The Readings for August 28 were
Exodus 1:8-2:10
Psalm 124
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20
What a great Sunday! All of the readings, hymns, sermon and anthem fit together so well you couldn't miss the significance of each part. Larry preached from the Old Testament reading about Moses and the Burning Bush. Our anthem was Moses by Ken Medema. Here's an Interesting commentary on this anthem.
The first hymn was The God of Abraham Praise. The words are from the Yigdal by Daniel ben Judah, circa 1400. The lyrics are based on the thirteen creeds of Moses Maimonides. The words were paraphrased in 1775 by Thomas Olivers. The melody is Leoni from Sacred Harmony, 1780. WHen I was in ninth grade my dad did a fifteen minute sermonette on television in Paducah, Kentucky. He asked a quartet from our church choir sing on his program. This is the first hymn we sang for the program. My first time on television. It was very exciting.
Here are all of the verses. We don't sing them all.
The God of Abraham praise,
who reigns enthroned above;
Ancient of everlasting days,
and God of love;
Jehovah, great I AM,
by earth and heaven confessed:
I bow and bless the sacred Name
for ever blessed.
The God of Abraham praise,
at whose supreme command
from earth we rise, and seek the joys
at his right hand;
we all on earth forsake,
its wisdom, fame and power;
and him our only portion make,
our Shield and Tower.
The goodly land we see,
with peace and plenty blessed:
a land of sacred liberty
and endless rest;
there milk and honey flow,
and oil and wine abound,
and trees of life for ever grow,
with mercy crowned.
There dwells the Lord, our King,
the Lord, our Righteousness,
triumphant o'er the world and sin,
the Prince of Peace;
on Zion's sacred height
his kingdom he maintains,
and, glorious with his saints in light,
for ever reigns.
The God who reigns on high,
the great archangels sing,
and "Holy, holy, holy," cry,
"Almighty King!"
Who was and is the same,
and evermore shall be:
Jehovah, Father, great I AM,
we worship thee."
The whole triumphant host
give thanks to God on high;
"Hail, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost"
they ever cry;
hail, Abraham's God and mine;
I join the heavenly lays;
all might and majesty are thine,
and endless praise!
The second hymn was Go Down, Moses
Exodus 8:1"And the LORD spake unto Moses, go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him,thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me."
When Israel was in Egypt’s land, Let My people go;
Oppressed so hard they could not stand, Let My people go;
Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt’s land,
Tell old Pharaoh: Let My people go.
The Lord told Moses what to do, Let My people go;
To lead the children of Israel through, Let My people go.
Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt’s land,
Tell old Pharaoh: Let My people go.
The pillar of cloud shall clear the way, Let My people go;
A fire by night, a shade by day, Let My people go.
Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt’s land,
Tell old Pharaoh: Let My people go.
As Israel stood by the water-side, Let My people go;
At God’s command it did divide, Let My people go.
Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt’s land,
Tell old Pharaoh: Let My people go.
When they had reached the other shore, Let My people go;
They dang the song of triumph over, Let My people go.
Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt’s land,
Tell old Pharaoh: Let My people go.
Oh, let us all from bondage flee, Let My people go;
And let us all in Christ be free, Let My people go.
Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt’s land,
Tell old Pharaoh: Let My people go.
The third hymn was Where He Leads Me I Will Follow . The words are by Ernest W. Blandly and the music is by John S. Norris. Both date from 1890. This isn't a hymn that I'm usually thrilled to sing, but this week it just fit perfectly with everything else in the service, so I really enjoyed it.
I can hear my Savior calling,
I can hear my Savior calling,
I can hear my Savior calling,
“Take thy cross and follow, follow Me.”
Refrain
Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow;
I’ll go with Him, with Him, all the way.
I’ll go with Him through the garden,
I’ll go with Him through the garden,
I’ll go with Him through the garden,
I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way.
Refrain
I’ll go with Him through the judgment,
I’ll go with Him through the judgment,
I’ll go with Him through the judgment,
I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way.
Refrain
He will give me grace and glory,
He will give me grace and glory,
He will give me grace and glory,
And go with me, with me all the way.
