by the Rev. William P. McLemore
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS: Both Deuteronomy 30:15-20 and Sirach 15:15-20 encourage obedience to the Ten Commandments. I Corinthians 3:1-9 recounts Paul chastising the church at Corinth for “jealousy and quarreling” among themselves. The Gospel reading (Matthew 5:21-37) has Jesus reminding people about the importance of reconciliation and shunning adultery.
THE HYMNS:
PROCESSIONAL HYMN: No. 594. “God of Grace and God of Glory.” Harry Emerson Fosdick wrote this hymn in 1930 for the dedication of the Riverside Church in New York City. It was first sung at the opening service, October 5, 1930, and at the dedication on February 8, 1931. The tune, ‘Cum Rhondda’ was composed by John Hughes. The hymn is a great one to begin our worship by asking God to “Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, serving thee whom we adore.”
THE SEQUENCE HYMN: No. 404. “We Will Extol You, Ever Blessed Lord.” This hymn is attributed to a J. Nichol Grieve and is based on Psalm 145. I couldn’t find any information on this person and the hymnal lists no dates. The tune is the “Old 124th” and was harmonized by Charles Winfred Douglas (1867-1944).
PRESENTATION HYMN: No. 440. “Blessed Jesus at Thy Word.” This hymn was written in German by Tobias Clausnitzer (1619-1684) and translated by Catherine Winkworth who was a very notable English song writer and translator. She is also known for her passionate and ardent support of women in higher education. The tune, Leibster Jesu” is a melody by Johann Rudolph Ahle (1625-1673) and later harmonized by George Herbert Palmer in the early 20th century.
COMMUNION HYMN: No. 304. “I Come With Joy.” This hymn is a product of the Rev. Dr. Brian A. Wren, born in Britain on June 3, 1936 and a minister and scholar of the United Reformed Church. Most recently he was the Conant Professor of Worship, Columbia Theological Seminary, in Decatur, Georgia. He wrote this hymn in 1971 with Hope Publishing Company holding the copyright. The tune is an American folk melody.
RECESSIONAL HYMN: No. 347. “Go Forth for God.” This hymn, written by John Raphael Peacey, is new to this 1982 Hymnal. The hymn is assigned to the Holy Eucharist section of the hymnal as it encourages us to go forth from the holy sacrament in peace, love, strength and joy. The final verse comes from those who have tasted the love of the transfigured Savior: “Go forth for God; go to the world in joy; to serve God’s people every day and hour, and serving Christ, our every gift employ, rejoicing in the Holy Spirit’s power.”
