All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted

Here are the readings for October 30, twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost:
Joshua 3:7-17
Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Matthew 23:1-12

The first hymn for today was Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
The hymn was written by William Williams in 1745 and translated from the Welsh by Peter Williams in 1771. The hymn tune is "Cwm Rhondda" composed by John Hughes in 1907.

Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
pilgrim though this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
hold me with thy powerful hand;
Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,
feed me till I want no more,
feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain,
whence the healing stream doth flow;
let the fire and cloudy pillar
lead me all my journey through;
strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer.
be thou still my Strength and Shield,
be thou still my Strength and Shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan,
bid my anxious fears subside;
bear me through the swelling current,
land me safe on Canaan's side;
songs of praises, songs of praises,
I will ever give to thee,
I will ever give to thee.

The second hymn was one based on a folksong from Ghana that we sing a lot, Jesu, Jesu . Thomas S. Colvin wrote the words in 1969. The hymn tune is also by Colvin. It's called "Chereponi.
© 1969 and 1989 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. Used by permission.

Jesu, Jesu,Fill us with Your love,
show us how to serve
The neighbors we have from You.

Kneels at the feet of his friends,
Silently washes their feet,
Master who acts as a slave to them.
Jesu, Jesu,Fill us with Your love,
show us how to serve
The neighbors we have from You.

Neighbors are rich and poor,
Neighbors are black and white,
Neighbors are near and far away.
Jesu, Jesu,Fill us with Your love,
show us how to serve
The neighbors we have from You.

These are the ones we should serve,
These are the ones we should love;
All these are neighbors to us and You.
Jesu, Jesu,Fill us with Your love,
show us how to serve
The neighbors we have from You.

Loving puts us on our knees,
Serving as though we are slaves,
This is the way we should live with You.
Jesu, Jesu,Fill us with Your love,
show us how to serve
The neighbors we have from You.

Kneel at the feet of our friends,
Silently washing their feet,
This is the way we should live with You.
Jesu, Jesu,Fill us with Your love,
show us how to serve
The neighbors we have from You.

Our anthem was an interesting arrangement of the American folk hymn On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand.
The text is by Samuel Stennett (1727-1795).
The hymn tune is called Promised Land from that important book The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion by William Walker, first published in 1835. The University Press of Kentucky has published a fascimile of the book. Here's what their publisher's notes say about the work.

The Southern Harmony was the most popular tune book of the nineteenth century, containing 335 sacred songs, dominated by the folk hymns of oral tradition and written in the old four-shape notation that was for generations the foundation of musical teaching in rural America. Born in 1809 in South Carolina, William Walker grew up near Spartanburg and early became devoted to the Welsh Baptist Church of his ancestors and to the musical heritage that church had brought to early America. Walker became a singing master, and Southern Harmony was compiled for his students in hundreds of singing schools all over North and South Carolina and Georgia and in eastern Tennessee. Southern Harmony reached Kentucky in the company of music-loving pioneers, and today an annual singing in Benton, Kentucky, remains the only such occasion on which Southern Harmony is consistently the source of the music.

I really enjoyed singing the anthem. The amazing thing to me was that about half of the choir members did not know this familiar tune. The choir members who didn't know the tune were all Yankees. I guess The Southern Harmony never got too far north. Here are the original words. Our anthem left off the refrain, which I thought was a bit strange.

1. On Jordan's stormy banks I stand,
and cast a wishful eye
to Canaan's fair and happy land,
where my possessions lie.
Refrain:
I am bound for the promised land,
I am bound for the promised land;
oh, who will come and go with me?
I am bound for the promised land.

2. O'er all those wide extended plains
shines one eternal day;
there God the Son forever reigns,
and scatters night away.
(Refrain)

3. No chilling winds or poisonous breath
can reach that healthful shore;
sickness and sorrow, pain and death,
are felt and feared no more.
(Refrain)

4. When I shall reach that happy place,
I'll be forever blest,
for I shall see my Father's face,
and in his bosom rest.
(Refrain)

The final hymn was A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.
The hymn, of course, is by Martin Luther. The hymn tune is called "Ein' Feste Burg" which is just German for "A Mighty Fortress". The last Sunday in October used to be celebrated as Reformation Sunday, but churches don't seem to do that anymore. When I was growing up Reformation Sunday was a big deal in Louisville, with thousands attending an afternoon service at Freedom Hall at the fairgrounds with some famous preacher preaching.

