Lent is upon us.The last Sunday after Epiphay has come. We celebrate the Transfiguration, say farewell to Alleluia and prepare ourselves for forty days of fasting and penance.
This has been a difficult week for our community. Four prominent businessmen, including three of my friends from Rotary, were killed in a plane crash Wednesday night. The next week there will be four funerals to attend.
2 Kings 2:1-12
Psalm 50:1-6
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Mark 9:2-9
Our introit hymn was O Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair set to the tune Deo Gracias, the Agincourt Song.
O wondrous type! O vision fair
of glory that the Church may share,
which Christ upon the mountain shows,
where brighter than the sun he glows!
With shining face and bright array,
Christ deigns to manifest today
what glory shall be theirs above
who joy in God with perfect love.
And faithful hearts are raised on high
by this great vision's mystery;
for which in joyful strains we raise
the voice of prayer, the hymns of praise.
Our opening hymn was O Zion, Haste written by Mary A. Thompsonand set to the tune Tidings by James Walch
1. O Zion, haste, thy mission high fulfilling,
to tell to all the world that God is light,
that he who made all nations is not willing
one soul should perish, lost in shades of night.
Refrain:
Publish glad tidings, tidings of peace;
tidings of Jesus, redemption and release.
2. Behold how many thousands still are lying
bound in the darksome prisonhouse of sin,
with none to tell them of the Savior's dying,
or of the life he died for them to win.
(Refrain)
3. Proclaim to every people, tongue, and nation
that God, in whom they live and move, is love;
tell how he stooped to save his lost creation,
and died on earth that we might live above.
(Refrain)
4. Give of thine own to bear the message glorious;
give of thy wealth to speed them on their way;
pour out thy soul for them in prayer victorious;
O Zion, haste to bring the brighter day.
(Refrain)
Our second hymn was some different verses of O Wondrous Type! O Vision Fair set to a different tune, Wareham, Aeterne Rex altissime, O nata Lux de Lumine
O wondrous type! O vision fair
of glory that the Church may share,
which Christ upon the mountain shows,
where brighter than the sun he glows!
The law and prophets there have place,
the chosen witnesses of grace;
the Father's voice from our the cloud
proclaims his only Son aloud.
O Father, with the eternal Son,
and Holy Spirit, ever One,
vouchsafe to bring us by thy grace
to see thy glory face to face.
Our anthem was based on the hymn Alleluia, Song of Gladness, set to the hymn tune Picardy by Donald Busarow. It is a moving anthem, well suited for the ending of the service on this last Sunday before Ash Wednesday. The hymn is 11th century Latin poem, translated by John Mason Neale.
Alleuia, song of gladness, voice of joy that cannot die;
alleluia is the anthem ever raised by choirs on high;
in the house of God abiding thus they sing eternally.
Alleluia thou resoundest, true Jerusalem and free;
alleluia, joyful mother, all thy children sing with thee;
but by Babylon's sad waters mourning exiles now are we.
Alleluia, though we cherish and would chant for evermore
alleluia, in our singing let us for a while give o'er,
as our Saviour in his fasting, pleasures of the world forbore.
Therefore in our hymns we pray thee, grant us blessed Trinity,
at the last to keep thine Easter with thy faithful saints on high;
there to thee for ever singing alleluia joyfully!
God of Grace and God of Glory by Harry Emerson Fosdick. The tune is Cwm Rhondda
by John Hughes.
God of grace and God of glory,
On Thy people pour Thy power.
Crown Thine ancient church’s story,
Bring her bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the facing of this hour,
For the facing of this hour.
Lo! the hosts of evil ’round us,
Scorn Thy Christ, assail His ways.
From the fears that long have bound us,
Free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the living of these days,
For the living of these days.
Cure Thy children’s warring madness,
Bend our pride to Thy control.
Shame our wanton selfish gladness,
Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
Lest we miss Thy kingdom’s goal,
Lest we miss Thy kingdom’s goal.
Set our feet on lofty places,
Gird our lives that they may be,
Armored with all Christ-like graces,
In the fight to set men free.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
That we fail not man nor Thee,
That we fail not man nor Thee.
Save us from weak resignation,
To the evils we deplore.
Let the search for Thy salvation,
Be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
Serving Thee Whom we adore,
Serving Thee Whom we adore.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany
The readings for the seventh Sunday after the Epiphany were:
Isaiah 43:18-25
Psalm 41
2 Corinthians 1:18-22
Mark 2:1-12
Our introit hymn was O Christ the Healer by Fred Pratt Green. The hymn tune is Erhalt Uns Herr.
