Friday, September 30, 2005

The Last Two Sundays

The Last Two Sundays of September

It’s been a hectic month. I can’t believe September is over today. I’m behind in my blogging.
I just bought a copy of The John Rutter Collection with the Cambridge Singers and the City of London Sinfonia. Our choir sings a lot of Rutter anthems.

Here are the hymns from the last two weeks. Some of the hymns from both weeks seemed like funeral hymns to me, but they fit the scripture readings.

Readings for September 25, Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Exodus 17:1-7
Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16
Philippians 2:1-13
Matthew 21:23-32

Hymns for September 25

Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me

This very popular hymn was written by the Reverend Augustus Montague Toplady, and music by Thomas Hastings. The tune is actually called “Toplady”. The lyrics to the hymn were first published in The Gospel Magazine in 1775, with the music added in around 1830.

1. Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood,
from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure;
save from wrath and make me pure.

2. Not the labors of my hands
can fulfill thy law's commands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.

3. Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress;
helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly;
wash me, Savior, or I die.

4. While I draw this fleeting breath,
when mine eyes shall close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown,
see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.

At The Name Of Jesus Every Knee Shall Bow

Philippians 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

Words: Caroline M. Noel, The Name of Jesus, and Other Verses for the Sick and Lonely, 1870. Music: “Wye Valley,” James Mountain, 1876.

At the Name of Jesus, every knee shall bow,
Every tongue confess Him King of glory now;
’Tis the Father’s pleasure we should call Him Lord,
Who from the beginning was the mighty Word.

Mighty and mysterious in the highest height,
God from everlasting, very light of light:
In the Father’s bosom with the spirit blest,
Love, in love eternal, rest, in perfect rest.

At His voice creation sprang at once to sight,
All the angel faces, all the hosts of light,
Thrones and dominations, stars upon their way,
All the heavenly orders, in their great array.

Humbled for a season, to receive a name
From the lips of sinners unto whom He came,
Faithfully He bore it, spotless to the last,
Brought it back victorious when from death He passed.

Bore it up triumphant with its human light,
Through all ranks of creatures, to the central height,
To the throne of Godhead, to the Father’s breast;
Filled it with the glory of that perfect rest.

Name Him, brothers, name Him, with love strong as death
But with awe and wonder, and with bated breath!
He is God the Savior, He is Christ the Lord,
Ever to be worshipped, trusted and adored.

In your hearts enthrone Him; there let Him subdue
All that is not holy, all that is not true;
Crown Him as your Captain in temptation’s hour;
Let His will enfold you in its light and power.

Brothers, this Lord Jesus shall return again,
With His Father’s glory, with His angel train;
For all wreaths of empire meet upon His brow,
And our hearts confess Him King of glory now.

O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High
The text is a fifteenth century Latin hymn, translated by Benjamin Webb. The tune is called Deo Gracias, an English melody.

1. O love, how deep, how broad, how high,
it fills the heart with ecstasy,
that God, the Son of God, should take
our mortal form for mortals' sake!

2. For us baptized, for us he bore
his holy fast and hungered sore,
for us temptation sharp he knew;
for us the tempter overthrew.

3. For us he prayed; for us he taught;
for us his daily works he wrought;
by words and signs and actions thus
still seeking not himself, but us.

4. For us to evil power betrayed,
scourged, mocked, in purple robe arrayed,
he bore the shameful cross and death,
for us gave up his dying breath.

5. For us he rose from death again;
for us he went on high to reign;
for us he sent his Spirit here,
to guide, to strengthen, and to cheer.

6. All glory to our Lord and God
for love so deep, so high, so broad:
the Trinity whom we adore,


Readings for September 18, Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Exodus 16:2-15
Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45
Matthew 20:1-16

If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee

The text is by Georg Neumark, 1621-1681; translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1827-1878
The tune is Wer Nur den Lieben Gott by Georg Neumark.

1. If thou but suffer God to guide thee,
and hope in God through all thy ways,
God will give strength, whate'er betide thee,
and bear thee through the evil days.
Who trusts in God's unchanging love
builds on the rock that naught can move.

2. Only be still, and wait God's leisure
in cheerful hope, with heart content
to take whate'er thy Maker's pleasure
and all-discerning love hath sent;
we know our inmost wants are known,
for we are called to be God's own.