This is a hymn that will be sung robustly even by those people in the congregation who hardly ever sing the hymns.

1. A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood
of mortal ills prevaling.
For still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

2. Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right man on our side,
the man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabbaoth, his name,
from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.

3. And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo, his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.

4. That word above all earthly powers,
no thanks to them, abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours,
thru him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill;
God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever.

Hymns for October 23, 2005

The readings for the twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost:

Deuteronomy 34:1-12
Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
Matthew 22:34-46

The readings included the story of the death of Moses in Deuteronomy 34 and the Gospel story of the Great Commandment. The sermon was based on the reading from Matthew.

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "`You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

Our first hymn was Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven
The words were written in 1834 by Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847). The tune also dates from 1834 and is called Lauda Anima. It is by John Goss (1800-1880)

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
To his feet thy tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Evermore his praises sing:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King.

Praise him for his grace and favor
To our fathers in distress;
Praise him still the same for ever,
Slow to chide and swift to bless:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Glorious in his faithfulness.

Father-like, he tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame he knows;
In his hand he gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Widely yet his mercy flows.

Angels in the heights adore him;
Ye behold him face to face;
Sun and moon, bow down before him,
Dwellers all in time and space.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace.

The second hymn was O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee

The text was written by Washington Gladden (1836-1918). The hymn tune is called Maryton by H. Percy Smith (1825-1898)

1. O Master, let me walk with thee
in lowly paths of service free;
tell me thy secret; help me bear
the strain of toil, the fret of care.

2. Help me the slow of heart to move
by some clear, winning word of love;
teach me the wayward feet to stay,
and guide them in the homeward way.

3. Teach me thy patience; still with thee
in closer, dearer company,
in work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
in trust that triumphs over wrong;

4. In hope that sends a shining ray
far down the future's broadening way,
in peace that only thou canst give,
with thee, O Master, let me live.

Our anthem was Make Spaces for Spirit by Carlton Young. It's a nice anthem with a flute and drum accompaniment. Unfortunately we didn't get a proper cue from the choir director, and the women came in a measure too late. So the congregation didn't hear the first phrase.

Makes spaces for Spirit! For energy rising,
For Pentecost presence, the wind and the fire,
A new kind of languauge, a voice and a vision
To shift and uplift us, to rouse and inspire.

Make spaces for action by spirited people;
The leader, the teacher, the healer of ill,
The builder, the artist, the bringer of laughter,
The melding and welding of spirit and will.

Make spaces for graces! The gifts of the Spirit,
The fruit of the garden where love is the spring,
The water of blessing, the incense of worship,
The wine poured for sharing, the hope that will sing.

Make spaces for Spirit! By changing of systems
By opening prisons, by debtors' release,
The flaming of courage, the firing of justice,
The Spirit of Jesus, the coming of peace.

Make spaces for Spirit! Make spaces for action!
Make spaces for graces! Make spaces for Spirit!

The closing hymn was Where Charity and Love Prevail
The text is based on the ninth century Latin Ubi Caritas; translated by Omer Westendorf. The hymn tune is St. Peter by Alexander R. Reinagle. This is the tune we also use for In Christ There Is No East Nor West.

Where charity and love prevail
There God is ever found
Brought here together by Christ’s love
By love are we thus bound.

With grateful joy and holy fear
God's charity we learn
Let us with heart and mind and soul
Now love God in return.

Let us recall that in our midst
Dwell's Christ, God's Holty Son.
As members of each body joined
In Him we are made one.

We now forgive each other's faults
As we our own confess,
That we may love each other well
In Christian gentleness.

Render unto Caesar

Here are the readings for October 16, 2005, the twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost.
The Gospel reading is the story of the questioning of Jesus by the Pharisees and Herodians. Christ answered "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." or as the Authorized Version words it, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and unto God the things that are God's"

Exodus 33:12-23
Psalm 99
Isaiah 45:1-7
Psalm 96:1-9, (10-13)
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Matthew 22:15-22

The opening hymn today was Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above written by Johann J. Schutz and translated by Frances E. Cox. The tune is Mit Freuden Zart from Bohemian Bretheren's Kirchengasange harmonized by Maurice F. Bell

1. Sing praise to God who reigns above,
the God of all creation,
the God of power, the God of love,
the God of our salvation.
With healing balm my soul is filled
and every faithless murmur stilled:
To God all praise and glory.

