Saturday, March 13, 2021

Music for Anywhere Worship: Sunday, March 14, 2021






As we turn our clocks forward this weekend for the return of Daylight Savings Time, here are some hymn lyrics praising the One who holds every hour of our lives in his capable hands: 

Now that the daylight fills the sky,
We lift our hearts to God on high
That He, in all we do or say,
Would keep us free from harm today,

Would guard our hearts and tongues from strife,
From angry words would shield our life,
From evil sights would turn our eyes,
And close our ears to vanities.

So we, when this new day is gone,
And night in turn is drawing on,
With conscience by the world unstained,
Shall praise His name for vict'ry gained.

"All praise to You, Creator Lord!
All praise to You, eternal Word!
All praise to You, O Spirit wise!"
We sing as daylight fills the skies.

This hymn is appropriately titled "Now that the Daylight Fills the Sky" and was written by Ambrose of Milan (c.340-397) and translated from Latin to English by John Mason Neale. Notice the Trinitarian final verse!  (This hymn is set to an exquisite melody by Haydn here, in case you'd like to hear a recording of it). 
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Welcome!  Here we are once again, gathering online together, one year after a global pandemic was declared. It's also one year after the first weekend in which many local churches cancelled regular services. We give thanks for the care and comfort God has provided during this very long season of being apart from one another, and also look forward to the day when we can gather to worship again (praying that will be soon!).

We still delight in the ability we have to lift our voices in praise wherever we are.  May the music, stories, scripture verses and images shared here encourage you in your faith and equip you to magnify the name of Jesus Christ at the start of a new week.  

If you are a first-time visitor, click here to find out the story of "Notes of Glory." (You will also find some tips for listening to music using the SoundCloud windows).  Turn up the volume on your device, feel free to click on the sheet music images to enlarge them, warm up your voice, and prepare to sing with joy!

PRELUDE
(to help you prepare to worship)

Alleluia/The Majesty and Glory of Your Name



"Alleluia" music by Jerry Sinclair. "Majesty" words by Linda Lee Johnson, music by Tom Fettke.  Solo piano arrangement by Mark Hayes

Psalm 8
O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
you have established strength because of your foes,
to still the enemy and the avenger.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?

Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under his feet,
all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
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Here's a unique piano solo arrangement by Mark Hayes that combines "Alleluia," a simple but powerful chorus by Jerry Sinclair (1943-1993) and "The Majesty and Glory of Your Name," the beloved choral work by American composer Tom Fettke (b. 1941) with text by Linda Lee Johnson. Fettke graduated from Oakland City College and California State University at Hayward, and taught music in California public schools for many years. He also has been extensively involved with church music and is a conductor, arranger, and producer, as well as a co-editor of  The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration (1986) along with the more recent Celebration Hymnal (1997). As you listen to Mark Hayes' artful arrangement of these two songs by Sinclair and Johnson/Fettka, you'll hear delicate textures and soft timbres gradually yield to more volume and complexity, mirroring the way that both songs begin simply but develop a majestic tone as they progress.

He's my Savior, alleluia!
He is worthy, alleluia!
I will praise him, alleluia!
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When I gaze into the night skies
And see the work of Your fingers
The moon and stars suspended in space
Oh what is man that You are mindful of him
You have given man a crown of glory and honor
And have made him a little lower than the angels
You have put him in charge of all creation
The beasts of the field the birds of the air
The fish of the sea but what is man
Oh what is man that You are mindful of him

O Lord our God
The majesty and glory of Your name
Transcends the earth and fills the heavens
O Lord our God
Little children praise You perfectly
And so would we and so would we
Chorus

Alleluia alleluia
The majesty and glory of Your name

CCLI Song # 18871

Linda Lee Johnson | Tom Fettke
© 1979 Curb Wordspring Music (Admin. by W.C.M. Music Corp.)
Curb Word Music (Admin. by WC Music Corp.)

For use solely with the SongSelect® Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com

CCLI License # 419384

HYMNS TO SING ANYWHERE
(transposed to easily singable keys!)