3. Sing, pray, and keep God's ways unswerving;
so do thine own part faithfully,
and trust God's word; though undeserving,
thou yet shalt find it true for thee.

God never yet forsook at need
the soul that trusted God indeed.


The Lone, Wild Bird

The text is by Hery Richard McFayden. There are two other stanzas by Marty Haugen that are still under copyright. The tune is called Prospect. It is from Walker's Southern Harmony, 1835.

1. The lone, wild bird in lofty flight
is still with you, nor leaves your sight.
And I am yours! I rest in you,
Great Spirit, come, rest in me, too.

2. The ends of earth are in your hand,
the sea's dark deep and far off land.
And I am yours! I rest in you,
Great Spirit, come, rest in me, too.

3. Each secret thought is known to you,
the path I walk my whole life through;
my days, my deeds, my hopes, my fears,
my deepest joys, my silent tears.


Abide with Me

The words are by Henry Francis Lyte, written in 1847. The tune is called Eventide by William Henry Monk.

Abide with me: fast falls the eventide;
the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide:
when other helpers fail and comforts flee,
help of the helpless, O abide with me.

I need thy presence every passing hour;
what but thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless;
ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's dark sting? where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if thou abide with me.

Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes;
shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies;
heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Monday, September 12, 2005

Horse and Rider Are Cast into the Sea

Hymns and readings for the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 11, 2005

Exodus 14:19-31
Psalm 114
Exodus 15:1b-11, 20-21
Romans 14:1-12
Matthew 18:21-35

The fourteenth and fifteenth chapters of Exodus tell the story of the parting of the Red Sea and the defeat of Pharoah's army. I like this modern praise song which is sung as a round.

The Horse and Rider

I will sing unto the Lord
for He has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and rider thrown into the sea...

The Lord my God,
My strength and song
Is now become my victory.

The Lord is God
And I will praise Him,
My father’s God, and I will exalt him.



Awake, Awake to Love and Work
This hymn was written by G.A. Studdert-Kennedy. The tune is called "Morning Song" and comes from Wyeth's Respository of Sacred Music, Part Second from 1813.

1
Awake, awake to love and work!
The lark is in the sky;
The fields are wet with diamond dew;
The worlds awake to cry
Their blessings on the Lord of life,
As He goes meekly by.

2
Come, let thy voice be one with theirs,
Shout with their shout of praise;
See how the giant sun soars up,
Great lord of years and days!
So let the love of Jesus come
And set thy soul ablaze.

3
To give and give, and give again,
What God hath given thee;
To spend thyself nor count the cost;
To serve right gloriously
The God who gave all worlds that are,
And all that are to be.
.

God of the Sparrow
This poem by Pastor Vajda has been published as a beautiful picture book. I couldn't find a MIDI file for the tune.
Tune: Carl F. Schalk, 1983
Lyrics: Jaroslav J. Vajda, 1983

1. God of the sparrow God of the whale
God of the swirling stars
How does the creature say Awe
How does the creature say Praise

2. God of the earthquake God of the storm
God of the trumpet blast
How does the creature cry Woe
How does the creature cry Save

3. God of the rainbow God of the cross
God of the empty grave
How does the creature say Grace
How does the creature say Thanks

4. God of the hungry God of the sick
God of the prodigal
How does the creature say Care
How does the creature say Life

5. God of the neighbor God of the foe
God of the pruning hook
How does the creature say Love
How does the creature say Peace

6. God of the ages God of the hand
God of the loving heart
How do your children say Joy
How do your children say Home

The Gospel reading was the story of the man who was forgiven his debts by the king, but would not forgive his debtors. This is a most perfect hymn for the reading.

Freely, Freely
by Carol Owens

Verse

God forgave my sin in Jesus' name,
I've been born again in Jesus' name;
And in Jesus' name I come to you
To share His love as He told me to:

Chorus

He said, "Freely, freely you have received,
Freely, freely give;
Go in my name and because you believe,
Others will know that I live."


All pow'r is givn' in Jesus' name,
In earth and heav'n in Jesus' name;
And in Jesus' name I come to you
To share His pow'r as He told me to:

Chorus

He said, "Freely, freely you have received,
Freely, freely give;
Go in my name and because you believe,
Others will know that I live."