O Christ, the healer, we have come
to pray for health, to plead for friends.
How can we fail to be restored,
when reached by love that never ends?
From every ailment flesh endures
our bodies clamor to be freed;
yet in our hearts we would confess
that wholeness is our deepest need.
How strong, O Lord, are our desires,
how weak our knowledge of ourselves!
Release in us those healing truths
unconscious pride resists or shelves.
In conflicts that destroy our health,
we diagnose the world's disease;
our common life declares our ills:
is there no cure, O Christ, for these?
Grant that we all, made one in faith,
in your community may find
the wholeness that, enriching us,
shall reach the whole of humankind.
The first hymn was O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing by Charles Wesley. The hymn tune is Azmon by Carl G. Gläser.
O for a thousand tongues to sing my dear Redeemer's praise,
the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of his grace!
My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim
and spread through all the earth abroad the honors of thy Name.
Jesus! the Name that charms our fears and bids our sorrows cease;
'tis music in the sinner's ears, 'tis life and health and peace.
He speaks, and listening to his voice, new life the dead receive;
the mournful broken hearts rejoice, the humble poor believe.
Hear him, ye deaf; his praise, ye dumb, your loosened tongues employ;
ye blind, behold, your Savior come; and leap, ye lame, for joy!
Glory to God and praise and love be now and ever given
by saints below and saints above the Church in earth and heaven.
Our second hymn was my all-time number one favorite hymn - How Firm A Foundation by Thomas Rippon. This hymn was sung at the funerals of American presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson as well as General Robert E. Lee.
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
to you that for refuge to Jesus have fled?
"Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed!
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
"The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell shall endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no, never, no, never forsake."
Our anthem was The Eyes of All Wait upon Thee by Jean Berger. It was difficult, and we didn’t really have enough weeks to rehearse it, but we did ok. It’s a wonderful anthem.
The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their meat in due season.
Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
The final hymn was The final hymn was Lord of the Dance by Sydney Carter. The hymn tune is Carter’s adaptation of the Shaker hymn Simple Gifts.
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.
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 wouldn't follow me.
I danced for the fishermen,
For James and John -
They came with me
And the Dance went on.
Chorus
I danced on the Sabbath
And I cured the lame;
The holy people
Said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped
And they hung me on high,
And they left me there
On a Cross to die.
Chorus
I danced on a Friday
When 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.
Chorus
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.
Chorus
Copyright 1963 Stainer & Bell Ltd. London, England
Isaiah 43:18-25
Psalm 41
2 Corinthians 1:18-22
Mark 2:1-12
Our introit hymn was O Christ the Healer by Fred Pratt Green. The hymn tune is Erhalt Uns Herr.
O Christ, the healer, we have come
to pray for health, to plead for friends.
How can we fail to be restored,
when reached by love that never ends?
From every ailment flesh endures
our bodies clamor to be freed;
yet in our hearts we would confess
that wholeness is our deepest need.
How strong, O Lord, are our desires,
how weak our knowledge of ourselves!
Release in us those healing truths
unconscious pride resists or shelves.
In conflicts that destroy our health,
we diagnose the world's disease;
our common life declares our ills:
is there no cure, O Christ, for these?
Grant that we all, made one in faith,
in your community may find
the wholeness that, enriching us,
shall reach the whole of humankind.
The first hymn was O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing by Charles Wesley. The hymn tune is Azmon by Carl G. Gläser.
O for a thousand tongues to sing my dear Redeemer's praise,
the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of his grace!
My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim
and spread through all the earth abroad the honors of thy Name.
Jesus! the Name that charms our fears and bids our sorrows cease;
'tis music in the sinner's ears, 'tis life and health and peace.
He speaks, and listening to his voice, new life the dead receive;
the mournful broken hearts rejoice, the humble poor believe.
Hear him, ye deaf; his praise, ye dumb, your loosened tongues employ;
ye blind, behold, your Savior come; and leap, ye lame, for joy!
Glory to God and praise and love be now and ever given
by saints below and saints above the Church in earth and heaven.
Our second hymn was my all-time number one favorite hymn - How Firm A Foundation by Thomas Rippon. This hymn was sung at the funerals of American presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson as well as General Robert E. Lee.
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
to you that for refuge to Jesus have fled?
"Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed!
