Notes on the Notes – Sept. 2, 2018
This week’s readings:
Song of Solomon 2:8-13, Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
This week’s music:
“We are One” (VU #402)
The tune for this hymn was composed in 1987 by Jeeva Sam of Regina, SK, a United Church minister. The arrangement is by another United Church minister, David Kai, of Gloucester Ontario (1995) . Written especially for the music, the hymn text comes to us from a third United Church minister, Doreen Lankshear-Smith of Thunder Bay. 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 feast, as we feast, peace becomes the sign;
In the bread and the wine there’s a sense of love divine.
We are one as we come, as we feed, we are fed;
And we feel God’s refreshing grace as we meet at table 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.”
Hear the tune at: https://youtu.be/g6BldTHfcz4
“Holy Spirit, Hear Us” (VU #377)
This hymn, with words by William H. Parker and music by James Frederick Swift, was first published in The School Hymnal (1880) by the General Baptist Association in England.
“Holy Spirit! hear us; help us while we sing;
Breathe into the music of the praise we bring.
Holy Spirit! shine now on the book we read;
Light its holy pages with the truth we need.
Holy Spirit! prompt us when we bow to pray;
Speak within and teach us what we ought to say.
Holy Spirit! help us daily by your might,
What is wrong to conquer and to choose the right.”
Hear the hymn played on piano at: https://youtu.be/um_VBREPbmc
“Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ” (VU #468)
“Let us talents and tongues employ,
Reaching out with a shout of joy:
Bread is broken, the wine is poured,
Christ is spoken and seen and heard.
Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again,
Pass the Word around:
Loaves abound!
Christ is able to make us one,
At the table he sets the tone,
Teaching people to live to bless,
Love in word and in deed express.
Jesus calls us in, sends us out,
Bearing fruit in a world of doubt,
Gives us love to tell, bread to share:
God (Immanuel) everywhere!
Jesus lives again…”
This hymn is entitled “Communion Calypso” in Break Not the Circle (1975), a collection of songs prepared by Fred Kaan and Doreen Potter. The music is an arrangement of a Jamaican folk song.
Hear a choral arrangement of the hymn at: https://youtu.be/HJdSjR7VA6Q
Hear the hymn sung in worship at Strathroy United at: https://youtu.be/JPepGhMD3CQ
You must be logged in to post a comment.