2. The Lord is never far away,
but through all grief distressing,
an ever present help and stay,
our peace and joy and blessing.
As with a mother's tender hand,
God gently leads the chosen band:
To God all praise and glory.

3. Thus all my toilsome way along,
I sing aloud thy praises,
that earth may hear the grateful song
my voice unwearied raises.
Be joyful in the Lord, my heart,
both soul and body bear your part:
To God all praise and glory.

4. Let all who name Christ's holy name
give God all praise and glory;
let all who own his power proclaim
aloud the wondrous story!
Cast each false idol from its throne,
for Christ is Lord, and Christ alone:
To God all praise and glory.


Take My Life and Let It Be by Frances R. Havergal. The tune is called Messiah by Louis J. Herold.

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to 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 beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
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 heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.


The closing hymn was one of my favorites:

Lord of the Dance written by Sydney Carter in 1963. The tune is a a much loved 19th century Shaker tune.

I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
And I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth,
At Bethlehem I had my birth.

Refrain

Dance, then, wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he.
And I’ll lead you all wherever you may be,
And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.

I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee,
But they would not dance and they would not follow me;
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John;
They came to me and the dance went on.

Refrain

I danced on the sabbath when I cured the lame,
The holy people said it was a shame;
They whipped and they stripped and they hung me high;
And they left me there on a cross to die.

Refrain

I danced on a Friday and the sky turned black;
It’s hard to dance with the devil on your back;
They buried my body and they thought I’d gone,
But I am the dance and I still go on.

Refrain

They cut me down and I leapt up high,
I am the life that’ll never, never die;
I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me;
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he.

Refrain

Our anthem was Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation which we sang as a congregational hymn on October 2. That was sort of odd, but it was wonderful.

Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost

Here are the readings for October 9.

Exodus 32:1-14
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
Philippians 4:1-9
Matthew 22:1-14


Our anthem was Rejoice in the Lord Alway by Henry Purcell.
It's perfect for the Epistle reading for the day. The web link takes you to a fabulous recording by the Deller Consort. We didn't sound at all as good, but we did ok.


Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, rejoice.
Let your moderation be known unto all men.
The Lord is at hand.
Be careful for nothing;
but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Since the sermon and Gospel reading were about repentence the hymns were about repentence. I like them all.

Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy

The words are by Joseph Hart, Hymns Composed on Various Subjects, 1759,
The hymn tune is called "Restoration,” from The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, by William Walker, 1835

Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love and power.

Refrain

I will arise and go to Jesus,
He will embrace me in His arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms.

Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome,
God’s free bounty glorify;
True belief and true repentance,
Every grace that brings you nigh.

Refrain

Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
Lost and ruined by the fall;
If you tarry till you’re better,
You will never come at all.

Refrain

View Him prostrate in the garden;
On the ground your Maker lies.
On the bloody tree behold Him;
Sinner, will this not suffice?

Refrain

Lo! th’incarnate God ascended,
Pleads the merit of His blood:
Venture on Him, venture wholly,
Let no other trust intrude.

Refrain

Let not conscience make you linger,
Not of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness He requireth
Is to feel your need of Him.

Refrain

It's Me, It's Me, It's Me, O Lord
by Harry Thacker Burleigh

It's a me, It's A Me, O Lord,
Standin' in the need of prayer. Not my brother, Not my sister
It's A Me O Lord, Standin' in the need of prayer.

It's a me,It's A Me, O Lord,
Standin' in the need of prayer.
Not my father,Not my mother,It's A Me O Lord,
Standin' in the need of prayer. :


O, Jesus I Have Promised

The text is by John Ernest Bode. Bode wrote the words for his daughter’s and two sons’ confirmation service. At the time, Bode was a pastor in Castle Camps parish, Cambridgeshire, England. It was published in the appendix of Psalms and Hymns of the Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge, 1869.

The hymn tune is “Angel’s Story,” Arthur H. Mann, in The Methodist Sunday School Hymn­book (London: 1881)

O Jesus, I have promised
to serve thee to the end:
be thou ever near me,
my Master and my friend;
I shall not fear the battle
if thou art by my side,
nor wander from the pathway
if thou wilt be my guide.

O let me feel thee near me!
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
the tempting sounds I hear;
my foes are ever near me,
around me and within;
but Jesus, draw thou nearer,
and shield my soul from sin.

O let me hear thee speaking
in accents clear and still,
above the storms of passion,
the murmurs of self-will;
O speak to reassure me,
to hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen,
thou guardian of my soul.

