Here’s a video of the music score for COMPASSION (“Just as a Nursing Mother”) synced with an instrumental recording. Someday…someday, we’ll all be able to sing together again and I’ll be able to make a recording of the words being sung. Until then, it’s up to your imagination.To see the words more clearly, be sure to take advantage of the icon on the video that lets you make it full screen.
If you’d like to print out a copy of the hymn to play at home, here’s a link to a PDF of it: COMPASSION HYMN – Score. You’re welcome to print it out for you own use at home.
Here’s the text:
REFRAIN
Just as a nursing mother feeds
The growing child upon her breast,
The soul sustaining way of Christ
Gives solace, succor, life refreshed.
VERSE 1
And yet, today, their spirits starve
They want to grow and thrive in truth.
They know not what it is or where
It’s found that healing hearts produce.
REFRAIN
Just as a nursing mother …
VERSE 2
And sadly, faith is often seen
As offered in a selfish way.
It’s offered with a hidden catch:
Salvation giv’n but you must pay.
REFRAIN
Just as a nursing mother …
VERSE 3
It is no wonder we are shy
Of telling of Christ’s love content.
But, we must gently share our lives
For we have found soul’s hunger quenched.
REFRAIN
Just as a nursing mother…
Note: COMPASSION is the tune name. Hymns have tune names that are used in a specific index in the back of hymnals. “Just as a Nursing Mother” is the first line of the hymn. There is a different, specific index just for first lines of hymns. There are other indexes, such as the metric index. The metric scheme of this hymn is 8.8.8.8.D which is four lines of iambic tetrameter, doubled.
Below is an earlier hymn I wrote based on a sermon of the Rev. Kim Wells. I’ve used two different musical settings for those lyrics, one the Irish tune, “Down by the Sally Gardens,” the other an original anthem. (I think I like the “Sally Gardens” setting better for congregational singing!) But, here’s just my lyrics:
I find the thoughts contained in Rev. Wells’ sermon inspirational and providing novel thoughts and perspectives.
Greetings and welcome to Corona Sabbath. This is one of the ways the church is endeavoring to offer spiritual support during these challenging days of COVID-19. We appreciate your feedback and suggestions.
We listen to a scripture lesson from Matthew. It is sometimes called the parable of the talents. Like a good parable, this story has many layers, interpretations, and meanings. Some see this story as offering financial guidance. Some see this story as pertaining to the use of talents. Some see it as an indictment of the oppressive economic system of the time. To some the landowner is a god figure. To others, the landowner is an anti god figure. And the third servant who buries the money. Some see him as a lazy good-for-nothing. Others see him as a model of subversion. As you listen, what do you hear in this story? And one note about the money mentioned. The actual amounts referred to in the story were much larger than the translation implies. The amount entrusted to the last slave was worth about 20 years wages for a laborer. The thousand dollar figure is symbolic of much more money by today’s standards.
Matthew 25:14-30
“Again, it’s like a wealthy landowner who was going on a journey and called in three workers, entrusting some funds to them. The first was given five thousand dollars, the second two thousand, and the third one thousand, according to each one’s ability. Then the landowner went away. Immediately the worker who received the five thousand went and invested it and made another five. In the same way, the worker who received the two thousand doubled that figure. But the worker who received the one thousand instead went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried the money.
“After a long absence, the traveler returned home and settled accounts with them. The one who had received the five thousand come forward bringing the additional five, saying, ‘You entrusted me with five thousand; here are five thousand more.’
“The landowner said, ‘Well done! You are a good and faithful worker. Since you are dependable in a small matter, I will put you in charge of larger affairs, Come, share my joy!’
“The one who had received the two thousand then stepped forward with the additional two, saying, ‘You entrusted me with two thousand; here are two thousand more.’
“The landowner said to this one, ‘Cleverly done! You too are a good and faithful worker. Since you were dependable in a small matter, I will put you in charge of larger affairs. Come, share my joy!’
