The Sabbath day was made

The Sabbath day was made to serve the needs of humankind;

We are not made to serve the day nor how it is designed.

This day was made for human good in body, soul, and mind; 

Oh, let us keep this day to serve the needs of humankind.

 

How shall we keep the Sabbath day? How shall we do God's will?

Are we to act to help or harm? Are we to heal or kill?

This day is meant to bring us life, our yearning souls to fill; 

Oh, we shall keep the Sabbath day and do our God's good will.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, May 2024, after Mark 2:23-3:6.

MUSIC: Tune KINGSFOLD, English Country Songs, 1893; 

       harmonization Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906.

 

 

The gospel reading here appears on the second Sunday after Pentecost, year B, but only under certain conditions, apparently. That is, it doesn't come up every year B, and resources for it are sometimes hard to find, hymns included. Well, here's one.

On Pentecost

On Pentecost the followers all gathered in one place,

When Holy Spirit fell on them and wholly filled the space.

Divided tongues like flaming fire anointed each one there,

And languages they did not know poured forth like earnest prayer.

 

Outside the place where they had met a crowd was gathering 'round,

And wonder filled their minds and hearts at this outpouring sound.

"How can we hear this word ring out in language that we know?"

But some made fun and called them drunk, in words both mean and low.

 

Peter stepped out to give the word, and facing all of them,

Said "This is not a drunken spree; it's only nine a.m.!

No, this is what the prophet told in words from long ago:

God pours the Spirit on all flesh for all the world to know."

 

Those who had heard this prophet-word were stricken to the core;

They longed to hear this holy news and clamored to learn more.

Three thousand souls were added to the followers that day,

All joining in the sacred work of following the Way.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, May 2024, after Acts 2.

MUSIC: Tune SALVATION, Kentucky Harmony, 1816.

 

 

A hymn for Pentecost. The tune is an old shape-note tune that seemed somehow appropriate for the outbreaking of the Holy Spirit in brash and unrelenting fashion. 

Teach us to wait, Lord

Teach us to wait, Lord, teach us to wait 

Like the disciples seeking their fate

After Ascension, as Jesus said; 

Wait for the Spirit, wait to be led.

 

Teach us to wait, Lord, teach us to wait - 

Not get discouraged, not hesitate; 

But fix our hearts on seeking God's will,

Prayerful and patient, yielded and still.

 

Teach us to wait, Lord, teach us to wait,

Knowing the Sprit's power is great. 

Pentecost, peril, protest, or praise; 

Lord, make us ready for coming days.

 

Teach us to wait, Lord, teach us to wait,

To seek the pathway narrow and straight

So that not our will but yours be done; 

Lord, make us ready. Lord, make us one. 

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, May 2024, 

              after Acts 1:15-17, 21-26,

MUSIC: Tune ADELAIDE, George C. Stebbins, 1907.

 

 

Trying to make hymn verse out of this passage would be a bit like trying to set meeting minutes to music. Waiting as a practice necessary for the disciples at this point offers a way in to an instruction the church can sing.