Refrain
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Hymns from August 21
Readings for August 21
Exodus 1:8-2:10
Psalm 124
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20
"Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph." Every time I hear that verse from Exodus 1 I think about my father. He remained active in the church after he "retired". Since he had been involved in the administration of the annual conference for many years he expected to have influence after he retired. And he did, until a new bishop was sent to Kentucky, a bishop who had never worked with Daddy. Oh yes, it was interesting. As the verse says, " Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph."
Hymns for the week:
A Mother Lined Her Basket
On Eagle's Wings
Written by Michael Joncas
You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
Who abide in His shadow for life,
Say to the Lord, "My Refuge,
My Rock in Whom I trust."
Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
And famine will bring you no fear;
Under His Wings your refuge,
His faithfulness your shield.
Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
You need not fear the terror of the night,
Nor the arrow that flies by day,
Though thousands fall about you,
Near you it shall not come.
Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
For to His angels He's given a command,
To guard you in all of your ways,
Upon their hands they will bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
Lord Whose Love Through Humble Service
Christ for the World We Sing
Text: Samuel Wolcott, 1813-1886 Music: Felice de Giardini, 1716-1796 Tune: ITALIAN HYMN
Christ for the world we sing,
The world to Christ we bring,
with loving zeal,
The poor and them that mourn,
the faint and overborne,
Sin sick and sorrow worn,
whom Christ doth heal.
Christ for the world we sing,
The world to Christ we bring,
with fervent prayer;
The wayward and the lost,
by restless passions tossed,
Redeemed at countless cost,
from dark despair.
Christ for the world we sing,
The world to Christ we bring,
with one accord;
With us the work to share,
with us reproach to dare,
With us the cross to bear,
for Christ our Lord.
Christ for the world we sing,
The world to Christ we bring,
with joyful song;T
The newborn souls, whose days,
reclaimed from error’s ways,
Inspired with hope and praise,
to Christ belong.
Exodus 1:8-2:10
Psalm 124
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20
"Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph." Every time I hear that verse from Exodus 1 I think about my father. He remained active in the church after he "retired". Since he had been involved in the administration of the annual conference for many years he expected to have influence after he retired. And he did, until a new bishop was sent to Kentucky, a bishop who had never worked with Daddy. Oh yes, it was interesting. As the verse says, " Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph."
Hymns for the week:
A Mother Lined Her Basket
On Eagle's Wings
Written by Michael Joncas
You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
Who abide in His shadow for life,
Say to the Lord, "My Refuge,
My Rock in Whom I trust."
Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
And famine will bring you no fear;
Under His Wings your refuge,
His faithfulness your shield.
Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
You need not fear the terror of the night,
Nor the arrow that flies by day,
Though thousands fall about you,
Near you it shall not come.
Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
For to His angels He's given a command,
To guard you in all of your ways,
Upon their hands they will bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Refrain
And He will raise you up on eagle's wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.
Lord Whose Love Through Humble Service
Christ for the World We Sing
Text: Samuel Wolcott, 1813-1886 Music: Felice de Giardini, 1716-1796 Tune: ITALIAN HYMN
Christ for the world we sing,
The world to Christ we bring,
with loving zeal,
The poor and them that mourn,
the faint and overborne,
Sin sick and sorrow worn,
whom Christ doth heal.
Christ for the world we sing,
The world to Christ we bring,
with fervent prayer;
The wayward and the lost,
by restless passions tossed,
Redeemed at countless cost,
from dark despair.
Christ for the world we sing,
The world to Christ we bring,
with one accord;
With us the work to share,
with us reproach to dare,
With us the cross to bear,
for Christ our Lord.
Christ for the world we sing,
The world to Christ we bring,
with joyful song;T
The newborn souls, whose days,
reclaimed from error’s ways,
Inspired with hope and praise,
to Christ belong.
Monday, August 22, 2005
Catching Up on Two Weeks of Hymns
These are the readings for August 14
Genesis 45:1-15
Psalm 133
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28
One of the hymns for this day is a favorite by Brian Wren. Although it could be described as an Easter hymn it is very fitting for the reading from Genesis, which is the story of Joseph's reconciliation with his brothers.
