The reign of Christ compels us

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 LLANGLOFFAN, Welsh folk melody; Llwybrau Moliant, 1872.

 

 

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.

God of the psalmists

God of the psalmists, who calls our hearts to sing, 

We lift our praises to you in everything.

In days of joy and times of mirth and even in sorrow’s shade,

We sing our songs of gratitude for all of the world that you have made.

 

Yes, God, we praise you with voices and with more; 

Horn, flute, and trumpet your praises will outpour.

With resonating of the bells and clashing cymbals high

We lift to you, our living Lord, all praise from the land and sea and sky.

 

Pipes of the organ and bright piano strings,

Loud stirring drums, too, and quiet, softer things,

All strings now plucked and strummed and bowed resound in praise to you,

Our God, the source of all good gifts and giver of songs both old and new.

 

Music we offer in praises and in prayer,

Even as we yearn for the time that you prepare,

When all our song and all our praise we offer face to face

In time unending that you give in all of your mercy, love, and grace.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, June 2021.

MUSIC: Suggested tune SYMPHONY, Johannes Brahms, 1877; arr. Fred Bock, 1976. Arrangement copyright 1976 Fred Bock Music Co. All rights reserved. (Therefore, not reprinted here.)

 

The text came forth after the happy accident of hearing the Brahms Symphony No. 1 finale (from which this tune is adapted) on the radio.

 

There are no walls around this table

There are no walls around this table,

No fence to climb, no gate to bar.

The One who calls us all is able

To welcome all from near and far. 

See how Christ calls us all together

To take the bread and share one cup!

He draws us in the Spirit’s tether

To hold us fast and lift us up.

 

As Jesus shared at that first table

With those he called and then called friends,

So now he leads us to enable

All folk to share this meal that mends.

There is no guard or sentry posted,

No keeper there to block the way; 

There’s just one table that is hosted

By One who bids us come and stay.

 

And there’s no border ‘round this table; 

All whom the Spirit calls may come. 

Whatever color, love, or label,

Our Lord calls all and not just some.

There are no walls around this table,

No fence to climb, no gate to bar. 

The One who calls us all is able

To welcome all from near and far.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, June 2021.

MUSIC: Tune WAYFARING STRANGER, American folk melody. 

A week of listening to headlines about religious authorities of differing-yet-similar types working as hard as they can to exclude some people – even from the table – produced this admittedly radical statement about who exactly is welcome at the table, and who I as pastor have the authority to turn away.

Who then is this

Who then is this, that wind and sea obey?

Who is this one, who swirling storm can stay?

See how the danger now has passed away!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

Who then is this, so calm amidst the waves,

Who takes his rest, while tempest ‘round him raves? 

Awake at last, with his own word he saves!

Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

Who then is this, whom crowds have flocked to see?

This teacher, healer, from whom demons flee; 

What is his call? What can his mission be?

Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

This is the Christ, the Son of God most high!

Baptized and tested, hear his calling cry:

“See how the kingdom of our God is nigh!”

Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, June 2021; after Mark 4:35-41 and earlier verses.

MUSIC: Tune SINE NOMINE, Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906.

 

 

The gospel reading for Proper 7B (fourth Sunday after Pentecost this year) culminates with this awed question from the disciples after Jesus has calmed the storm on the sea. The answer, ultimately, is found at the beginning of Mark’s gospel, where Jesus is introduced as the Son of God, where his baptism and temptation are noted, and where his proclamation of the kingdom of God is first stated.

How dear is our vacation, Lord (parody)

How dear is our vacation, Lord, when once it’s time to go!

To leave town, to evacuate, to spend our Sunday sleeping late, 

And learn the power of “no”! When can we make it so?

 

But if, forgetful, we have not made reservations yet,

If churchly pressures fray the mind and mental functions now unwind,

Then help us to reset and cast a wider net.

 

At last! The hour has finally come, the time to get away

To sandy beach or mountain mist – too many vacations to list – 

Behold vacation day! Hip-hip, hoorah, hurray!

 

And now can we luxuriate and cut loose every care?

O let our weary souls abide in rest we have too oft denied;

Lay down the weight we bear, our inward souls repair.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, June 2021 (after “How Clear is Our Vocation, Lord”)

MUSIC: Tune REPTON, C. Hubert H. Parry, 1888.

 

 

This is a parody. That doesn’t mean it isn’t urgently serious sometimes.

When seed that is scattered

When seed that is scattered is growing and blooming

While we are at rest or at work in the day – 

First stalk and then flower, then grain in due power – 

We see how the Kingdom moves out in this way.

 

When seed of such small size spreads out and finds nurture, 

Now growing and casting its shade far and wide,

We learn how the Kingdom comes, fruitful and winsome,

With shelter for all of creation inside.

 

Now this is the kingdom of God in our living;

It flourishes even as we do not know.

Praise God, our Creator, whose giving is greater,

Whose Kingdom gives shelter to flourish and grow.

 

 

TEXT: Charies Spence Freeman, June 2021, after Mark 4:26-34.

MUSIC: Tune KREMSER, Neder-landisch Gedenck-Clanck; 1626; harm. Eduard Kremser, 1877.

 

 

The lectionary reading for Pentecost 3B offers up seed metaphors for our reflection. Somehow this time around the image of birds being able to take shelter in the shade of the mustard-seed shrub jumped out. The words of each stanza fit to the final phrase slightly differently than the usual texts paired with this tune.