O let me see thy features,
the look that once could make
so many a true disciple
leave all things for thy sake:
the look that beamed on Peter
when he thy name denied;
the look that draws thy lovers
close to thy piercèd side.

O Jesus, thou hast promised
to all who follow thee,
that where thou art in glory
there shall thy servant be;
and, Jesus I have promised
to serve thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow,
my Master and my friend.

O let me see thy footmarks,
and in them plant mine own;
My hope to follow duly
is in thy strength alone.
O guide me, call me, draw me,
uphold me to the end;
and then in heaven receive me,
my Savior and my Friend.

Hymns for October 2, 2005

Here are the readings for October 2, twentieth Sunday after Pentecost and World Communion Sunday. We had several altar cloths on the altar today, folk art from many countries.

Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
Psalm 19
Isaiah 5:1-7
Philippians 3:4b-14
Matthew 21:33-46

It was a great Sunday for hymns. I really like the hymns today.

The Church's One Foundation

The hymn is by Samuel J. Stone. The tune is Aurelia by Samuel Sebastian Wesley. This composer of many hymn tunes was the grandson of Charles Wesley.

1. The church's one foundation
is Jesus Christ her Lord;
she is his new creation
by water and the Word.
From heaven he came and sought her
to be his holy bride;
with his own blood he bought her,
and for her life he died.

2. Elect from every nation,
yet one o'er all the earth;
her charter of salvation,
one Lord, one faith, one birth;
one holy name she blesses,
partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses,
with every grace endued.

3. Though with a scornful wonder
we see her sore oppressed,
by schisms rent asunder,
by heresies distressed,
yet saints their watch are keeping;
their cry goes up, "How long?"
And soon the night of weeping
shall be the morn of song.

4. Mid toil and tribulation,
and tumult of her war,
she waits the consummation
of peace forevermore;
till, with the vision glorious,
her longing eyes are blest,
and the great church victorious
shall be the church at rest.

5. Yet she on earth hath union
with God the Three in One,
and mystic sweet communion
with those whose rest is won.
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
like them, the meek and lowly,
on high may dwell with thee.

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

The hymn is by Isaac Watts, written about 1707. The tune is Hamburg by Lowell Mason and dates from 1824.

1. When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of Glory died;
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.

2. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
save in the death of Christ, my God;
all the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.

3. See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown.

4. Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were an offering far too small;
love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.


As the Bread of Life Is Broken

This was our choir anthem today. It is by James Chepponis. The hymn tune is Thaxted. It is the C theme from Jupiter of The Planets.


As the bread of life is broken,
the cup of love outpoured,
we are one in Christ, our Savior,
and sent to serve the Lord.
We, the many who are gathered,
are united here as one.
In this joyful celebration,
recall what God has done.

As the bread of life is broken,
the cup of love outpoured,
we are one in Christ, our Savior,
and sent to serve the Lord.
In the word of God proclaimed here,
the good news of truth is heard.
In the telling of the stories,
be open to God’s word.

As the bread of life is broken,
the cup of love outpoured,
we are one in Christ, our Savior,
and sent to serve the Lord.
In the bread of life here given,
we become what we receive.
In the cup of love here offered,
affirm what we believe.

As the bread of life is broken,
the cup of love outpoured,
we are one in Christ, our Savior,
and sent to serve the Lord.
Sent as blessing for God’s people,
to go forth in love and peace,
in our witness to God’s kingdom,
may charity increase.

As the bread of life is broken,
the cup of love outpoured,
we are one in Christ, our Savior,
and sent to serve the Lord.

Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation Theis seventh century Latin hymn was translated by John Mason Neale in the early nineteenth century. The hymn tune is Westminster Abbey by Henry Purcell. I've also sung this hymn to Regent Square, the hymn tune that is usually associated with the hymn Angels from the Realms of Glory.


1. Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the head and cornerstone;
chosen of the Lord and precious,
binding all the church in one;
holy Zion's help forever,
and her confidence alone.

2. To this temple, where we call thee,
come, O Lord of Hosts, today!
With thy faithful loving-kindness
hear thy people as they pray,
and thy fullest benediction
shed within its walls alway.

3. Here vouchsafe to all thy servants
what they ask of thee to gain;
what they gain from thee forever
with the blessed to retain,
and hereafter in thy glory
evermore with thee to reign.

4. Laud and honor to the Father,
laud and honor to the Son,
laud and honor to the Spirit,
ever three and ever one;
one in might and one in glory,
while unending ages run.