and editing. This text was published in her Invalid’s Hymn Book (1836). After her death, a file was found containing a thousand letters of thanks for this hymn. Her brother, Henry Venn Elliott, later commented that she had ministered to more people through this hymn than he had in the entire course of his ministry.
“Praise God Throughout These Forty Days”
“Praise God throughout these forty days;
Praise Christ, our Lord, whom God did raise;
And praise the Spirit who imparts
God’s love in Christ into our hearts.”
The Lenten words for our offering response were written by G.W. Dub Shepherd for the tune OLD 100TH, more familiar as the doxology, “Praise God from Whom All blessings Flow.”
“O Jesus, I Have Promised” (VU #120)
“O Jesus, I have promised to serve you to the end;
Remain forever near me, my Saviour and my friend;
I shall not fear the journey if you are by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway if you will be my guide.
O let me feel you near me: the world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me, around me and within,
But, Jesus, then draw nearer and shield my soul from sin.
O let me hear you speaking in accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self-will;
O speak to reassure me, to hasten or control;
Now speak, and make me listen, O guardian of my soul.
O Jesus, you have promised to all who follow you,
That where you are in glory your servant shall be too.
And Jesus, I have promised to serve you to the end;
O give me grace to follow, my Saviour and my friend.”
This intensely personal hymn of commitment was written by John Ernest Bode in 1866.
Hear the hymn sung with slightly different words at: https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=agWXZW7iVKc
“Grace Alone”
“Every promise we can make,
Every prayer and step of faith,
Every difference we will make
Is only by His grace.
Every mountain we will climb,
Every ray of hope we shine,
Every blessing left behind
Is only by His grace.
Grace alone which God supplies,
Strength unknown He will provide.
Christ in us, our Cornerstone,
We will go forth in grace alone.”
For the season of Lent, we will be using this song as our benediction response. It was written by Scott Wesley Brown and Jeff Nelson.
Hear the song at: https://youtu.be/b6lhilgWXIE