“Finally the one who had received the one thousand stepped forward and said to the landowner, ‘Knowing your ruthlessness – you who reap where you did not sow and gather where you did not scatter – and fearing your wrath, I went off and buried your thousand dollars in the ground. Here is your money back.’
“The landowner exclaimed, ‘You worthless, lazy lout! So you know that I reap where I don’t sow and gather where I don’t scatter, do you? All the more reason to deposit my money with the bankers, so that on my return I could have had it back with interest! You, there! Take the thousand away from this bum and give it to the one with the ten thousand.
“‘Those who have will get more until they grow rich, while those who have not will lose even the little they have. Throw this worthless one outside into the darkness, where there is wailing and grinding of teeth.’
Reflection from Kim
In the gospel of Matthew, this story is near the end. It is part of Jesus’ last teachings to his disciples. And it is set between two other stories that refer to ultimate things. Coming to the end. What really matters.
When the story is seen as being addressed to the disciples, it can be seen as a challenge having to do with much more than mere money. Are we hearing Jesus confront his beloved friends about the future? When I am gone, what are you going to do with what I have taught you? With what we have experienced together of the commonwealth of God? Are you going to be quiet, play it safe, keep it to yourselves? Or are you going to keep boldly living out what we have shared together, this new reality? This dream of God?
Lots of us tuck our faith away and bring it out on Sunday morning or when we face a crisis or an emergency. We bring our faith out, use it, apply it, and then, we carefully store it away again. It’s for special occasions not every day use. Jesus challenges this kind of thinking.
Among its many messages and meanings, this story urges us to think about our faith as a gift meant to determine our whole lives, meant to inform all of our decisions. Investing ourselves fully in the way of Love. Spending our lives for others and taking risks. Just what are we doing with all that we have been given – breath, voice, time, eyes, mouths, and also talents and treasure?
When we were in seminary, we had chapel services 4 days a week at noon. I’ll never forget the sermon of one of our classmates. An hispanic woman. She challenged people who think they don’t have much power or influence. Who don’t think they have much to offer. You know it can be very easy to hide behind humility as an excuse for playing it safe. Well, this fiery preacher looked around the sanctuary and reminded us that everyone in the room had a mouth, so everyone in the room could be doing something about the injustice and suffering in the world. You have a mouth. You can make a difference. And in today’s world, people also have a mouth on social media which can amplify the message and make the it even more powerful.
We are confronted with asking ourselves what are we doing with the dream of God that we have been given?
The parable invites us to ask not only are we fully living the gospel, the commonwealth of God in our finances and all of the rest of the aspects of our lives, but it also invites us to consider how we are sharing the gospel. So many people today are rootless, disenchanted with society, angry at the economy, and the good news of Jesus Christ offers a word of hope and transformation. Many people lack a sense of purpose or meaning in their lives. They are searching for what the gospel has to give. Are we sharing the good news of the gospel with others? Are we letting people know that there is another world view, another set of values and considerations that are life-giving and meaning-full? Are we encouraging others to find joyful and abundant life following Jesus?
What are we doing with what we have been given? No hiding behind I don’t have this. I can’t do that. I’m too busy with this. I don’t have access to that. This story is about all that we DO have, all that we are given, all that we can do.
Look at Jesus. Poor. From a backwater town. In a land that was under occupation. Lots of disadvantages. And yet he spends his life. He uses it. Gives it away. Enjoys it. He parties, drinks with friends, celebrates. He serves, helps, and heals others. He teaches and preaches and prays. He relishes the living of his days. Jesus loves his life so much, he is so grateful for all that he has been given, that he can’t help but give it away, give it up, give it back.
Like the disciples, we, too, have been given the gospel. What are we going to do with it? In thinking about this story we are reminded that the gospel empowers us to call out unjust economic arrangements and financial systems that leave so many people poor and a few people obscenely rich. If someone is rich, it is usually because other people are being made poor or the environment is being abused. The gospel empowers us to challenge slavery, systemic racism, oppression of every kind, and the degradation and abuse of beloved children of God.