Give to Our God Immortal Praise



Words by Isaac Watts, Music by John Hatton ("Duke Street" hymn tune)

Psalm 136:1-9
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

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We've spent many weeks on Notes of Glory enjoying the marvelous hymn of Isaac Watts (1674-1748), who is often described as the "Father of English Hymnody."  Watts wrote hundreds of hymns directly inspired by the Psalms, but also added phrases that pointed singers to Christ. This inclusion of New Testament material was, surprisingly, innovative for that period in English church history, when congregational singing was almost exclusively Psalm-based.  In "Give to Our God Immortal Praise," Watts used Psalm 136 as the foundation for his hymn, which appeared in the collection  Psalms of David in 1719.  Watts encourages Christians to sing praise to God, using the phrase "repeat his mercies in your song" to remind us to exalt God for his essential goodness as well as for his countless good and kind acts toward us. 

Hymns from this period in church music history were sung to various tunes in a mix-and-match fashion.  Here is "Give to our God Immortal Praise" sung to "Duke Street" by John Hatton (1710-1793). This tune is best known for its connection with "Jesus Shall Reign," another Watts hymn which we sang together here on January 17.  We also sang "Duke Street" even more recently, with Charles Wesley's benediction/missional hymn  "Forth in thy Name, O Lord, I Go" on February 7.  As you can see and hear, "Duke Street" is definitely an all-purpose kind of tune!  If you are perhaps unfamiliar with this melody, here's a recording of "Give to our God Immortal Praise" matched with "Duke Street," sung by the Haven Quartet.    Feel free to listen, and then sing along with the piano accompaniment below.
 




Give to our God immortal praise;
mercy and truth are all his ways:
wonders of grace to God belong;
repeat his mercies in your song.

He built the earth, he spread the sky,
and fixed the starry lights on high:
wonders of grace to God belong;
repeat his mercies in your song.

He fills the sun with morning light;
he bids the moon direct the night:
his mercies ever shall endure,
when suns and moons shall shine no more.

He sent his Son with pow'r to save
from guilt and darkness and the grave:
wonders of grace to God belong;
repeat his mercies in your song.

Through this vain world he guides our feet,
and leads us to his heav'nly seat:
his mercies ever shall endure,
when this vain world shall be no more.

But wait, there's more!  

Remember when I mentioned "various tunes?"  Well, "Give to our God Immortal Praise" has also been frequently matched with another lovely tune that I just had to include today, "Warrington" by British composer and minister John Harrison (1748-1810). "Warrington" was included in Harrison's 1786 collection of psalm tunes, Sacred Harmony (you can see the original book here: "Warrington" is found on page 40.)  It's such a gorgeous melody!  You can hear Watts' tune sung to "Warrington" in this recording by the Coventry Singers. Also, here's a version from an album featuring Billy Graham Crusade Choirs through the years. Notice in the printed music below that the words are a bit different from the "Duke Street" setting above: Watts originally wrote this hymn with eight (!) stanzas which are usually not all included in most hymnals, so different editions include different verses. 

I've recorded piano accompaniments for both of these versions of "Give to our God Immortal Praise" so that you can choose the one you prefer, OR sing both. This is such a powerful hymn of praise with such exquisitely crafted poetry: for more information and a wonderful discussion of this hymn's history featuring Dr. Ligon Duncan, Dr. Derek Thomas, and Dr. Bill Wymond see this link:







God Leads Us Along



Words and Music by George A. Young 

Psalm 23:1-3
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

Psalm 121:5-8
The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.

Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.

Isaiah 48:17
Thus says the Lord,
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you to profit,
who leads you in the way you should go.
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God is our most excellent leader, and shows us how and where to walk in faith, lighting the path ahead for us. In fair or stormy weather, joy or sorrow, he lovingly guides us and never leaves or forsakes us. This immensely comforting truth is reflecting in many hymns, including "He Leadeth Me," and  'Lead Me Lord" "All the Way My Savior Leads Me," and "Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us," all featured here on Notes of Glory over the past year. 

