(First time here? Read the Introduction for more information)
Another themed Sunday! This week's theme is Labor Day and we're celebrating work and vocations. Everyone is invited to bring a symbol of their work to place on the alter.
Opening Hymn: Moved By the Gospel, Let Us Move G-491
This is an example of why it's a good idea to have an open mind and listen to the input of others. I had a different song selected, but it wasn't familiar and it really wasn't that great. So one of my choir members suggested "Moved By the Gospel, Let Us Move" and it was perfect:
Moved by the Gospel, let us move with every gift and art
The image of creative love indwells each human heart
The Maker calls creation good, so let us now express
With sound and color, stone and wood, the shape of holiness
Let weavers form from broken strands a tapestry of prayer
Let artists paint with skillful hands their joy, lament, and care
Then mime the story, Christ has come, with reverence dance the word
With flute and organ, chime and drum, God's praise be ever heard
O Spirit, breathe among us here, inspire the work we do
May hands and voices, eye and ear attest to life made new
In worship and in daily strife create among us still
Great Artist, form our common life according to your will
I couldn't find a video or recording of this song online, but the tune has been used in other hymns. Here is a nice recording of someone playing this tune on the hammered dulcimer: Kingsfold
Sequence Hymn: Come to Me G-459
The Gospel reading this week comes from Luke 14. Jesus says that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. I was probably an adult before I realized that humbling yourself doesn't mean putting yourself down - we all know someone who insults themselves just to hear others compliment them - but rather being selfless and putting the needs of others before your own.
I found this hymn by looking in the topical index under "humility." I don't think I would have found it otherwise - it's in the Comfort section of the Gather hymnal, and "comfort" is not a keyword I would have assigned to this passage of scripture. But it's the verses that drew me to select it for this week.
1. All who labor and are burdened, let them come to me and I will give them rest
2. Take my yoke upon your shoulders, come and learn from me, for I am gentle of heart
3. For the heart I hold is humble, and my yoke is easy, my burden light, and you will find rest for your souls
So the first verse ties in to the theme for the whole Sunday (labor) and the third verse ties in to the Gospel passage (humility). You can listen to it here.
Offertory Anthem: Lord, When You Came (Pescador de Hombres)
This is a favorite of mine, although I know a slightly different translation than the one that seems to be most common. But it still makes the same point:
Lord, when you came to the seashore you weren't seeking the wise or the wealthy
But only asking that I might follow
Refrain:
O Lord, in my eyes you were gazing, kindly smiling, my name you were saying
All I treasured I have left on the sand there. Close to you, I will find other seas
Lord, have you need of my labor, hands for service, a heart made for loving
My arms for lifting the poor and broken?
Lord, send me where you would have me, to a village or heart of the city
I will remember that you are with me
I will expound on this more next week when we sing an anthem with some similar themes, but I confess that I didn't have some big "call" to ministry (well, I did grow up Baptist and so I thought I had a call to ministry a time or two but that's because you can't go to a Baptist youth event without either rededicating your life or expressing a call to ministry.) I was asked by my church to step in as the music director and the rest, as they say, is history. I like this particular song because it's not asking for us to be expert theologians or brilliant ministers, but simply to say, "Yes, God, I will follow you." I have hands - I can offer them for God's service. Unlike applying for jobs and tailoring your resume to make it seem like you and you alone were created for that job, all God asks is that you be available.
(Listen to it here)
Communion Hymn: We Plow the Fields and Scatter H-291
This is more of a thanksgiving hymn, but I really liked it for Labor Day, and I liked it for Communion. We humans grow the grain and the grapes that become the bread and the wine, but we are not the ones who turn them into a holy ceremony. Our work can only take us so far, and God does the rest. "We plow the fields and scatter the good seed on the land, but it is fed and watered by God's almighty hand."
Recessional: Come, Labor On H-541
This one is probably the most obvious selection for this particular Sunday. It's right there in the title, "Come, Labor On." This hymn pretty much sums up what I've already said - you don't have to be amazing, you just have to be available.
A variation on 1 Corinthians 10:31 - "Whether you teach or are a student, whether you work in an office or outside, whether you're in entertainment or finance or waste management, whether you work nights or days, whether you make lots of money or a little, do it all for the glory of God!"
Happy Labor Day - hope to see you on Sunday!
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