Whom Shall I Send?

The Readings for the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany were:
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
1 Corinthians 8:1b-13
Mark 1:21-28
Psalm 111
Our introit hymn was Silence, Frenzied Unclean Spirit by Thomas H. Troeger. The hymn tune is Authority by Carol Doran.
"Silence! Frenzied, unclean spirit,"
cried God's healing Holy One.
"Cease your ranting! Flesh can't bear it.
Flee as night before the sun."
At Christ's voice the demon trembled,
from its victim madly rushed,
while the crowd that was assembled
stood in wonder, stunned and hushed.

Lord, the demons still are thriving
in the gray cells of the mind:
tyrant voices, shrill and driving,
twisted thoughts that grip and bind,
doubts that stir the heart to panic,
fears distorting reason's sight,guilt that makes our loving frantic,
dreams that cloud the soul with fright.

Silence, Lord, the unclean spirit
In our mind and in our heart
Speak your word that when we hear it,
All our demons shall depart.
Clear out thought and calm our feeling;
Still the fractured, warring soul.
By the power of your healing,
Make us faithful, true, and whole

The first hymn was All Creatures of Our God and King, a paraphrase of Canticle of the Sun by St. Francis of Assisi. The hymn tune is Lasst Uns Erfreuen, a 17th century German hymn tune, harmonized in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

All creatures of our God and King, lift up your voices, let us sing:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beams, thou silver moon that gently gleams,
Refrain:
O praise him, O praise him, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Thou rushing wind that art so strong, ye clouds that sail in heaven along,
O praise him, Alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice, ye lights of evening, find a voice, (R)

Thou flowing water, pure and clear,make music for thy Lord to hear,
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright, that givest man both warmth and light, (R)

Dear mother earth, who day by day unfoldest blessings on our way,
O praise him, Alleluia!
The flowers and fruits that in thee grow, let them his glory also show: (R)

And all ye men of tender heart, forgiving others, take your part,
O sing ye Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear, praise God and on him cast your care: (R)

And thou, most kind and gentle death, waiting to hush our latest breath,
O praise him, Alleluia!
Thou leadest home the child of God, and Christ our Lord the way hath trod: (R)

Let all things their Creator bless, and worship him in humbleness,
O praise him, Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son, and praise the Spirit, Three in One: (R)

Our second was The Gift of Love, by Hal Hopson, set to the English folk tune that I know as “The Water Is Wide”, but many know as “O Wally, Wally”. Hal Hopson has written many of the anthems our choir sings and the hand bell anthems we ring. He was one of my daughter’s professors at Scarritt Graduate School.

Though I may speak with bravest fire,
And have the gift to all inspire,
And have not love, my words are vain,
As sounding brass, and hopeless gain.

Though I may give all I possess,
And striving so my love profess,
But not be given by love within,
The profit soon turns strangely thin.

Come, Spirit, come, our hearts control,
Our spirits long to be made whole.
Let inward love guide every deed;
By this we worship, and are freed.

For our third hymn we sang Lord, You Give the Great Commission , which we sang only two weeks ago, but it was sung as the congregation came forward with their pledge cards and time and talent cards for volunteer work. I guess it made sense, but I don’t like repeating hymns so often.

Our anthem was a Shaker tune Ye Followers of the Lamb. (This link is to a sample page at Amazon.com. You have to click on the song you want to hear.) Our anthem was arranged by Phillip Dietterich. We worked hard on this piece and performed it very well, but I don’t think the congregation liked it that much. Shaker music is very distinct.

O brethren ain’t you happy, O brethren ain’t you happy, O brethren ain’t you happy
ye followers of the Lamb.
Sing on, dance on, followers of Emmanuel, Sing on, dance on, followers of the Lamb.

O sisters ain’t ye happy, O sisters ain’t ye happy, O sisters ain’t ye happy,
ye followers of the Lamb.
Sing on, dance on, followers of Emmanuel, Sing on, dance on, followers of the Lamb.

