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.

The Holy Spirit fell

The Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the Word

When Peter taught, their hearts were moved, their spirits stirred.

Who can deny? Who can deny the Spirit's work? Who can deny?

 

Believers were amazed to see what God had done.

So, could it be the Spirit comes for everyone? 

Who can deny? Who can deny the Spirit's work? Who can deny?

 

They spoke and praised the Lord with tongues of heaven's fire; 

Is reaching out to all the world our God's desire?

Who can deny? Who can deny the Spirit's work? Who can deny?

 

Then they were all baptized, on whom the Spirit fell.

And how our Savior's holy word did spread and swell!

Who can deny? Who can deny the Spirit's work? Who can deny?

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, April 2024, after Acts 10:44-48.

MUSIC: Tune DARWALL'S 148th, John Darwall, 1770.

 

 

This tight conclusion (although not really; see Acts 11) of an expansive story doesn't seem to invite hymn treatment, but there is an invitation for us to reflect on how we might not always recognize (or want to recognize) the Spirit's moving among us, or others around us.  

 

When God sent Philip

When God sent Philip to a road out in the wilderness,

He went, despite the work he had in this Samaritan town.

Are we so ready to move on, without great bitterness, 

When God calls us out from a place where we have settled down?

 

When Philip saw a chariot near and heard a prophet's words,

The Spirit sent him to join in and witness to the Way.

Are we prepared to join in as the Spirit undergirds

A seeker's search for healing hope for living out the day?

 

When Philip had baptized the man with gladness and with joy,

He found himself again removed to yet another place.

Are we so ready for this work, to serve and to enjoy?

Lord, make us witnesses to you in this and every place.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, April 2024, after Acts 8:26-40.

MUSIC: Tune KINGSFOLD, English Country Songs, 1893; 

            harmonization Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906.

 

 

Philip's trail through Acts 8 is brief but meteoric; from Samaria to that wilderness road to Azotus, zip-zip-zip. Would we even be remotely ready for that kind of divine deployment? Philip just does the work he finds before him. May we, with the Spirit's help, be so steady.

When Peter and John at the Temple

When Peter and John at the Temple were held, 

The Spirit stayed with them and all fear dispelled. 

They knew even then that they were not alone,

But stood firm and fast upon God's cornerstone.

 

The Temple's own leaders did question them sore, 

"What power do you claim for this act we abhor?"

They answered "This power is in Jesus alone;

The one crucified is the true cornerstone."

 

The Temple officials warned them not to say 

That Jesus alone healed this man in this way.

But they would not answer to humans alone, 

But only to Jesus, the real cornerstone. 

 

Then Peter and John were dismissed from their sight,

Set free from to go forth into day's gladdening light. 

They knew deep inside they were never alone,

But stood firm in Jesus, the one cornerstone.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, April 2024, after Acts 4.

MUSIC: Tune ST. DENIO, Welsh folk melody.

 

 

After some time struggling with the Easter 4B reading from Acts 4, the idea of following up on the previous hymn for Easter 3B, from Acts 3, bringing back the tune used for that hymn as well, finally loosened the mind to make more or less a sequel hymn. 

Comes the darkness

Comes the darkness, comes the night, 
Comes the time for human rest. 
Daily rush is put to flight, 
Though sometimes our minds protest,
And such cares are put away
‘Til the breaking of the day.

Yet for some this is untrue;
Darkness brings no time for sleep.
Labor that must yet be done, 
Midnight work hours forced to keep:
Hear our prayers this eventide,
With these workers, Lord, abide.

Night for some can bring no peace, 
Due to tortures of the mind.
Darkness will not bring release;
Only torment they will find.
Jesus, bring rest to their souls, 
‘Gainst the struggling mind’s controls.

Loneliness, another foe
Keeping weary hearts awake. 
Partners pass and children grow;
Left alone, no rest to take. 
Holy Spirit, rest and stay;
Drive such loneliness away.

For these to whom rest’s denied, 
Guide them and protect them well. 
We who now seek slumber’s tide
Let this resting night excel, 
So that we, at morning’s light,
May serve those of sleepless night.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, April 2024.

MUSIC: TUNE REDHEAD 76, Richard Redhead, 1853.

 

 

In essence, a prayer for those who don't get to sleep at night. Partly inspired after the Baltimore bridge disaster, perhaps?