Notes on the Notes – October 26, 2014
This week’s theme: Reformation Sunday – What drives you?
This week’s scripture: Deuteronomy 34:1-12, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
This week’s music:
“Jesus Loves Me” (VU #365)
“Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so, little ones to him belong, in his love we shall be strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me, this I know, as he loved so long ago, taking children on his knee, saying, “Let them come to me.”
Jesus loves me still today, walking with me on my way, wanting as a friend to give light and love to all who live.”
This popular song has been loved among children and adults alike since it was written in 1860. Anna B. Warner wrote the original version and later David Rutherford McGuire added stanzas two and three. Anna’s sister Susan had asked her to write a song for a Sunday School teacher who wanted to cheer a dying boy. The song first appeared in a novel, Say and Seal. In 1862, William B. Bradbury composed the music and added the refrain. The original version had more verses than the three commonly used today. Following are the original lyrics to the song, “Jesus Loves Me:”
“Jesus loves me! This I know, For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong; They are weak, but He is strong.
Refrain: “Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
“Jesus loves me! This I know, As He loved so long ago, Taking children on His knee, Saying, ‘Let them come to Me.’
“Jesus loves me still today, Walking with me on my way, Wanting as a friend to give Light and love to all who live.
“Jesus loves me! He who died Heaven’s gate to open wide; He will wash away my sin, Let His little child come in.
“Jesus loves me! He will stay Close beside me all the way; Thou hast bled and died for me, I will henceforth live for Thee.
“Jesus loves me! Loves me still, Though I’m very weak and ill, That I might from sin be free Bled and died upon the tree.”
See the hymn played on the harp at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bXvTOpLw94
“We Are One” (VU #402) – This new hymn text was submitted for Voices United by Doreen Lankshear-Smith of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The tune was composed in 1987 by Jeeva Sam of Regina, SK and arranged by David Kai of Gloucester, Ontario in 1995. The words remind us of our common journey as a faith community:
“We are one as we come, as we come, joyful to be here, in the praise on our lips there’s a sense that God is near. We are one as we sing, as we seek, we are found; and we come needful of God’s grace as we meet, together in this place.
We are one as we share; as we share brokenness and fear, in the touch of a hand there’s a sense that God is here. We are one as we care, as we heal, we are healed; and we share warmth in God’s embrace as we pray together in this place.
We are one as we hear, as we hear, heart and hand unite; in the word we receive there’s a sense that God is light. We are one as we leave, as we love, we are loved; and we seek justice in God’s ways as we move together from this place.”
“O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing” (VU #326)
“O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King, the triumphs of God’s grace.
Jesus! the name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease;
‘Tis music in the sinner’s ears, ’tis life and health and peace.
He speaks, and listening to his voice, new life the dead receive,
The mounrful broken hearts rejoice, the humble poor believe.
Hear him, you deaf; you voiceless ones, your tongues again employ;
You blind, behold your Saviour comes, and leap, you lame, for joy!
My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad the honours of your name.”
Charles Wesley (1707-1788) wrote this hymn in 1739 to commemorate the first anniversary of his conversion to Christ. The stanza that begins “O for a thousand tongues to sing” is verse seven of Wesley’s original poem. Wesley’s original hymn had 18 stanzas celebrating the freedom gained through spiritual conversion. John Wesley created this five-stanza cento which he used as the opening hymn in his “Hymns for a People Called Methodist” (1780). It has maintained this pride of place in most Methodist hymnals since that time.
Charles Wesley wrote over 6,000 hymns. In addition to hymn writing, Charles and John founded the movement which became the Methodist denomination.
The melody AZMON, is by Carl Gotthelf Glaser (ca 1828). It is a German tune collected by Lowell Mason during his European tour in 1837. It was used as the setting for Wesley’s hymn in “Songs for a Gospel People” (1987).
“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. It was purchased for the Worship Choir in memory of choir member Audrey Lovelace.
“Your Work, O God, Needs Many Hands” (VU #537)
“Your work, O God, needs many hands to help you everywhere, and some there are who cannot serve unless our gifts we share.
Because we love you and your work, our offering now we make: be pleased to use it as your own, we ask for Jesus’ sake.”
Calvin Weiss Laufer was assistant editor for The Hymnal (1933) published by the Presbyterian Church in the United States. He wrote this text as an offertory hymn for Children. In 1969 it was revised to make it more general. The music was written by Neil Dougall, who was blinded and lost an arm in an accident at the age of nineteen. In spite of these setbacks, he lead an active musical life in Greenock, Scotland. The melody, KILMARNOCK, was first published in 1831.
“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 hearts, it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne.
Take my love: and I will pour at thy feet its treasure story; 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 anonymous tune is derived from the “Kyrie” of a mass long thought to have been composed by Mozart.
“May the Peace of God Be Your Peace” (MV #222)
“May the peace of God be your peace.
May the love of God be the love you show.
May the joy of God be the joy you know,
and may the world that God would see be found in you.“
This blessing is adapted for congregational use from a choral benediction by Neil McLaren (2001).