O I’m glad I am a Christian, O I’m glad I am a Christian, O I’m glad I am a Christian,
ye followers of the Lamb.
Sing on, dance on, followers of Emmanuel, Sing on, dance on, followers of the Lamb.

O, I mean to be obedient, O, I mean to be obedient, O, I mean to be obedient,
ye followers of the Lamb.
Sing on, dance on, followers of Emmanuel, Sing on, dance on, followers of the Lamb.

The final hymn was Whom Shall I Send? by Fred Pratt Green. The hymn tune is Deus Turum Militum from the Grenoble Antiphoner of 1753, adapted by Ralph Vaughan Williams, and harmonized by Basil Harwood. Many of our “modern” hymns were written by Fred Pratt Green. He was born in Roby, near Liverpool, England, on September 2, 1903. He was ordained as a Methodist minister in 1928 and served circuits in the north and south of England until 1969. During his career as a minister he wrote numerous plays and poems hymns, but it was not until he retired that he began writing prolifically. Green wrote over 300 hymns and Christian songs as well as commissioned texts for special occasions. Green died in 2000.

Whom shall I send? our Maker cries:
And many, when they hear this voice,
Are sure where their vocation lies:
But many shrink from such a choice.

For who can serve a God so pure,
Or claim to speak in such a Name,
While doubt makes every step unsure,
And self confuses every aim?

And yet, believing God who calls
Knows what we are and still may be,
Our past defeats, our future falls,
We dare to answer: God, send me!

Those whom God calls are purified,
God daily gives us strength to bend
Our thoughts, our skills, our energies,
And life itself to this one end.

A Sunday for Fishing

Third Sunday after the Epiphany
The readings for January 22, 2006 were:
Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Psalm 62: 6-141
1 Corinthians 7: 29-31
Mark 1:14-20
As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea-- for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people." And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.

Our introit hymn was Come and See by Marilyn Hamm from our alternative hymnal The Faith We Sing.
“Come and see, come and see, I am the way and the truth," said He.
“Follow me, follow me, come as a child, O come and see."
Kyrie, Kyrie, Kyrie eleison.
Christe, Christe, Christe eleison.
(descant) Christe, Christe adoramus Te.
Alleluia, Kyrie eleison.

The opening hymn was “Hope of the World” by Georgia Harkness

Hope of the world, thou Christ of great compassion,
speak to our fearful hearts by conflict rent.
Save us, thy people from consuming passion,
who by our own false hopes and aims are spent.

Hope of the world, God's gift from highest heaven,
bringing to hungry souls the bread of life,
still let thy spirit unto us be given,
to heal earth's wounds and end all bitter strife.

Hope of the world, afoot on dusty highways,
showing to wandering souls the path of light,
walk thou beside us lest the tempting byways
lure us away from thee to endless night.

The second hymn was It’s Me, It’s Me, O Lord, an old spiritual.

It's me, it's me, O Lord, standin' in the need of pray'r.
It's me, it's me, O Lord, standin' in the need of pray'r.
Not my brother, not my sister, but it's me O Lord, standin' in the need of pray'r.
Not my brother, not my sister, but it's me O Lord, standin' in the need of pray'r.

It's me, it's me, O Lord, standin' in the need of pray'r.
It's me, it's me, O Lord, standin' in the need of pray'r.
Not my mother, not my father, but it's me O Lord, standin' in the need of pray'r.
Not my mother not my father, but it's me O Lord, standin' in the need of pray'r.
It's me, it's me, O Lord, standin' in the need of pray'r.
It's me, it's me, O Lord, standin' in the need of pray'r.

Our anthem was O for a Closer Walk with God ,Text By William Cowper, anthem setting by Timothy Flynn

O for a closer walk with God,
A calm and heavenly frame,
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb!

Where is the blessedness I knew,
When first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soul refreshing view
Of Jesus and His Word?

What peaceful hours I once enjoyed!
How sweet their memory still!
But they have left an aching void
The world can never fill.

Return, O holy Dove, return,
Sweet messenger of rest!
I hate the sins that made Thee mourn
And drove Thee from my breast.

The dearest idol I have known,
Whate’er that idol be
Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only Thee.

