Notes on the Notes – March 1, 2026
Second Sunday in Lent
This week’s music:
“Breathe on me, Breath of God” (VU #382)
“Breathe on me, breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what thou dost love,
And do what thou wouldst do.
Breathe on me, breath of God,
Until my heart is pure,
Until my will is one with thine,
To do and to endure.
Breathe on me, breath of God,
Till I am wholly thine,
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with the fire divine.
Breathe on me, breath of God;
So shall I never die,
But live with thee the perfect life
Of thine eternity.”
This hymn by Edwin Hatch was first published in a leaflet called Between Doubt and Prayer in 1878. The tune is by Robert Jackson, an organist and hymn-tune composer from Lancashire. It was published in 1894.
This hymn reflects both a profound simplicity and a deep knowledge of Scripture. The author invokes the Holy Spirit to come into his life and transform it. Using the first-person perspective throughout the hymn adds to the hymn’s power as the singer seeks the breath of God (Genesis 2:7) as a source for renewal…Summarizing the message of the hymn,… it may be suggested that the breath of God “brings new life and love, purity and obedience, surrender and inspiration, and finally eternal life, as the hymn moves through various stages of Christian experience and discipline towards a unity with God.” (Source: Dr. Hawn, Discipleship Ministries: History of Hymns)
“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.
“Unto the Hills” (VU #842)
“Unto the hills around do I lift up my longing eyes;
O whence for me shall my salvation come, from whence arise?
From God the Lord doth come my certain aid,
From God the Lord who heaven and earth hath made.
God will not suffer that thy foot be moved; safe shalt thou be.
No careless slumber shall those eyelids close who keepeth thee.
The One who sleepeth not, who slumbereth ne’er,
Shall guard thee, Israel, with most holy care.
Jehovah is indeed thy keeper true, thy changeless shade;
Jehovah thy defense on thy right hand, thine own true aid.
And thee no sun by day shall ever smite;
No moon shall harm thee in the silent night.
From every evil shall God keep thy soul, from every sin.
Jehovah shall preserve thy going out, thy coming in.
Above thee watching, God whom we adore
Shall keep thee henceforth, yea for evermore.”
John Douglas Sutherland Campbell was the Marquis of Lorne and, after 1900, ninth Duke of Argyll; he served as Governor General of Canada from 1878 to 1883. He published this paraphrase of Psalm 121 in his Book of Psalms (1877). The tune, SANDON, was written by Charles Purday in 1860. Translations in Mohawk and Ojibway can be found on page 843 of Voices United.
Hear an accapella version of the hymn at: https://youtu.be/h-OPPkenXvY
“A Place in the Valley”
“There’s a place in the valley beside a cool and flowing stream,
Where the trees reach up to heaven and the ground is soft and green.
All the world is calm and peaceful, there’s a stillness in the air;
And I know that in the silence, God is listening, listening to my prayer.
When I’m there in the valley beneath the sky so clear and blue,
I can see creation’s glory. All the earth seems fresh and new.
Nature’s song is all around me, blending peace and harmony;
And I know that in the music, God is calling, calling out to me.
I will lift my eyes up to the mountains, for I know my help will come from the Lord.
I will find all the strength and the comfort that I need and God’s grace will be my reward.
Let us go to the valley where golden sun breaks through the trees,
And God’s love is all around us like a warm and gentle breeze.
Let us share this awesome wonder and rejoice in each new day.
For we know that every moment, God is showing, showing us the way…”
This week’s anthem, by Don Besig and Nancy Price, was written in honor of Janet Gallagher and the music ministries of the United Church of Underhill, Vermont. The song references Psalm 121.
“These Lenten Gifts We Bring”
“These Lenten gifts we bring,
Our living faith expressed,
We offer them, most lovingly,
And thus our hearts are blessed.
O loving God receive
These gifts we gladly give,
That show our faith and hope and trust;
Your way we seek to live.”
Our Lenten offering response uses the tune FRANCONIA (VU #542), which was written by Johann Balthasar Konig (1738) and adapted by William Henry Havergal (1847).
“Nicodemus Sought Out Jesus”
“Nicodemus sought out Jesus at a lonely, quiet hour.
He said, “Teacher, God is with you! For in you we see God’s power.”
Jesus turned and gave an answer filled with challenge and with love:
“You can never see God’s kingdom till you’re born from heav’n above.”
“Born again!” said Nicodemus. “Is that something one can do?”
Jesus said, “Don’t be surprised now that you must be born anew.
And it’s not by your own doing; wind and Spirit will blow free!
They are not for your controlling; trust in God for what will be.”
God, your Spirit still surprises like an ever-changing wind,
Bringing life and love and justice where despair and death have been.
May we see your Spirit working as a gift from heav’n above.
Blest, may we then be a blessing to this world that you so love.”
Our closing hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2011) directly references the reading from John 3:1-17. The words include the multiple meaningd of the Biblical Greek word anothen, which can be translated as meaning “from above,” “again” or “anew.” The first two verses are a retelling of Nicodemus’ encounter with Jesus, while the third verse references the end of the reading and asks for God’s Spirit to move among us, bringing us new life so that we may be a blessing to the world God loves. The tune we will be using is Tune NETTLETON from John Wyeth’s Repository of Sacred Music, 1813.
“May the Christ Who Walks on Wounded Feet”
“May the Christ who walks on wounded feet
Travel with you all your journey through.
May you see Christ’s face in all you meet
And may all you meet see Christ’s face in you.”
Our benediction response was written by Allan Baer in 2013 and arranged by S. Porter. The words are adapted from a traditional Celtic prayer.
Hear the song at: May the Christ Who Walks WPUC
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