Hymn Sing Sunday ~ Sunday, July 14th, 2024
Protestant church music during and after the Reformation was used as a way of bringing the worship alive. Not as a grand concert like practices found in the Catholic church of the time but as a way to learn about scripture and prayer. Martin Luther would make use of his musical skills to become a tool for promoting the teaching reforms of the Reformation. Luther strongly supported worship music and emphasized its importance in the church, especially in bringing the Psalms to life. John Calvin, also support the use of music in worship, especially children’s choirs, but he stressed the importance that music should not be used as a form of self-indulgence but always directed towards God
Call to Worship: Psalm 150
Praise the Lord.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with timbrel and dancing,
praise him with the strings and pipe,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord.
Hymn: #299 – Holy, holy, holy
In a world filled with false gods, “Holy, Holy, Holy” exalts the one true God. This joyful hymn celebrates God’s eternal and powerful presence. And goes on to proclaim about God’s work in the past, present, and future (who was, and is, and is to come). The hymn points to God’s perfection it also reminds us of our own destiny, for someday, we too will sing “around the glassy sea.”
Hymn: #438 – When morning gilds the sky
Following ordination, Edward Caswall he became involved in the Oxford Movement. He was made Vicar of Stratford Subcastle near Salisbury in 1840. In 1847, he resigned as a Church of England priest, became a Roman Catholic priest. He left the Catholic church for a while and after his wife died of cholera at Torquay on September 14, 1849, he went to Birmingham, in December, where he was re-ordained a priest. He remained there until his death on January 2, 1878. Throughout his life, Caswall was regarded as a devotional man, warm-hearted, wonderfully good to the poor, and a compassionate friend to children. He is also known for his many German hymns. Caswall is considered to be one of the important nineteenth century English translators of ancient hymnody.
Prayer of Approach, Confession and Assurance of Pardon:
Gracious God,
you are the Source of life and love in all creation,
In a world marked by bitterness, you are compassion.
In a culture marked by confusion, you are the truth that sets us free.
Your strength is comfort when we are fearful.
Your wisdom is guidance when we lose our way.
For all that you are and all that you give,
God, our Maker,
Christ, our Saviour,
and Spirit who leads us into life,
we offer you all honour, praise, and worship,
now and always. Amen.
Loving God,
in a selfish world, you are generous to those in need.
In the face of injustice, you speak as our conscience.
Instead of vengeance, you call for mercy and reconciliation.
Forgive us when we follow the instincts of the world,
rather than the faithfulness you teach.
Strengthen our resolve to live generously,
in action and in attitude.
Assurance of Pardon
Hear the good news! Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ – and Christ died for us; Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. Believe the good news of the gospel. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and set free by God’s generous grace.
Hymn: #749 – Be still my soul
Little is known about the author of this hymn. Katharina Amalia Dorothea von Schlegel was born in 1697. The date of her death is unknown. The hymn comes to us via a translation by Jane L. Borthwick. As a devout member of the Church of Scotland, Jane Borthwick shared her faith in various ways including through hymnology. When we sing this hymn, we feel the serenity on the other side of the struggle. It is, therefore, a fitting hymn in times of grief, struggle, patience, or pain. Each verse of the hymn begins with a reflexive command: “Be still, my soul.” The theme is drawn from Psalm 37, where David exhorts himself to “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him.”
Hymn: #348 – Tell me the stories of Jesus
William Henry Parker grew up in a manufacturing community and at the age of thirteen he became an apprentice in the machine construction department of the lace factory. Early in his life he began writing verse joining the General Baptist Church he became interested in writing verse to assist the ministry of the Sunday School for their anniversary occasions. Every year he composed one or two verses for this purpose. His hymns were originally published in School Hymns 1880 and soon became part of other collections of hymns for the young.
Solo: ‘His Eye is on the Sparrow’ (Tony Davison)
Hymn: The old rugged cross
This hymn was written in 1912 by George Bennard, a man who got his start in ministry through the Salvation Army. While he was processing the death of his mother and the suicide of his father this forced him to reflect on the significance of the cross and what the apostle Paul meant when he spoke of “entering into the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings” in Philippians 3:10. It was during these days of spiritual struggle that Bennard formed the theme for “The Old Rugged Cross.” When you read the lyrics, it is easy to see how it resonated with believers. To know Christ is to know what was accomplished for you on the cross. The great exchange of your sin for his righteousness.
- On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross
The emblem of suffering and shame
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain Chorus
Chorus
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross
Till my trophies at last I lay down
I will cling to the old rugged cross
And exchange it some day for a crown
O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary. Chorus
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true
It’s shame and reproach gladly bear
Then he’ll call me some day to my home far away
Where his glory forever I’ll share Chorus
Hymn: Bringing in the sheaves
Laurine’s hymn choice is ” Bringing in the Sheaves “in memory of her Mother, Olive MacDonald, who was a longtime soprano in Knox Chancel Choir. During her years living with Alzheimer’s she repeatedly sang this one hymn – knowing all the words.
- Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,
Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;
Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
Refrain:
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves;
Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
- Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,
Fearing neither clouds nor winter’s chilling breeze;
By and by the harvest, and the labor ended,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves. Refrain - Going forth with weeping, sowing for the Master,
Though the loss sustained our spirit often grieves;
When our weeping’s over, He will bid us welcome,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves. Refrain
Anthem: ‘And by Siloam’s shady rill’
Invitation of Offering:
The Book of Ephesians tells us that we have received an inheritance in Christ. God’s gifts to us in Christ and in creation allow us to be generous in response to the needs in God’s world. What we give to God speaks to the world of God’s generosity, as well as our own.
Doxology: #661, We give thee but thine own
We give Thee but Thine own, Whate’er the gift may be;
All that we have is Thine alone, A trust, O Lord, from Thee.
Prayer of Dedication:
Generous God, growth in gardens and fields this summer speaks of the generosity you have planted within your creation. Bless the gifts we bring, that they too may grow in fruitfulness, and touch lives in need with your generous love, in the name of Christ, our help and our hope. Amen.
Hymn: #481 – Blest be the tie that binds
Was submitted by Marlene Starkey. This hymn has significance as this hymn was sung at her wedding when she married her husband, Ralph, on July 15, 1961.
Hymn: #376 – Shine, Jesus, shine
Graham Kendrick’s “Shine, Jesus, Shine” (also known as “Lord, the light of your love is shining”). Was written in light of the author thinking for some time about the holiness of God, and how that as a community of believers and as individuals, His desire is for us to live continually in his presence. Longing for revival in the churches and spiritual awakening in the nation was growing, but also a recognition that we cannot stand in God’s presence without ‘clean hands and a pure heart.’
Hymn: As the deer
Martin Nystrom was involved in teaching and over the years noticed that it actually took its toll on his personal spiritual life. Since he had the summer off while teaching in the Seattle area, he decided to study at the Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, TX. He had no way of knowing that a summer of studying would be life changing. It was here that he wrote the song “As the deer” after nineteen days of fasting. The hymn captures in figurative language the desperation the author of Psalm 42 felt in their soul when longing for the refuge found in the presence of the Lord in a time of trouble. At the end of the summer he chose to share it with others and it soon travelled the world. He has expressed his amazement that God used him to share a scripture passage with the various Christian peoples of the world.
- As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you.
You alone are my hearts desire and I long to worship you.
Chorus:
You alone are my strength, my shield,
To You alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship You.
- You’re my Friend and You are my brother, even though You are a King.
I love You more than any other, So much more than anything. Chorus
- I want You more than gold or silver, only You can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy-giver and the apple of my eye.
Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer (Trespasses):
Blessed are you, O God, for all your goodness to us.
In Christ, we meet your love and wisdom, face to face.
Through the Holy Spirit, we recognize the abilities and opportunities
you create in us and for us to reach out to the world you love.
We thank you for all the ways friends and families,
neighbours and strangers,
reach out to us and to others,
offering support and kindness,
speaking up to confront wrongdoing,
celebrating when achievements bring happiness and healing.
Today we pray for courageous leaders in cities, countries and congregations
who strive to serve with integrity and honesty
in a world prone to self-interest.
We pray for those who struggle to create justice
Where it has been compromised,
and to build understanding in divided communities.
We remember before you quiet and reliable leaders
who keep their word and meet their deadlines
so that we can depend on them in these unsettled times.
We pray for patient church members and community volunteers,
who work diligently to improve our life together.
And we pray for the creative, impatient change makers
who keep challenging us to be bolder and more determined
in righting wrongs and trying new strategies.
We pray for the troubled in mind or spirit,
for the angry and unhappy,
and for those who feel that every day is a struggle.
Soothe their concerns
and open their hearts to claim the hope and help you offer.
We remember before you the sick and the dying,
and the bereaved who must try to put their lives back together again.
We pray for those who are looking for better health,
a fresh start, more stability or a glimpse of hope.
Draw close to all these who suffer,
offering your comfort and courage to face whatever comes next.
Receive our prayers, both spoken and unspoken,
and embrace us all in your love.
Give us hearts to understand not only what you do on our behalf,
but also what you call us to do on your behalf,
for we are friends and followers of Jesus, who taught us to pray:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth,
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
The power, and the glory,
For ever and ever.
Amen.
Hymn: #592 I, the Lord of sea and sky
Daniel L. Schutte served the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where he taught high school music and theology. He joined the Jesuits and served as director of liturgy on the campus ministry staff at Marquette University in Milwaukee. “Here I Am Lord” is a spiritual hymn about answering the Lord’s call to serve and in being called by God, trusting him to walk with you through everything.
Hymn: #407 Praise, my Soul, the King of heaven
As a music director over the years, Barry, has always been drawn to this piece of music for the words and the different harmonies that are so unique.
Benediction:
Go in faith, ready to serve God, trusting that God counts your life as precious.
Now may the LORD keep us and bless us,
May the LORD make his face to shine upon us
and be gracious unto us,
Now and for ever more, AMEN.
Choral Closing: “Go Now in Peace”
Go now in peace. Never be afraid.
God will go with you each hour of every day.
Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true.
Know He will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others so all the world can see.
God will be there watching from above.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.
https://pccweb.ca/knox-goderich/files/2024/07/Listen-for-God.docx