Church Music

Entrance: Christ be Our Light  (Farrell) AOV 2/3

Gifts: A Trusting Psalm (Bates) AOV 1/115

Communion: Beatitudes (Balhoff/Ducotte)

Recessional: A New Heart for a New World   (O’Brien/Watts) AOV 1/158

From St Peter’s Rochedale, my previous parish:

Entrance: Come, Now is the Time to Worship (Doerksen) AOV NG 29

Gifts: Seek Ye First (Lafferty) AOV 1/48

Communion: Shepherd Me O God (Haugen) AOV 1/33

Recessional: Sing of the Lord’s Goodness   (Sands) AOV 1/131

St Peter’s Rochedale selected:

I’m not sure if this song is much use outside of a Marist Brothers context, as you probably have to know who Marcellin Champagnat was. That’s a pity as it is sprightly pop tune of merit written by Marist brother Michael Herry.

The sheet music is available for free in the collection, “God of Surprises.” You can hear a performance of the song at the same site.

Refrain

Fan into a flame the love of God; follow Marcellin’s dream.

Hearing now the call, “Come follow me”. Live the dream today.

1 God’s gift is lost on the timid of heart;

For those shamed by standing with Christ.

But the Spirit of God will embolden your heart

To live the light of Christ.

2 Why leave your boats lying moored by the shore,

All safe and secure at their rest.

Instead set your sails for the waters far and deep,

And there put down your nets.

3 I am the vine and the branches are:

Remain in my life ev’ry day.

With a song in your heart, build me kingdom on earth,

One family of love.

ⓒ 2008 Michael Herry

For background:

This is a song especially for Trinity Sunday by Michael Herry, that is also a more general hymn of praise. The tune is French traditional but I’d be glad if someone could identify the melody beyond that.

The sheet music is available for free at Marist Music, where you can listen to his version.

1 O God of the moon and stars, you sing your song in our hearts;

Receive our worship and praise, O loving presence, all our days.

2 O Godhead three in one, O Father, Spirit and Son,

Your loves flows over to human kind; our lives with you now one.

Bridge 1

In flaming bush, and pillar of cloud you revealed your name.

Now through your Word in Jesus Christ we acclaim your reign.

3 We gather here as one, and pray with Jesus your Son,

O Abba, Father, O love eternal since dawn of time begun.

Bridge 2

We hold in trust the presence of Jesus, your Word made flesh,

Answering now his invitation to life afresh.

4 O Godhead, three in one, O Father, Spirit and Son,

Your love flows over to human kind; our lives with you now one.

ⓒ 2008 Michael Herry

I’m still in Michael Herry‘s collection, “God of Surprises” and have come to what he describes as a song for world youth. It is an exhortation to evangelise by deed sung from the point of view of Jesus.

As with all the music at his site, the sheet music can be downloaded for nothing.

This song has two harmony lines in the refrain that I ignore in my backing.

1 I am sending you out in my name to all the world.

Travel lightly, taking only sandals and staff.

I am sending you out in my name to all the world.

Be filled with Gospel fire, the light of the world.

Refrain

Light a fire on the earth, a fire on the earth.

Be seized by the love of God, a fire on the earth.

Light a fire on the earth, a fire on the earth.

Be the hands and feet of Christ to all the world.

2 By the pow’e of the Holy Spirit set your sails.

Cast out deeply, fearing not the wind and waves.

Live your lives in witness to me before the worlds.

Take heart, for I am with you all your days.

3 Be my light to all the world for all to see;

Shine out brightly doing all for love of me.

And rejoice when the road is rough and days are long.

Take heart, for I’ll be with you in your song.

ⓒ 2008 Michael Herry

Entrance: Gather As One  (McKenna) AOV NG 48

Gifts: Come to the Water (Andersen) AOV 1/74

Communion: Bread of Heaven  (Manibusan-Hart)

Recessional: Canticle of the Sun (Haugen) AOV 1/3

St Peter’s Rochedale:

This is Michael Herry‘s fine take on the Beatitudes (Luke 6:17, 20-26).