"God Leads Us Along" is another hymn that speaks of how we can depend on the Lord to direct our steps each day. It was written by George A. Young (c. 1855-1935), a mostly unknown American itinerant preacher and carpenter. Author Robert J. Morgan notes in Then Sings My Soul, Book 2 that George Young and his wife were often quite poor but dedicated their lives to serving the Lord and spreading the Gospel. They frequently testified that "He does the leading, and we do the following."   After saving enough money to buy land and build a small house, they continued to travel in the rural Midwest as evangelists, but returned home after one particular ministry trip to found their home destroyed, set on fire by someone who had been offended by George's preaching. 

According to Robert Morgan, "As George gazed at the ruins, he recounted the previous possessions fire could never destroy--his family, his relationship with Christ, his ministry, his eternal home. There and then, the words to 'God Leads Us Along' began forming in his mind." 

Many years later, Haldor Lillenas (1856-1929), composer of "Wonderful Grace of Jesus," embarked on a search to find out more about the composer of "God Leads Us Along." Lillenas was shocked to find George Young's widow living in a a county poor house, but observed that she "radiated the joy of the Lord" as she shared memories along with the news that her evangelistic ministry was very much alive! 

My husband and I were married while we were very young. God gave us a wonderful life together; he led us from day to day. We had so much of Jesus. But then God took my husband. Now God has led me here, and I'm so excited and glad about it! God has used me in this place. Isn't it wonderful that God leads his children day by day and step by step? Many people come to this place and they are so sad and in such great need. They need help and comfort. I have been able to cheer many of them and lead scores of them to the Lord Jesus Christ. How thankful I am that God has brought me to this place, where I can be of so much help to these people!

This encouraging hymn is here for you to sing and enjoy today: if you are unfamiliar with "God Leads Us Along" you can listen to these recordings by Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Gaither Vocal Band, and The Blackwood Brothers.  Then give it a try yourself, using the piano accompaniment and the sheet music below. 






In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet,
God leads His dear children along;
Where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet,
God leads His dear children along.

Refrain:
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.

Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,
God leads His dear children along;
Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night,
God leads His dear children along.

Though sorrows befall us and evils oppose,
God leads His dear children along;
Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,
God leads His dear children along.

Away from the mire, and away from the clay,
God leads His dear children along;
Away up in glory, eternity’s day,
God leads His dear children along.

Lord Dismiss Us With Your Blessing



Words attributed to John Fawcett. "Sicilian Mariners" traditional hymn tune

Ephesians 1:3-6
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

Hebrews 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.
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A benediction or blessing ("benedictus" in Latin) dates to the Old Testament era, with plentiful biblical precedent including Numbers 6:24-26 where Aaron and his sons share these words with the Israelites: 

The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.

The New Testament includes many benedictory statements, including this one from Ephesians 6:23-24.

Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.
 
Here's a beautiful benedictory hymn from English theologian, pastor and hymn writer John Fawcett (1739-1817) who was coverted to Christianity at age 16 by the evangelical preaching of George Whitefield in England. Fawcett is also the author of "Blest Be the Tie That Binds" which itself has become a hymn associated with times of  leaving or departure. John Fawcett authored a number of publications including a collection titled Hymns Adapted to the Circumstances of Public Worship and Private Devotion, which you can view here.  It's always fascinating to look at hymnals written before about 1900: they often look just like a book of poetry. 

"Lord, dismiss us with your blessing" is a prayer asking God to bestow peace and joy, protection, and direction. As we sing Fawcett's hymn, we thank God for the "gospel's joyful sound" and ask for his help so that we may live faithfully. 

The sheet music shared here only has two of the four verses of the actual hymn: here are the other two. 

Of your love some gracious token
grant us, Lord, before we go;
bless your word which has been spoken,
life and peace on all bestow.
O direct us and protect us
in the paths we do not know.

So that when your love shall call us,
Savior, from the world away,
let no fear of death appall us,
glad your summons to obey:
may we ever, may we ever
reign with you in endless day.

The tune matched with "Lord, Dismiss Us with your Blessing" may be familiar: it's a traditional  tune titled "Sicilian Mariners" that is sung with the Italian text "O Sanctissima" as well as with the German Christmas carol "O Thou Joyful, O Thou Wonderful."  If "Lord, Dismiss Us" is a new hymn to you, here's a recording of the Trinity Choir of St. Paul's chapel singing it; this will help you "warm up your ears" in preparation for singing it yourself as you enter a fresh new week. 