This Is a Day of New Beginnings
This is a day of new beginnings,
time to remember and move on,
time to believe what love is bringing,
laying to rest the pain that's gone.
For by the life and death of Jesus
,love's mighty Spirit, now as then,
can make for us a world of difference,
as faith and hope are born again.
Then let us, with the Spirit's daring,
step from the past and leave behind
our disappointment, guilt, and grieving,
seeking new paths, and sure to find.
Christ is alive, and goes before us
to show and share what love can do.
This is a day of new beginnings;
our God is making all things new.
-Brian Wren, 1978
In Christ There Is No East Or West
The hymn is by William Dunkerley, written for the Pageant of Darkness and Light at the London Missionary Society’s exhibition “The Orient in London,” which ran from 1908 to 1914. Many hymnals credit the words to John Oxenham, Dunkerley’s pseudonym. The hymn tune is St. Peter by Alexander Reinagle. This is one of my all time favorite hymns.
In Christ there is no East or West,
in him no South or North,
but one great fellowship of love
throughout the whole wide earth.
In him shall true hearts everywhere
their high communion find,
his service is the golden cord
close-binding all mankind.
Join hands, disciples of the faith,
whate'er your race may be!
Who serves my Father as a son
is surely kin to me.
In Christ now meet both East and West,
in him meet South and North,
all Christly souls are one in him,
throughout the whole wide earth.
Ok. The next hymn listing is strange and sad. It is Ubi Caritas or "Where Love and Charity Prevail" It is a Taize Community hymn. It fits the readings for August 14. On August 16, 2005 Brother Roger, founder of the ecumenical Taizé Community, was murdered. How very sad. Why would anyone want to kill Brother Roger? I think the newspaper said the woman was deranged, but I haven't read why she focused on this good old man.
The text is Latin from the ninth century. The modern chant and tune are by Jacques Berthier and the Taize Community.
Live in charity and steadfast love,
live in charity; God will dwell with you.
(Latin)
Ubi caritas et amor,
ubi caritas Deus ibi est.
We usually alternate Latin and English. The choir has some descants and harmonies that enrich the hymn while the congregation repeats the chant.
My Faith Looks Up to Thee
Text: Ray Palmer, 1808-1887
Music: Lowell Mason, 1792-1872 Tune: Olivet
My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away,
O let me from this day be wholly Thine!
May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart, my zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me, O may my love to Thee,
Pure warm, and changeless be, a living fire!
While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread, be Thou my Guide;
Bid darkness turn to day, wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray from Thee aside.
When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold sullen stream over me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love, fear and distrust remove;
O bear me safe above, a ransomed soul!
Genesis 45:1-15
Psalm 133
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28
One of the hymns for this day is a favorite by Brian Wren. Although it could be described as an Easter hymn it is very fitting for the reading from Genesis, which is the story of Joseph's reconciliation with his brothers.
This Is a Day of New Beginnings
This is a day of new beginnings,
time to remember and move on,
time to believe what love is bringing,
laying to rest the pain that's gone.
For by the life and death of Jesus
,love's mighty Spirit, now as then,
can make for us a world of difference,
as faith and hope are born again.
Then let us, with the Spirit's daring,
step from the past and leave behind
our disappointment, guilt, and grieving,
seeking new paths, and sure to find.
Christ is alive, and goes before us
to show and share what love can do.
This is a day of new beginnings;
our God is making all things new.
-Brian Wren, 1978
In Christ There Is No East Or West
The hymn is by William Dunkerley, written for the Pageant of Darkness and Light at the London Missionary Society’s exhibition “The Orient in London,” which ran from 1908 to 1914. Many hymnals credit the words to John Oxenham, Dunkerley’s pseudonym. The hymn tune is St. Peter by Alexander Reinagle. This is one of my all time favorite hymns.
In Christ there is no East or West,
in him no South or North,
but one great fellowship of love
throughout the whole wide earth.
In him shall true hearts everywhere
their high communion find,
his service is the golden cord
close-binding all mankind.
Join hands, disciples of the faith,
whate'er your race may be!
Who serves my Father as a son
is surely kin to me.
In Christ now meet both East and West,
in him meet South and North,
all Christly souls are one in him,
throughout the whole wide earth.