The chorus is metrical in Eb and the verses are chant style in B. It is a good example of his unconventional yet memorable melodies. I’m still trying to figure out how he manages the key change back into the refrain with a sneaky sustained chord.

The sheet music is available in the collection “God of Surprises” at Marist Music where you can also hear the song.

Normally I won’t touch chant in BIAB but I found if I slowed down the verses and made the notes triplets, it fitted well enough.

Chorus

Blest are they who know their need of God,

Those whose eyes can see beyond horizons.

Blest are they who mourn at what they see,

Yet who strive in in hope for all that can be.

1 Happy are you who are poor; yours is the kingdom of heaven.

Happy are you now hungry; you shall have food in abundance.

2 Happy are you who weep now; your hearts will be filled with laughter.

Happy are you who mourn now; know that your joy will be full.

3 Happy are you now rejected; when held to account for my name.

Rejoice when that day comes, for your reward will be great in heaven.

I won’t be playing this week as I have to go out of town to do a course but I’ll put up selections for my future reference.

Entrance: As a Fire is Meant for Burning  (Duck) GA 881

Gifts:  The Cry of the Poor (Foley) AOV 1/83  

Communion: Come to the Table (Burland) AOV NG 33

Recessional: We Are Many Parts  (Haugen) AOV 1/86

St Peter’s Rochedale chose:

This one is a version of a John Bell song for which Michael Herry adapted the text. It is obviously a gathering song.

The tune changes key every two verses and can be done as call and response. I can’t find the Bell original anywhere so I don’t know how much adaptation has gone on here.

The sheet music is available for free at Marist music where you can hear the song.

I made a backing.

1 Sent from God who loves us, Jesus Christ.

Heralded by prophets, Jesus Christ!

For a world that waited, Jesus Christ:

We gather in his name.

2 Word of God the Father, Jesus Christ.

From the womb of Mary, Jesus Christ!

Face of love and mercy, Jesus Christ:

We gather in his name.

3 Light of all the world. Jesus Christ.

Scattering the darkness Jesus Christ!

Calling us to follow, Jesus Christ:

We gather in his name.

4 Sign of contradiction, Jesus Christ.

Daring to be different, Jesus Christ!

Calling us to banquet, Jesus Christ;

We gather in his name.

5 Breathing life and Spirit, Jesus Christ.

Crucified and risen, Jesus Christ!

Present here among us, Jesus Christ;

We gather in his name.

6 Face of God;s compassion, Jesus Christ.

Binding up the wounded, Jesus Christ!

Pouring oil of blessing, Jesus Christ;

We gather in his name;

We gather in his name.

ⓒ 2007 WGRG Iona community. words and music John L. Bell; text adaptation ⓒ Michael Herry

This is the title track from Michael Herry‘s collection, God of Surprises.

His point of departure is the beatitude found in John 20:29, “Blest are those who have not seen, and yet believe”. The tune is surprising with a 9/8 to 6/8 refrain. The melody in the verse has a touch of Don Quixote about it – dreaming impossible dreams.

Get the sheet music at Marist Music for free, where you can listen to the song as well.

Refrain

O God of surprises open our eyes to see your presence amongst us.

O God of surprises open our eyes to see your face O God.

1 In the smile of a child, in the tears of the old,

In the touch of a hand, in the warmth of a friend,

In the calm of the night, in the glory of sunrise,

in the voice of the prophet who challenges all to look deeper again.

2 In the stir of a breeze, in the pow’r of the storm.

In the dark of the forest, in the might of the sea,

In the cry of the poor, in the need of a neighbour,

in the voice of the prophet who challenges all to look deeper again.

3 When God’s voice is silent. When prayers go unheard.

When loving is labour and life seems absurd.

In the doubts and the questions, in the sunshine and rain.

in the voice of the prophet who challenges all to look deeper again.

4 In the turn of the tide birthing hope in our hearts.

In our coming together when our paths move apart.

In the dawn of tomorrow, in the faith here declared,

In the presence of Jesus whose Spirit of love is now sent to be shared.

Last Refrain

O God of surprises open our eyes to see your presence amongst us.

O God of surprises open our eyes to see your face, in the face of Christ.

ⓒ 2008 Michael Herry