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
"The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell shall endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no, never, no, never forsake."
Our anthem was The Eyes of All Wait upon Thee by Jean Berger. It was difficult, and we didn’t really have enough weeks to rehearse it, but we did ok. It’s a wonderful anthem.
The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their meat in due season.
Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
The final hymn was The final hymn was Lord of the Dance by Sydney Carter. The hymn tune is Carter’s adaptation of the Shaker hymn Simple Gifts.
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.
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 wouldn't follow me.
I danced for the fishermen,
For James and John -
They came with me
And the Dance went on.
Chorus
I danced on the Sabbath
And I cured the lame;
The holy people
Said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped
And they hung me on high,
And they left me there
On a Cross to die.
Chorus
I danced on a Friday
When 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.
Chorus
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.
Chorus
Copyright 1963 Stainer & Bell Ltd. London, England
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Snow Instead of Church on February 12!
The readings for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany were:
2 Kings 5:1-14
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Mark 1:40-45
Psalm 30
Here in Virginia we didn't get hit as badly by the big coastal blizzard as New York and New England, but we did have about a foot of snow and lots of ice. It kept most of us indoors for about a day and a half. There was no way we could get to church on Sunday morning. That was the time of the heaviest snowfall, but one of our pastors and a total of 75 parishoners braved the elements and made it to each of our regular three services. That averages out to about 25 per service, but I think only 10 people actually made it to the 8:30 service. Our normal attendance is about 375 per service, so we were short over 1,000 people this week. Two choir members showed up, and the pastor asked them to sit in the choir loft. The organist couldn't get into town, nor could our daughter who directs the youth choir. But they had three services and here are the hymns they sang.
Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven by Henry Francis Lyte. The hymn tune is called Lauda anima by John Goss.
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, help us to 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.
He Touched Me by Bill and Gloria Gaither
Shackled by a heavy burden
'Neath a load of guilt and shame
Then the hand of Jesus touched me
And now I am no longer the same
For He touched me, He touched me
What wonderful joy that floods my soul
Something happened and now I know
He touched me and made me whole
Oh since I met this blessed Savior
And since he cleaned and made me whole
Oh I never cease, never cease to praise Him
I'll shout it while eternity rolls
Oh He touched me, oh He touched me
And oh what a joy that floods my soul
Something happened and now I know
He touched me and made me whole.
The anthem was supposed to be Hymn of Promise by Natalie Sleeth. Since the congregation knows this anyway, the pastor had everyone sing the anthem.
In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity,
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
The final hymn was It Is Well with My Soul by Horatio Gates Spafford. This is one of those hymns written as a response to overwhelming personal sorrow. Spafford was ruined financially by the Great Chicago Fire of October, 1871. His only son died that same year. Two years later his family decided to vacation in Europe and during the trans-Atlantic crossing Spafford's four daughters were killed in a collision with another ship. His wife survived the shipwreck. Spafford wrote this hymn a few weeks later.
When peace like a river, attendeth my way;
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...
He lives--oh, the bliss of this glorious thought;
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Oh my soul.
It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...
And, Lord, haste the day when our faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trumpet shall sound, and the Lord shall descend;
Even so, it is well with my soul...
It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...
2 Kings 5:1-14
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Mark 1:40-45
Psalm 30
Here in Virginia we didn't get hit as badly by the big coastal blizzard as New York and New England, but we did have about a foot of snow and lots of ice. It kept most of us indoors for about a day and a half. There was no way we could get to church on Sunday morning. That was the time of the heaviest snowfall, but one of our pastors and a total of 75 parishoners braved the elements and made it to each of our regular three services. That averages out to about 25 per service, but I think only 10 people actually made it to the 8:30 service. Our normal attendance is about 375 per service, so we were short over 1,000 people this week. Two choir members showed up, and the pastor asked them to sit in the choir loft. The organist couldn't get into town, nor could our daughter who directs the youth choir. But they had three services and here are the hymns they sang.
Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven by Henry Francis Lyte. The hymn tune is called Lauda anima by John Goss.
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, help us to 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.
He Touched Me by Bill and Gloria Gaither
Shackled by a heavy burden
'Neath a load of guilt and shame
Then the hand of Jesus touched me
And now I am no longer the same
For He touched me, He touched me
What wonderful joy that floods my soul
Something happened and now I know
He touched me and made me whole
Oh since I met this blessed Savior
And since he cleaned and made me whole
Oh I never cease, never cease to praise Him
I'll shout it while eternity rolls
Oh He touched me, oh He touched me
And oh what a joy that floods my soul
Something happened and now I know
He touched me and made me whole.