Ok. The next hymn listing is strange and sad. It is Ubi Caritas or "Where Love and Charity Prevail" It is a Taize Community hymn. It fits the readings for August 14. On August 16, 2005 Brother Roger, founder of the ecumenical Taizé Community, was murdered. How very sad. Why would anyone want to kill Brother Roger? I think the newspaper said the woman was deranged, but I haven't read why she focused on this good old man.
The text is Latin from the ninth century. The modern chant and tune are by Jacques Berthier and the Taize Community.
Live in charity and steadfast love,
live in charity; God will dwell with you.
(Latin)
Ubi caritas et amor,
ubi caritas Deus ibi est.
We usually alternate Latin and English. The choir has some descants and harmonies that enrich the hymn while the congregation repeats the chant.
My Faith Looks Up to Thee
Text: Ray Palmer, 1808-1887
Music: Lowell Mason, 1792-1872 Tune: Olivet
My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away,
O let me from this day be wholly Thine!
May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart, my zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me, O may my love to Thee,
Pure warm, and changeless be, a living fire!
While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread, be Thou my Guide;
Bid darkness turn to day, wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray from Thee aside.
When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold sullen stream over me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love, fear and distrust remove;
O bear me safe above, a ransomed soul!
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Here I Am, Lord
Here I Am Lord
Words and Music are by Daniel L. Schutte, copyright 1981. Mr. Schutte's Web site is at http://www.danschutte.com/main.htm
Today none of the hymns matched the readings for the day. Our anthem was a choral arrangement of one of the most popular of “modern” hymns. Catholics and Protestants of every kind seem to have this in their hymnbooks. It’s one of those hymns that will make the charismatics in your congregation raise their hands as they sing. It’s also one of those hymns that will make you cry. If you’re afraid of weeping and wallowing in religious sentimentality just think of this – the tune is very similar to the theme from “The Brady Bunch”. Ok, I hope I didn’t spoil it for you. It’s a wonderful hymn. I have a link to the tune at the end. I don’t understand MIDI files, but I appreciate those who have put them on the Internet for us.
1. I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save.
Chorus
Here am I, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
2. I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Chorus
3. I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
Chorus
4. I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my words to them.
Whom shall I send?
Chorus
5. I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will send the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Chorus
6. Finest bread I will provide,
'Til their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?
Chorus
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~sorem002/here_i_am_lord.mid
Isn’t that wonderful? Well done, Daniel Shutte.
Our opening hymn today was God Hath Spoken by His Prophets. The hymn is by George Wallace Briggs.
God has spoken by His prophets,
Spoken His unchanging Word,
Each from age to age proclaiming
God, the one, the righteous Lord.
Mid the world's despair and turmoil,
One firm anchor holding fast;
God is King, His throne eternal,
God the first, and God the last.
2God has spoken by Christ Jesus,
Christ, the everlasting Son,
Brightness of the Father's glory,
With the Father ever one;
Spoken by the Word incarnate,
God of God, ere time began,
Light of light, to earth descending,
Man, revealing God to man.
3God yet speaks by His own Spirit
Speaking to the hearts of men,
In the age-long Word expounding
God's own message, now as then;
Through the rise and fall of nations
One sure faith yet standing fast,
God is King, His Word unchanging,
God the first, and God the last.
This is sung to the hymn tune “Ebenezer” by Thomas John Williams. In the last edition of The Methodist Hymnal this tune was used with Once to Every Man and Nation, a poem by James Russell Lowell. It’s a stirring hymn that I wish had made it to the new United Methodist Hymnal. I guess “By the Light of burning Martyrs” wasn’t PC enough for the hymnal committee. There were tremendous fights about our new hymnal. There was insistence on “inclusive” language. Inclusive language is a good idea, except sometimes it means either butchering or ignoring some wonderful old hymns. Here are the words. Play the midi file and sing along.
Once to every man and nation,
comes the moment to decide,
in the strife of truth with falsehood,
for the good or evil side;
some great cause, some great decision,
offering each the bloom or blight,
and the choice goes by forever,
'twixt that darkness and that light.
