Three years ago I was able to attend the Presbyterian Association of Musicians' Worship and Music Conference at Montreat. The preacher for the week was Rev. Cecelia Armstrong. Two of her sermons, on consecutive days, touched off the two hymns noted below. Rev. Armstrong (I have met her but I don't know that I'm close enough to call her CeCe) was just elected Co-Moderator of the 226th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), which makes this a Presbyterian-style "brush with fame" for me, I guess.
The reign of Christ compels us to bear a witness true
To glorify our Savior in all we say and do.
The Lord, who in our living is sovereign above all,
Compels and draws us always to live into this call.
As Christ first bore good witness to God’s almighty power,
So we are charged to sound forth in this and every hour.
With calls to truth and justice, with words of peace and love,
We give our testimony to our good God above.
By Spirit’s power unyielding we bear that witness true,
Not just with words but actions that we are called to do.
In work that lifts up God’s own that this world calls “the least,”
We call the world to gather at God’s own holy feast.
For God our king and ruler, all that we have, we give.
Our witness is embodied in every way we live.
So let us join our living to words of love and grace,
That Christ’s own holy justice may reign in every place.
TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, June 2021.
MUSIC: Tune AURELIA, Samuel Sebastian Wesley, 1864.
Original note: This text was provoked by a sermon by Rev. Cecilia Armstrong and service given at the Presbyterian Association of Musicians Worship and Music Conference at Montreat Conference Center in North Carolina on June 29, 2021. The scripture from Revelation 1:4b-8, in particular the reference to Christ as “the faithful witness” in verse 5, provided the starting point for the sermon (at least as I understood it) and this hymn as well. With some references to the Parable of the Sheep and Goats added as the hymn kept developing, it also can be used for Christ the King/Reign of Christ Sunday, Year A.
So Jesus came to Bethany when his dear friend had died,
And Martha, Mary, all their friends, and even Jesus cried.
So those who watched his sorrow flow knew how he loved the man,
But when the tears had shed their last, the miracles began.
Then Jesus told those standing there, “Now roll the stone away.”
Poor Martha’s fears he brushed aside; such doubt could not betray.
Then, lifting up a prayer above that all could see and hear,
Jesus called out to his dear friend, “Oh, Lazarus, come out here!”
Now Lazarus heard the Lord’s command and from his bier did rise.
His body once bound to the earth now stretched out toward the skies.
But still his hands and feet were bound; he could not walk away.
His yearn to flee the yawning tomb the graveclothes did betray.
So Jesus told those standing there to tear those bonds aside.
They loosed the graveclothes, freed the man, his life now open wide.
So when you find the bonds of sin are all you feel and see,
Remember risen Lazarus; remember you are free.
TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, July 2021, after John 11.
MUSIC: Tune SALVATION, Kentucky Harmony, 1816.
Original note: Another hymn provoked by another worship service (same preacher) at the Presbyterian Association of Musicians Worship & Music Conference. I don’t know if it’s the mountain air or what, but things are coming forth this week. The scripture is part of the gospel for Lent 5A, I think, which might be helpful in the future.