So shall my walk be close with God,
Calm and serene my frame;
So purer light shall mark the road
That leads me to the Lamb.

The final hymn was Forth in Thy Name, O Lord written by Charles Wesley and sung to the hymn tune “Duke Street” by John Hatton.

Forth in Thy Name, O Lord, I go,
My daily labor to pursue;
Thee, only Thee, resolved to know
In all I think or speak or do.

The task Thy wisdom hath assigned,
O let me cheerfully fulfill;
In all my works Thy presence find,
And prove Thy good and perfect will.

Preserve me from my calling’s snare,
And hide my simple heart above,
Above the thorns of choking care,
The gilded baits of worldly love.

Thee may I set at my right hand,
Whose eyes mine inmost substance see,
And labor on at Thy command,
And offer all my works to Thee.

Give me to bear Thy easy yoke,
And every moment watch and pray,
And still to things eternal look,
And hasten to Thy glorious day.

For Thee delightfully employ
Whate’er Thy bounteous grace hath giv’n;
And run my course with even joy,
And closely walk with Thee to Heav’n.

Can Anything Good Come out of Nazareth?

The readings for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany were:
1 Samuel 3:1-10(11-20) – The calling of Samuel.
Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
John 1:43-51 – The calling of Philip and the conversion of Nathaniel

The readings today were all about being called to discipleship. So, that’s what the hymns were about. Our introit hymn was from our supplemental hymnal, The Faith We Sing.
The Summons by John Bell.The hymn tune is a traditional Scottish folk tune called Kelvingrove

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known?
Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

Will you love the ‘you’ you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around
Through my sight and touch and sound in you, and you in me?

Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

The first hymn was Be Thou My Vision The words to this ancient Irish hymn were translated by Mary Byrne in 1905 and versified by Eleanor Hull in 1912.

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,
be all else but naught to me, save that thou art;
be thou my best thought in the day and the night,
waking and sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word,
be thou ever with me, and I with thee Lord;
be thou my great Father, and I thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise:
be thou mine inheritance now and always;
Thou and thou only the first in my heart;
High King of heaven, my treasure thou art.

High King of heaven, thou heaven’s bright sun,
O grant me its joys after victory is won;
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

The second hymn was also from The Faith We Sing
Would I Have Answered When You Called the text was written by Herman G. Stuempfle, Jr. The hymn tune is Kingsfold, a traditional English melody harmonized by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Our handbell choir has a wonderful anthem based on this hymn tune in our repertoire.

Would I have answered when you called, “Come follow, follow me?”
Would I at once have left behind both work and family?
Or would the old, familiar round have held me by its claim
and kept the spark within my heart from bursting into flame?

Would I have followed where you led through ancient Galilee,
on roads unknown, by way untried, beyond security?
Or would I soon have hurried back where home and comfort drew,
Where truth you taught would not disturb the ordered world I know?

Would I have matched my step with yours when crowds cried, “Crucify!”
When on a rocky hill I saw a cross against the sky?
Or would I too have slipped away and left you there alone,
A dying king with crown of thorns upon a terrible throne?

O Christ, I cannot search my heart through all its strangled ways,
Nor can I with a certain mind my steadfastness appraise.
I only pray that when you call, “Come follow, follow me!”
You’ll give me strength beyond my own to follow faithfully.

Our anthem was a setting of Psalm 139 by by Allen Pote

Lord, you have searched me and known me, you know everything I do.
When I rise up and lie down, you are with me through and through. Before
a word is on my tongue, you know what I will say; your presence follows
me day by day Where can I flee from your spirit? Where can I run away? If
I go to heaven or live in hell, you are there. Search me, O God, and know
me, try me and know my heart. See if there be any wicked way in me, and
lead me in the way everlasting. Amen.

The final hymn was Lord, You Give the Great Commission by Jeffrey Rowthorn © 1978 by Hope Publishing Co. The hymn tune is Abbot's Leigh by Cyril V. Taylor.

