Each week, Music Director Barb Bosman shares her favourite hymns and inspirations to encourage and inspire you.

Music Notes

January 17, 2021

Good morning, dear friends.

It’s a lovely winter’s day, as I write this – just as January should be,- not much sunshine today  and I think we have more snow on the way this weekend.  Hopefully that will give the snowmobilers -and the snowshoers, and cross country skiers more fun out on the hills and trails. Just even getting out for a walk, when it’s not so cold does a great deal for our state of mind!

Listening to and performing music also does a lot for our state of mind- how’s that for a segue!-

January 17 , according to our Lectionary is called ‘ the second after Epiphany’, and the theme is about being called , as God called Samuel, and Jesus called Philip and Nathanael.

The first hymn to go with our theme today is everyone’s favourite-VU #266- “Amazing Grace”.

We featured this hymn a few months ago when the Duizer/Mitchell connection presented their favourite songs. Amazingly enough, the hymn was written in 1772, from personal experience by a British clergyman called John Newton, who converted to religion after a life at sea, largely involved in the slave trade. He was tremendously ashamed of his former life, and you can hear his struggle in the words. It has gone on to be  one of the most beloved hymns of the last two centuries.  It has been recorded by countless artists- the one I chose for you to sing along with is Susan Boyle- a British singer who was popular a few years ago.

The second hymn this morning is “Here I Am, Lord”-#509 VU, written much more recently.  This hymn is also known incorrectly by its first line “ I , the Lord of sea and sky”, was written in 1979 by an American composer, Dan Schutte.  He was 31, and a student of theology at the time and he was asked to compose, on short notice, a piece for the ordination of a deacon.  It’s now sung in many Catholic and Protestant services, and in 2004 it came in second in a poll among “ songs that make a difference”.  The version  you will be singing along with this morning is the congregation of Metropolitan Cathedral in Glasgow, Scotland.  I LOVE this hymn. 

For our special music this morning, I’ve chosen “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good”. 

Betty Millar recommended this song, sung by a group called “Brotherly Love”  as one I might like, and she was right.  The first time I heard this , was when it was sung by Ken Scott at one of our Songfests, so that’s one good memory.  Since then, we’ve used it as a favourite song for our Men’s choir to sing, at church and when we entertained at Huronlea.  The group you’ll hear is excellent , working with the Gaither Music- Jimmy Fortune, Bradley, Walker, Ben Issacs and Mike Rogers are the performers. 

Robert Hunking continues to support us with words to inspire strength and courage, on the Church’s FaceBook page.  One post that I liked this week was

“ Some people feel the rain.  Others just get wet “. Thanks Robert. 

Have a good week, everyone. 

Sing along! … When you’re singing at home, you be as loud as you like! (True fact – Singing, especially in a choir increases life expectancy 🙂