The anthem was supposed to be Hymn of Promise by Natalie Sleeth. Since the congregation knows this anyway, the pastor had everyone sing the anthem.
In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity,
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
The final hymn was It Is Well with My Soul by Horatio Gates Spafford. This is one of those hymns written as a response to overwhelming personal sorrow. Spafford was ruined financially by the Great Chicago Fire of October, 1871. His only son died that same year. Two years later his family decided to vacation in Europe and during the trans-Atlantic crossing Spafford's four daughters were killed in a collision with another ship. His wife survived the shipwreck. Spafford wrote this hymn a few weeks later.
When peace like a river, attendeth my way;
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...
He lives--oh, the bliss of this glorious thought;
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Oh my soul.
It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...
And, Lord, haste the day when our faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trumpet shall sound, and the Lord shall descend;
Even so, it is well with my soul...
It is well...with my soul... It is well, it is well, with my soul...
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
The Lessons Appointed for Use on the
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
Year BRCL
Isaiah 40:21-31
Psalm 147:1-12, 21c
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Mark 1:29-39
The opening hymn was
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty The text was written by Joachim Neander and translated by Catherine Winkworth. The tune is Lobe den Herren from the Erneuerten Gesanbuch of 1665, harmonized by William Sterndale Bennett.
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation.
O my soul, praise him, for he is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to his temple draw near;
join me in glad adoration!
Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
surely his goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
who with his love doth befriend thee.
Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before him!
Let the amen sound from his people again;
gladly forever adore him.
The second hymn was Have Thine Own Way, Lord. The text was written by Adelaide A. Pollard (1862-1934). The tune is Adelaide by George C. Stebbins (1846-1945).
1. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will,
while I am waiting, yielded and still.
2. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Search me and try me, Savior today!
Wash me just now, Lord, wash me just now,
as in thy presence humbly I bow.
3. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power, all power, surely is thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!
4. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!
Our anthem was On Eagles Wings It was written by Michael Joncas, based on Isaiah 40:31
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run,
and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."
The congregation sang with the choir on all the refrains.
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.
Our Communion hymns were:
Gift of Finest Wheat
This American Catholic hymn was composed for the Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia
1976, hymn tune by Robert Kreutz,text by Omer Westendorf.
You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat,
Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.
As when a shepherd calls his sheep, they know and heed his voice,
so when you call your family, Lord,we follow and rejoice.
You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat,
Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.
With joyful lips we sing to you our praise and gratitude,
that you should count us worthy, Lord, to share this heavenly food.
You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat,
Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.
Is not the cup we bless and share the blood od Christ outpoured?
Do not one cup, one loaf, declare our oneness in the Lord?
You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat,
Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.
The mystery of your presence, Lord, no mortal tongue could tell;
whom all the world cannot contain comes in our hearts to dwell.
You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat,
Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.
You give yourself to us, O Lord; then selfless let us be,
to serve each other in your name in truth and charity.
You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat,
Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.
Here Is Bread
Here is bread. Here is wine:
Christ is with us: He is with us.
Break the bread; taste the wine:
Christ is with us here.
Here is grace, here is peace:
Christ is with us: He is with us.
Know His grace; find His peace:
Feast on Jesus here.
In this bread there is healing;
In this cup there's life forever.
In this moment by the Spirit
Christ is with us here.
Here we are, joined in one:
Christ is with us: He is with us.
We'll proclaim till He comes
Jesus crucified.
In this bread there is healing;
In this cup there's life forever.
In this moment by the Spirit
Christ is with us here.
Now Let Us from This Table Rise by Fred H. Kaan. The tune is Deus Turom Militum which we sang last week with the hymn Whom Shall I Send?
Now let us from this table rise
Renewed in body, mind, and soul;
With Christ we die and live again,
His selfless love has made us whole.
With minds alert, upheld by grace,
To spread the word in speech and deed,
We follow in the steps of Christ,
At one with all in hope and need.
To fill each human house with love,
It is the sacrament of care;
The work that Christ began to do
We humbly pledge ourselves to share.
Then grant us courage, Father God,
To choose again the pilgrim way
And help us to accept with joy
The challenge of tomorrow's day.
Our closing hymn was the great Charles Wesley hymn A Charge to Keep I Have set to the tune Boylston by Lowell Mason.