Lord, you give the great commission:"Heal the sick and preach the word."
Lest the Church neglect its missionand the Gospel go unheard,
help us witness to your purpose with renewed integrity;
with the Spirit's gifts empower us for the work of ministry.

Lord, you call us to your service:"In my name baptize and teach."
That the world may trust your promise,life abundant meant for each,
give us all new fervor,draw us closer in community;
with the Spirit's gifts empower usfor the work of ministry.

Lord, you make the common holy:"This my body, this my blood."
Let your priests, for earth's true glory, daily lift life heavenward,
asking that world around us share your children's liberty;
with the Spirit's gifts empower us for the work of ministry.

Lord, you show us love's true measure:"Father, what they do, forgive."
Yet we hoard as private treasure all that you so freely give.
May your care and mercy lead usto a just society;
with the Spirit's gifts empower us for the work of ministry.

Lord, you bless with words assuring:"I am with you to the end."
Faith and hope and love restoring, may we serve as you intend,
and, amid the cares that claim us, hold in mind eternity;
with the Spirit's gifts empower us for the work of ministry.

Remember Your Baptism and Be Thankful

The readings for the first Sunday after Epiphany are:
Genesis 1:1-5
Psalm 29
Acts 19:1-7
Mark 1:4-11

I was sick the week of New Year's Day so I missed the second Sunday of Christmas. Here are the readings. I don't know what the hymns were. If you visit the All Souls Episcopal Church bulletin you can listen to their hymns and anthems from last week. I love their webpage. It's better than television church when you can't make it to church on Sunday.
Numbers 6:22-27
Galatians 4:4-7
Philippians 2:5-11
Luke 2:15-21
Psalm 8

Since today was all about the Baptism of Christ by John the Baptist and also the day we welcomed our new associate pastor, all the hymns were about baptism and ordination.

The introit was Beautiful Savior written by an unknown German Jesuit about 1677 and translated by Joseph A. Seiss in 1873. The tune is based on a Sliesian folk tune and is called Crusader Hymn.

1. Beautiful Savior,
King of Creation,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Truly I'd love Thee,
Truly I'd serve Thee,
Light of my soul, my Joy, my Crown.

2. Fair are the meadows,
Fair are the woodlands,
Robed in flowers of blooming spring;
Jesus is fairer,
Jesus is purer;
He makes our sorrowing spirit sing.

3. Fair is the sunshine,
Fair is the moonlight,
Bright the sparkling stars on high;
Jesus shines brighter,
Jesus shines purer,
Than all the angels in the sky.

4. Beautiful Savior,
Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor,
Praise, adoration,
Now and forevermore be Thine!

The first hymn was This Is the Spirit's Entry Now by Thomas E. Herbranson. The hymn tune we used was Azmon by Carl G. Glazer, arranged by Lowell Mason. The text is under copyright, but you can find it in The Methodist Hymnal, number 608.

The second hymn was Holy Spirit, Come Confirm Us. This is another hymn that is under copyright. It's hymn 331 in The Methodist Hymnal.

Our offertory anthem was This Is My Beloved Son by Dan Uhl.

When John baptized the Christ, our Lord, the heavens opened wide.
The Spirit from on high came down, descending like a dove.
Assuring those on Jordan’s banks a voice proclaimed these words:
This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.
Come Holy Spirit heavenly dove. Come now in visitation.
Renew in us baptismal grace throughout each day, in every place,
You are the way, the truth, the light. Lead us to our salvation.

The final hymn was When Jesus Came to Jordan by Fred Pratt Green.

When Jesus came to Jordan
to be baptized by John,
he did not come for pardon.
but as his Father's Son.
He came to share repentance
with all who mourn their sins,
to speak the vital sentence
with which good news begins.

He came to share temptation,
our utmost woe and loss,
for us and our salvation
to die upon the cross.
So when the Dove descended
on him, the Son of Man,
the hidden years had ended,
the age of grace began.

Come, Holy Spirit, aid us
to keep the vows we make,
this very day invade us,
and every bondage break.
Come, give our lives direction,
the gift we covet most:
to share the resurrection
that leads to Pentecost.