Help Us Accept Each Other

Help us accept each other as Christ accepted us;
Teach us as sister, brother, each person to embrace.
Be present, God, among us, and bring us to believe
We are ourselves accepted and meant to love and live.


Teach us, O God, your lessons, as in our daily life
We struggle to be human and search for hope and faith.
Teach us to care for people, for all, not just for some,
To love them as we find them, or as they may become.


Let your acceptance change us, so that we may be moved
In living situations to do the truth in love;
To practice your acceptance, until we know by heart
The table of forgiveness and laughter's healing art.


God, for today's encounters with all who are in need,
Who hunger for acceptance, for righteousness and bread,
Bring us new eyes for seeing, new hands for holding on;
Renew us with your Spirit; God! Free us, make us one!

Sunday, September 04, 2005

Hymns for September 4

The readings for September 4, sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
Exodus 12:1-14
Psalm 149
Romans 13:8-14
Matthew 18:15-20

The connection between the readings and the hymns today were a bit hard to see, but I loved the hymns.

Soldiers of Christ, Arise

Soldiers of Christ, arise,
and put your armor on,
strong in the strength which God supplies
through his eternal Son;

Strong in the Lord of hosts,
and in his mighty power:
who in the strength of Jesus trusts
is more than conqueror.

Stand then in his great might,
with all his strength endured,
and take, to arm you for the fight,
the panoply of God.

From strength to strength go on,
wrestle and fight and pray:
tread all the powers of darkness down,
and win the well-fought day.

That, having all things done,
and all your conflicts past,
ye may obtain, through Christ alone,
a crown of joy at last.

Jesus, eternal Son,
we praise thee and adore,
who art with God the Father one,
and Spirit evermore.

The words are by Charles Wesley and based on Ephesians 6:13-18. The reading from Romans 13 was about putting on the "armor of light". The tune is Diademata by George J. Elvey.

I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
This hymn by Kathleen Thomerson is one of my ten favorite hymns. I love it when we get a chance to sing it.

I want to walk as a child of the Light
I want to follow Jesus
God set the stars to give light to the world
The Star of my life is Jesus.

In Him there is no darkness at all
The night and the day are both alike
The love is the Light of the city of God
Shine in my heart Lord Jesus.

I want to see the Brightness of God
I want to look at Jesus
Clear Son of righteousness shine on my path
And show me the way to the Father.

In Him there is no darkness at all
The night and the day are both alike
The love is the Light of the city of God
Shine in my heart Lord Jesus.

I'm looking for the coming of Christ.
I want to be with Jesus.
When we have run with patience the race,
We shall know the joy of Jesus.

In Him there is no darkness at all
The night and the day are both alike
The love is the Light of the city of God
Shine in my heart Lord Jesus.

I Come with Joyto Meet my Lord
I come with joy to meet my Lord,
forgiven, loved, and free,
in awe and wonder to recall
his life laid down for me.

I come with Christians far and near
to find, as all are fed,
the new community of love
in Christ's communion bread.

As Christ breaks bread and bids us share,
each proud division ends.
That love that made us makes us one,
and strangers now are friends.

And thus with joy we meet our Lord.
His presence, always near,
is in such friendship better known:
we see and praise him here.

Together met, together bound,
we'll go our different ways,
and as his people in the world,
we'll live and speak his praise.

Draw Us In The Spirits' Tether
This hymn was written by Percy Dearmerin 1931. It perfectly fit the Gospel reading for today. The music is the tune "Union Seminary by Harold Friedell.


Draw us in the Spirit's tether;
For when humbly, in thy name,
Two or three are met together,
Thou art in the midst of them:
Alleluya! Alleluya! Touch we now thy garment's hem.

As the faithful used to gather
In the name of Christ to sup,
Then with thanks to God the Father
Break the bread and bless the cup,
Alleluya! Alleluya! So knit thou our friendship up.

All our meals and all our living
Make as sacraments of thee,
That by caring, helping, giving,
We may true disciples be.
Alleluya! Alleluya! We will serve thee faithfully.

They'll Know We Are Christians
Oh those heady days of Vatican Two!. We held joint Vacation Bible School with the nearby Catholic church. We had church dinners and pageants together, and sand this hymn together a lot. It was good to sing it again this morning.

We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we'll guard each one's dignity and save each one's pride
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love