Then to side with truth is noble,
when we share her wretched crust,
ere her cause bring fame and profit,
and 'tis prosperous to be just;
then it is the brave man chooses
while the coward stands aside,
till the multitude make virtue
of the faith they had denied.
By the light of burning martyrs,
Christ, thy bleeding feet we track,
toiling up new Calvaries ever
with the cross that turns not back;
new occasions teach new duties,
ancient values test our youth;
they must upward still and onward,
who would keep abreast of truth.
Though the cause of evil prosper,
yet the truth alone is strong;
though her portion be the scaffold,
and upon the throne be wrong;
yet that scaffold sways the future,
and behind the dim unknown,
standeth God within the shadow,
keeping watch above his own.
Ebenezer
Words and Music are by Daniel L. Schutte, copyright 1981. Mr. Schutte's Web site is at http://www.danschutte.com/main.htm
Today none of the hymns matched the readings for the day. Our anthem was a choral arrangement of one of the most popular of “modern” hymns. Catholics and Protestants of every kind seem to have this in their hymnbooks. It’s one of those hymns that will make the charismatics in your congregation raise their hands as they sing. It’s also one of those hymns that will make you cry. If you’re afraid of weeping and wallowing in religious sentimentality just think of this – the tune is very similar to the theme from “The Brady Bunch”. Ok, I hope I didn’t spoil it for you. It’s a wonderful hymn. I have a link to the tune at the end. I don’t understand MIDI files, but I appreciate those who have put them on the Internet for us.
1. I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save.
Chorus
Here am I, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
2. I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Chorus
3. I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
Chorus
4. I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my words to them.
Whom shall I send?
Chorus
5. I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will send the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Chorus
6. Finest bread I will provide,
'Til their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?
Chorus
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~sorem002/here_i_am_lord.mid
Isn’t that wonderful? Well done, Daniel Shutte.
Our opening hymn today was God Hath Spoken by His Prophets. The hymn is by George Wallace Briggs.
God has spoken by His prophets,
Spoken His unchanging Word,
Each from age to age proclaiming
God, the one, the righteous Lord.
Mid the world's despair and turmoil,
One firm anchor holding fast;
God is King, His throne eternal,
God the first, and God the last.
2God has spoken by Christ Jesus,
Christ, the everlasting Son,
Brightness of the Father's glory,
With the Father ever one;
Spoken by the Word incarnate,
God of God, ere time began,
Light of light, to earth descending,
Man, revealing God to man.
3God yet speaks by His own Spirit
Speaking to the hearts of men,
In the age-long Word expounding
God's own message, now as then;
Through the rise and fall of nations
One sure faith yet standing fast,
God is King, His Word unchanging,
God the first, and God the last.
This is sung to the hymn tune “Ebenezer” by Thomas John Williams. In the last edition of The Methodist Hymnal this tune was used with Once to Every Man and Nation, a poem by James Russell Lowell. It’s a stirring hymn that I wish had made it to the new United Methodist Hymnal. I guess “By the Light of burning Martyrs” wasn’t PC enough for the hymnal committee. There were tremendous fights about our new hymnal. There was insistence on “inclusive” language. Inclusive language is a good idea, except sometimes it means either butchering or ignoring some wonderful old hymns. Here are the words. Play the midi file and sing along.
Once to every man and nation,
comes the moment to decide,
in the strife of truth with falsehood,
for the good or evil side;
some great cause, some great decision,
offering each the bloom or blight,
and the choice goes by forever,
'twixt that darkness and that light.
Then to side with truth is noble,
when we share her wretched crust,
ere her cause bring fame and profit,
and 'tis prosperous to be just;
then it is the brave man chooses
while the coward stands aside,
till the multitude make virtue
of the faith they had denied.
By the light of burning martyrs,
Christ, thy bleeding feet we track,
toiling up new Calvaries ever
with the cross that turns not back;
new occasions teach new duties,
ancient values test our youth;
they must upward still and onward,
who would keep abreast of truth.
Though the cause of evil prosper,
yet the truth alone is strong;
though her portion be the scaffold,
and upon the throne be wrong;
yet that scaffold sways the future,
and behind the dim unknown,
standeth God within the shadow,
keeping watch above his own.
Ebenezer
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