Notes on the Notes – November 23, 2025

Reign of Christ Sunday

This week’s music:

“Sing Your Praise to God Eternal” (VU #244)

“Sing your praise to God eternal, sing your praise to God the Son,
Sing your praise to God the Spirit, living and forever One.
God has made us, God has blessed us, God has called us to be true.
God rules over all creation, daily making all things new.

Join the praise of every creature, sing with singing birds at dawn;
When the stars shine forth at nightfall, hear their heavenly antiphon.
Praise God for the light of summer, autumn glories, winter snows,
For the coming of the springtime and the life of all that grows.

Praise God on our days of gladness for the summons to rejoice;
Praise God in our times of sadness for the calm, consoling voice.
God our Maker, strong and loving, Christ our Saviour, Leader, Lord,
Living God, Creator Spirit, be your holy name adored!”

As we begin our time of worship, we will be singing this joyful hymn of praise to God, embodied in the trinity.  The words remind us of God’s presence with us always – through all times and all places.  God is not only with us in the good times, but also walks with us during times of struggle.  Our response is to sing our praise with all of Creation.  This hymn, by R.B.Y. Scott, was first published in 1971.  The tune, ARFON, is derived from a Welsh folksong dating from at least the 18th century with possible French origins.

Hear the hymn sung in worship at Trinity United Church in PEI (the hymn occurs at minute 17, so feel free to enjoy “visiting” another church) https://youtu.be/LQSKmuNJGBw

“Come and Fill Our Hearts” (MV #16)

“Come and fill our hearts with your peace.
You alone, O Lord, are holy.
Come and fill our hearts with your peace,
Alleluia.”

This short song of centering and healing prayer comes from the Taize Community, with music by Jacques Berthier (1982).

“O Christ What Can it Mean for Us?”

“O Christ, what can it mean for us to claim you as our king?
What royal face have you revealed whose praise the church would sing?
Aspiring not to glory’s height, to power, wealth, and fame,
You walked a different, lowly way, another’s will your aim.

You came, the image of our God, to heal and to forgive,
To shed your blood for sinners’ sake that we might rise and live.
To break the law of death you came, the law of love to bring:
A different rule of righteousness, a different kind of king.

Though some would make their greatness felt and lord it over all,
You said the first must be the last and service be our call.
O Christ, in workplace, church, and home, let none to power cling;
For still, through us, you come to serve, a different kind of king.

You chose a humble human form and shunned the world’s renown;
You died for us upon a cross with thorns Your only crown.
But still, beyond the span of years, our glad hosannas ring,
For now at God’s right hand You reign, a different kind of king!”

The words for this hymn were written by Delores Dufner (2001, 2003).  We have used this hymn on Palm Sunday as well as Reign of Christ Sunday as we struggle with the meaning of Christ as “King” and what that means for us in the world today.  The tune that we will be using is KINGSFOLD.

“Come, Christians, Join to Sing”  

“Come, children, join to sing: Alleluia! Amen!   
Praise to our Servant-King: Alleluia! Amen! 
Let all with heart and voice, saved by God’s gracious choice,
Now in this place rejoice: Alleluia! Amen! 

Come, lift your hearts on high: Alleluia! Amen!
Let praises fill the sky: Alleluia! Amen! 
Christ calls his people friends, the helpless he defends,
A love that never ends: Alleluia! Amen! 

Praise yet our Christ again: Alleluia! Amen! 
Raise high the joyous strain: Alleluia! Amen! 
The whole creation o’er let all God’s love adore,
Singing forevermore: Alleluia! Amen!

Come, Christians, join to sing!”

“Come Christians, Join to Sing” began as a Sunday school song for children.  Originally entitled, “Come, Children, Join to Sing,” the hymn’s name was changed to “Come, Christians, Join to Sing” when its author realized everyone loved to sing his hymn.  The hymn was written in 1843 and first appeared in a Scottish hymnbook for children entitled Sacred Melodies for Sabbath Schools and Families.  In Voices United we see the return to the original title and updated the text. The anthem version that we are using was arranged by Stan Pethel (1991).

Hear a concertato version of the hymn at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qlt1Qp1WvRA

“Kriewald Amen” (VU #969)

“Amen, amen, amen.” 

The music for our sung response following The Creed was composed by James A. Kriewald (1985).

“Grant Us, God, the Grace of Giving” (VU #540)

“Grant Us, God, the grace of giving,
With a spirit large and free,
That ourselves and all our living
We may offer faithfully.”

The text of our offering response comes from the Mennonite hymn book, “Hymnal: a Worship Book.”  The tune, STUTTGART, is a familiar one which is also used for the Advent hymn “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” (VU #2).

“From This Holy Time”

“From this holy time, from this sacred space,
We go now to serve our own day and place,
Committed to follow the way Jesus trod:
Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God.

He lives in our midst, through gone from our sight,
Baptized in his name, we walk in his light;
We treasure his presence, example and word:
Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God.

Let this be our life, till Christ comes again –
To love as he loves and work for God’s reign,
This song in our hearts and this sign on our road:
Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with God.”

The text for our closing hymn was written by Marnie Barrell.  Marnie Barrell is a hymn writer and piano teacher living in Christchurch, New Zealand and teaching at Christchurch School of Music. The words of the hymn commission us to go out into the world, following Jesus’ teachings and guided by the words of Micah 6:8.  We will be using the hymn tune, LYONS, which has also been used for the hymn “You Servants of God” (VU #342).

“Danish Amen”  (VU #967)

“Amen, amen, amen.”

Our 3-fold choral amen is also referred to as the Danish Amen, although the composer is unknown.