Lord, dismiss us with your blessing;
fill our hearts with joy and peace;
let us each, your love possessing,
triumph in redeeming grace.
O refresh us, O refresh us,
trav'ling through this wilderness.

Thanks we give and adoration
for your gospel's joyful sound:
may the fruits of your salvation
in our hearts and lives abound:
ever faithful, ever faithful
to the truth may we be found.

POSTLUDE
(to send you forth with joy!)

Standing on the Promises


Words and Music by R. Kelso Carter, solo piano arrangement by Bernadine Johnson

Ephesians 6:14-15
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

2 Corinthians 1:20
For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

1 John 2:25
And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.

2 Peter 1:4
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
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Back in October 2020, we sang "Standing on the Promises" together, and today I'll be sharing this classic hymn once again, this time as a piano solo arrangement by composer, arranger, and pianist Bernadine Johnson.  It would be putting it mildly to say this arrangement is quite "upbeat"...listen and you'll see what I mean!  I'm re-sharing the information about the composer and history of this hymn from the original post.
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Russell Kelso Carter (1849-1928), composer of "Standing on the Promises" was a man of many talents and unique interests. He graduated from the Pennsylvania Military Academy in 1867 with a degree in civil engineering. Carter continued at the academy as a teacher of math and engineering: in the midst of his teaching career there he took a three-year sabbatical to raise sheep in California. During this period, Carter developed a heart condition and turned to God for healing and hope.

Carter recovered and was ordained as a Methodist minister. He then changed careers yet again when he studied medicine and became a physician, setting up his practice in Baltimore, Maryland.  He was a prolific writer on many subjects and also composed the words and music for over 52 hymns (as well as supplying tunes for 44 hymn texts written by others). "Standing on the Promises" was composed in 1886 while Carter was teaching at the military academy and the song was published the same year in the collection Songs of Perfect Love.  Many commenters have noted that Carter's upbeat, rhythmically dynamic tune is reminiscent of military music popular at that time (this musical influence is not surprising since he wrote the hymn during his teaching tenure at the Pennsylvania Military Academy).



Standing on the promises of Christ, my King,
Through eternal ages let his praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.

Refrain:
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God, my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I'm standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises that cannot fail.
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]

Standing on the promises of Christ, the Lord,
Bound to him eternally by love's strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword,
Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]

Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
List'ning ev'ry moment to the Spirit's call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God. [Refrain]

Here's a playlist featuring all the music from today's post. 


YOUR COMMENTS ON THE MINISTRY OF HYMNS/SONGS

Here are two comments in response to the invitation for feedback last week about which hymns God has used to minister to you over the past year!

Hello! I’d like to share how singing “Wondrous Grace of Jesus” on “Notes of Glory” ministered to me. I have struggled with condemnation, a feeling of ungodly guilt or distance from God because of my past transgressions. With it, condemnation brought to me despondency, a feeling which sapped me, even down to my physical strength. But condemnation is not of the Spirit of God. It was for me a result of a mindset which thought that some amount of good works or abstinence from sin brought me closer to God. This was wrong! Faith brings me close to God, and by His grace, my past transgressions are not counted against me. It is by grace through faith that I am saved, and when God’s grace takes away my burden and sets my spirit free, I find great joy in my salvation; grace is an unfathomable miracle! For me, singing “Wonderful Grace of Jesus” was an act of meditation which took my focus off of my past faults and onto Jesus’ mercy. Music and singing always touches me in a spiritually unique way, and the upbeat spirit of this hymn helped me feel the joy of God’s forgiveness. Oftentimes, I hear the tune ringing in my head, and I think about the text which echoes with it, a comforting message of the wonderful grace of Jesus.  
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Great Is Thy Faithfulness. I've always loved this hymn but it has special meaning for me the past 11 years. When my children were babies and I would be rocking them back to sleep in the night, this hymn always came to mind to sing to them. I loved to think about God's faithfulness in my life and pray that my kids would always know Him throughout their lives.
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