Notes on the Notes – November 19, 2023

This week’s music: 

“We are Pilgrims (The Servant Song)” (VU #595)

“We are pilgrims on a journey, fellow travelers on the road;
We are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.

Sister, let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you;
Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too.

I will hold the Christ-light for you in the night-time of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping, when you laugh I’ll laugh with you;
I will share your joy and sorrow, till we’ve seen this journey through.

When we sing to God in heaven, we shall find such harmony,
Born of all we’ve known together of Christ’s love and agony.

Brother, let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you;
Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too.”

Our opening hymn was written in 1974 by Richard Gillard, and was first published in Songs of the Kingdom (1977).  The words of the hymn express our desire to walk our faith journey with others, sharing the joys and sorrows in a spirit of community.

“For the Fruit of All Creation” (VU #227)

“For the fruit of all creation, thanks be to God.
For the gifts to every nation, thanks be to God.
For the ploughing, sowing, reaping,
Silent growth while we are sleeping;
Future needs in earth’s safekeeping, thanks be to God.

In the just reward of labour, God’s will is done.
In the help we give our neighbour, God’s will is done.
In our world-wide task of caring for the hungry and despairing,
In the harvests we are sharing, God’s will is done.

For the harvests of the Spirit, thanks be to God.
For the good we all inherit, thanks be to God.
For the wonders that astound us, for the truths that still confound us,
Most of all that love has found us, thanks be to God.”

This hymn bring us together in praise and thanksgiving for God’s goodness.  The words were written by Fred Pratt Green in 1970 and remind us that as God gives to us, we are commissioned to care for each other.  The words have been set to the traditional Welsh song “Ar Hyd Y Nos (All Through the Night), which was arranged as a hymn tune by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1906.

Hear a beautiful orchestral arrangement of the tune at:  https://youtu.be/d2zgTwdU4E8

“All I Have” 

“All I have I give to Jesus, all I am and all I hope to be.
There is nothing that I could give Him that would repay His gift of love to me.
All my praise I give to Jesus, ev’ry song I have to sing.
Through His name I live victorious, as I proclaim Him as my Lord and King.

Take my life and all it is; make it more completely yours. 
Fill me now that I may live in your love forevermore. 

Use me Lord, to do your Kingdom’s work; in your plan, Lord, let me have a part.
Make each day I live a tribute Lord, let your Spirit overflow my heart.
Help me find a place of service Lord, that I may show the way of truth.
All I am and all I hope to be, Lord, I give it all to you…”

This week’s anthem was written by Stan Pethel in 1995.  The words express our commitment to live our lives in the service of Jesus.

“Take My Life and Let it Be” (VU #506)

“Take my life, and let it be consecrated, all for thee;
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love;
Take my feet, and let them be swift and purposeful for thee.

Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from thee;
Take my intellect, and use every power as thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it thine; it shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love: and I will pour at thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee.”

This hymn was written by Frances Ridley Havergal early in 1874 to celebrate a period of religious awakening at a household where she was visiting.  The words express our commitment of our entire selves to God, with verses offering our life, time, hands, feet, lips, intellect, will, heart, love and whole self.  The anonymous tune is derived from the “Kyrie” of a mass long thought to have been composed by Mozart.

Hear the hymn sung with piano accompaniment at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf11rReeWIs

“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” (VU #541)

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures high and low;
Give thanks to God in love made known:
Creator, Word and Spirit, One.  Amen.”

The words for this traditional Doxology were written around 1674 by Thomas Ken, and updated for Voices United.   A Doxology is a short hymn of praise to God, which makes it suitable for our offering response.  The music, OLD 100th, is from the Genevan Psalter (1551).

Here the Doxology sung with the original version of the words by Anthem Lights, featuring Selah:

“One More Step” (VU #639)

“One more step along the world I go,
One more step along the world I go,
From the old things to the new, keep me traveling along with you:
And it’s from the old I travel to the new; keep me traveling along with you.

Round the corner of the world I turn,
More and more about the world I learn;
All the new things that I see you’ll be looking at along with me:
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
Keep me traveling along with you.

As I travel through the bad and good, keep me traveling the way I should;
Where I see no way to go you’ll be telling me the way, I know:
And it’s form the old I travel to the new;
Keep me traveling along with you. 

Give me courage when the world is rough,
Keep me loving though the world is tough,
Leap and sing in all I do, keep me traveling along with you:
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
Keep me traveling along with you. 

You are older than the world can be,
You are younger than the life in me,
Ever old and ever new, keep me traveling along with you:
And it’s from the old I travel to the new;
Keep me traveling along with you.”

This folk-hymn by Sydney Carter was written in 1971.  The words of the hymn emphasize that living a faith-filled life is more about the journey than about having all of the answers.  It also speaks of our desire to have God with us as we live and learn in a world that is constantly changing.

Hear the hymn at:  https://youtu.be/YquLANPYiRU

“May the God of Peace” (MV #224) 

“May the God of peace and of all good,
May the God of peace and of all good
Be always with you.  Amen!
May God’s peace be with you.  Amen!”

This traditional Goun song comes from the country of Benin in Africa.  It’s original title is “Na Jijoho.”
The song was translated to English by S. T. Kimbrough, Jr. 

Hear the song with a slightly different English translation at: https://youtu.be/s-j-EXvZzG8