1. A charge to keep I have,a God to glorify,
a never-dying soul to save,and fit it for the sky.
2. To serve the present age,my calling to fulfill;
O may it all my powers engage to do my Master's will!
3. Arm me with jealous care,as in thy sight to live,
and oh, thy servant, Lord,prepare a strict account to give!
4. Help me to watch and pray,and on thyself rely,
assured, if I my trust betray,I shall forever die.
The postlude was based on the hymn tune The Ash Grove one of my favorite tunes. Last year our handbell choir played an anthem based on this tune.It was wonderful.
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
Year BRCL
Isaiah 40:21-31
Psalm 147:1-12, 21c
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Mark 1:29-39
The opening hymn was
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty The text was written by Joachim Neander and translated by Catherine Winkworth. The tune is Lobe den Herren from the Erneuerten Gesanbuch of 1665, harmonized by William Sterndale Bennett.
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation.
O my soul, praise him, for he is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to his temple draw near;
join me in glad adoration!
Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
surely his goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
who with his love doth befriend thee.
Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!
All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before him!
Let the amen sound from his people again;
gladly forever adore him.
The second hymn was Have Thine Own Way, Lord. The text was written by Adelaide A. Pollard (1862-1934). The tune is Adelaide by George C. Stebbins (1846-1945).
1. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will,
while I am waiting, yielded and still.
2. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Search me and try me, Savior today!
Wash me just now, Lord, wash me just now,
as in thy presence humbly I bow.
3. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power, all power, surely is thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!
4. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!
Our anthem was On Eagles Wings It was written by Michael Joncas, based on Isaiah 40:31
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run,
and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."
The congregation sang with the choir on all the refrains.
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.
Our Communion hymns were:
Gift of Finest Wheat
This American Catholic hymn was composed for the Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia
1976, hymn tune by Robert Kreutz,text by Omer Westendorf.
You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat,
Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.
As when a shepherd calls his sheep, they know and heed his voice,
so when you call your family, Lord,we follow and rejoice.
You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat,
Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.
With joyful lips we sing to you our praise and gratitude,
that you should count us worthy, Lord, to share this heavenly food.
You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat,
Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.
Is not the cup we bless and share the blood od Christ outpoured?
Do not one cup, one loaf, declare our oneness in the Lord?
You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat,
Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.
The mystery of your presence, Lord, no mortal tongue could tell;
whom all the world cannot contain comes in our hearts to dwell.
You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat,
Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.
You give yourself to us, O Lord; then selfless let us be,
to serve each other in your name in truth and charity.
You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat,
Come give to us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat.
Here Is Bread
Here is bread. Here is wine:
Christ is with us: He is with us.
Break the bread; taste the wine:
Christ is with us here.
Here is grace, here is peace:
Christ is with us: He is with us.
Know His grace; find His peace:
Feast on Jesus here.
In this bread there is healing;
In this cup there's life forever.
In this moment by the Spirit
Christ is with us here.
Here we are, joined in one:
Christ is with us: He is with us.
We'll proclaim till He comes
Jesus crucified.
In this bread there is healing;
In this cup there's life forever.
In this moment by the Spirit
Christ is with us here.
Now Let Us from This Table Rise by Fred H. Kaan. The tune is Deus Turom Militum which we sang last week with the hymn Whom Shall I Send?
Now let us from this table rise
Renewed in body, mind, and soul;
With Christ we die and live again,
His selfless love has made us whole.
With minds alert, upheld by grace,
To spread the word in speech and deed,
We follow in the steps of Christ,
At one with all in hope and need.
To fill each human house with love,
It is the sacrament of care;
The work that Christ began to do
We humbly pledge ourselves to share.
Then grant us courage, Father God,
To choose again the pilgrim way
And help us to accept with joy
The challenge of tomorrow's day.
Our closing hymn was the great Charles Wesley hymn A Charge to Keep I Have set to the tune Boylston by Lowell Mason.
1. A charge to keep I have,a God to glorify,
a never-dying soul to save,and fit it for the sky.
2. To serve the present age,my calling to fulfill;
O may it all my powers engage to do my Master's will!
3. Arm me with jealous care,as in thy sight to live,
and oh, thy servant, Lord,prepare a strict account to give!
4. Help me to watch and pray,and on thyself rely,
assured, if I my trust betray,I shall forever die.
The postlude was based on the hymn tune The Ash Grove one of my favorite tunes. Last year our handbell choir played an anthem based on this tune.It was wonderful.
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