November 11, 2012 | Year B Proper 27

Open My Heart

Hi Everybody,
Here are some ideas for Sunday, November 11th. Feels like this week comes straight from the heart.
That's a good place to start.

Readings
Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17
Psalm 127
Hebrews 9:24-28
Mark 12:38-44

Themes
Faith, belief, giving from your heart, trust

Collect:

God of light, radiant and unfading, appear to us on our path. May the light we kindle from your grace, shine—strong in hope and wide in good will. Amen.


Psalm 127
from Psalms in Ordinary Voices.
Written by Women Inmates

A home built without the Lord's presence is built in vain
Without God by your side, your efforts go to waste.
You can work all day, all night and it will be for naught.
Daughters are made in the image of God;
our children are our reward.
What arrows are to a warrior,
a child is in a mother's arms.
Happy is a woman surrounded by family,
just as a warrior is happy with a quiver full of arrows.
Proud is a woman who stands at the gate with God and her children by her side.

Gathering Song: Give Peace to Every Heart
Jacques Berthier

Opening Processional: Blue Green Hills of Earth
by Kim Oler
Here's a beautiful arrangement with soloist and choir. The congregation and music circle at Grace sing a far less majestic but equally beautiful version!


Gospel Hymn: Though I May Speak by Hal Hopson

Offertory: When God Made Me by Neil Young
I love this song. We've sung it quite a few times and it is a beauty. Great lyrics and tune.
Great with piano and guitars and lots of harmonies on the refrain.



During Communion: As We Gather at Your Table   
Text by Carl P. Daw, Tune: BEACHSPRING

After Communion: Open My Heart Written by Ana Hernandez, published in Music by Heart


Closing Hymn: Rise words and music by Eddie Vedder
This is a big Grace favorite. We sing this on Easter, for memorial services and any old regular Grace Sunday.

Our own Scott Lawrence has added two verses. We have a great mandolin player who has figured out the accompaniment. We layer in the rest of the instruments as we go.


Such is the way of the world, can never know
Just where to put all your faith, and how will it grow.
Gonna rise up, burning black holes in dark memories.
Gonna rise up, turning mistakes into gold.

Such is the passage of time, too fast to fold.
Suddenly swallowed by signs, lo and behold.
Gonna rise up and find my direction magnetically.
Gonna rise up and throw down my ace in the hole.

Such are the stories we bring, telling the toll.
Laughter and tears full the sky, echo below.
Gonna rise up and stand in the light that I cannot see.
Gonna rise up and live all the stories I know.

Such are the songs that we sing, fears to unfold.
Music, like water, wells up, unbending our soul.
Gonna rise up and fly from the tomb that’s been holding me.
Gonna rise up and sing myself a new home.


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