Hymns----6/19/2017

The Shenandoah Music Camp program folder contained the words to all the songs--a feature I highly recommend whenever a program is presented.  I used it throughout the entire event, and can't imagine having been without it.  Since then I've gone over the songs here at home, minus the music of course.  Only a few songs were familiar, which I will highlight here:

My Life Flows On--Text and music:  Robert Lowry--I've heard this before, but don't have the music.
Shine On Us--Text and music:  Michael and Deborah Smith--Ditto above.

From Hymns of the Church:
#63--Abide With Me, 'Tis Eventide--Lu. 24:29--Emmaus Road imagery describing a Christian's day of walking with God.  Lovely melding of words and melody.
#904--Teach Me Thy Truth--Rom. 12:1--Text:  Edith Witmer, Walter E. Yoder.  (Yoder helped compile one of the earlier Mennonite-published hymnals, if my memory is accurate.)  Lloyd Kauffman used this song to illustrate how well-written songs can encapsulate great, nearly comprehensive truths.  He also mentioned a related verse that was precious to his mother, who died in her early 40s.

In church yesterday (Shane leading)--

Opening Songs (both sung once before this year):

#89--Holy God, We Praise Thy Name--Ps. 47:2--This song has been sung often by the Kansas Mennonite Men's Chorus--which numbered as many as 500 people.  They present a program every year as a fundraiser for MCC.  Traces the history of praise, the present reality, and the eventuality--in heaven.

#9--A Gladsome Hymn of Praise--Ps. 107:8--Lilting and joyful.

During the devotional meditation--

#58--Still, Still With Thee--Ps. 16:11--This was a fitting part of a meditation acknowledging the extreme busyness that many of us are caught up in, especially those who are farmers, and the necessity of leaving it all behind in order to worship.  (It's wheat harvest and haying season.)

#475--I Will Abide in Thy Dwelling Place--Ps. 61:2--We sang only the first verse during devotions, and the remaining verses later, as Sunday School ended and people gathered. I'm always pleased when I hear the descant on this song, but I'm  not brave enough to attempt it.  I've loved this song ever since I heard from one of his nephews that John Overholt wrote this song during a time of feeling . . . . betrayed perhaps? . . . after his ministerial role was taken away (I know nothing of the circumstances.).  The soaring notes in the descant may have been written to feature the "perfect" soprano voice of John's wife Vera.  (The "perfect" adjective comes from a college voice instructor who told her she didn't need him--when she showed up for her lessons.)  For me this song speaks too of a man's love for his wife.  Did we really sing this song only once this year as my record shows?

Transition Song:

#516--Savior, Who Died For Me--Rom. 12:1 (This is the verse from one of the above songs as well--#904.)  A song of consecration.

Offering Song (First verse only--sung by heart):

#102--Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah--Ps. 148:1:--Yes!  Giving and praising go together.

Closing Song

#359--Father Eternal, Ruler of Creation--Mt. 28:19,20--In some of the references to fatherhood in the sermon, Gary referred to the brokenness of life on earth, some of which is revealed in those who parent.  Because this song also describes a great deal of brokenness, to accentuate the meaning of the words, we sang the three middle verses in unison, and verses 1 and 5--and always the chorus--in harmony.  What a relief to be turning our minds repeatedly to "Thy kingdom come, O Lord, Thy will be done."