This story is not an endorsement of capitalism which did not exist in Jesus’ day. It is an endorsement of risky living, fully and freely, for the common good. It is about giving back the life you have been given. The gospel tells us to invest in love as our portfolio, our goal, our guide – not personal freedom, or financial wealth, or individual power.
A colleague shares this story:
Recently, a friend of mine wrote me about an experience some years ago that had changed her life. She had gone to an artist’s studio to have her portrait drawn. The artist took his time, asking her a number of questions aimed at drawing her out. Eventually he asked her what she feared most. Her first answer was nuclear war. She mentioned that she had repeatedly had nightmares about nuclear holocaust.
But the artist said, “No, I don’t believe you. That can’t be right. Something more personal.”
Nancy thought and thought. Finally it dawned on her. “What I fear most is getting to the end of my life and realizing that I had been too fearful — too careful — that I never really used my talents.”
These weeks when we cannot gather in person for Sunday worship, Lakewood United Church of Christ is providing brief weekly sabbath programs for you to listen to on your own or with others in your social isolation group. They will be posted on Friday so that you can schedule your sabbath time to suit your schedule and your spiritual inclinations. We hope these programs are of spiritual support to you in these difficult times.
The post this week focuses on investment strategies based on a very well known and multi faceted story associated with Jesus. What are we investing in? What is our purpose?
This post includes a scripture reading done by Claire Stiles, a reflection from Rev. Kim Wells and music from Hilton Jones. We hope this post helps to feed your spirit in these difficult times.
You are invited to find a quiet space, inside or outside. Light a candle. Take a look around you. Breathe. Life-giving breath. Be present.
You may begin by reading this quote:
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.
–Anaïs Nin, 20th century
As you listen to the music which follows, you are invited to notice the thoughts and feelings and that arise for you.
You are invited to offer the following closing –
I am no longer my own, but yours.
Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing, put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you,
exalted for you, or brought low for you;
let me be full, let me be empty,
let me have all things, let me have nothing:
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, glorious and blessed God,
Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours. So be it.
And the covenant now made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen.
–Methodist Covenant Prayer
Breathe. Breathe again. Be filled. With purpose. Extinguish your candle and engage whatever may come with a sense of peace and a desire to serve.
Yes, there is a pandemic. Yes, that means for many of us life is restricted. Yes, some have lost loved ones and had dear ones contract the virus. Yes, the COVID 19 crisis has had a devastating economic impact on many. BUT – there are still things to be grateful for. Cultivating a spirit of gratitude can help us to maintain our spiritual health especially in times of trial.
Your LUCC faith community is providing many ways to give thanks this season of Thanksgiving:
In Person Worship Sunday Nov. 22 at 10:30 a.m.
There will be an in person worship service, outdoors, with masks, physical distancing and no singing, on the church grounds Sunday Nov. 22 at 10:30 a.m. You may bring something that represents what you are thankful for to add to the altar. All are welcome! There will be childcare.
Virtual Worship Thanksgiving Sunday Nov. 22 at Noon
The church will offer the same service that is being held in person virtually via Zoom/Facebook Live on Sunday Nov. 22 at noon. Participants will be able to watch the live streaming service taking place in the sanctuary and comment to each other in the chat space provided. Hopefully this will help to meet the needs of those who are not able or do not feel safe participating in person. Look for a link in your email the week before the service.
Congregational Gratitude Music Video
Music Director Hilton Jones is working on a Thanksgiving music video celebrating all that we have to be thankful for. Please help by sending pictures that represent what you are thankful for. Children and young people are encouraged to submit pictures of what they are thankful for. It will lift our spirits to see the inspiring video posted at Thanksgiving and feel a sense of gratitude not only for all that is shown in the video but also for the church which inspires us to give thanks in all seasons!
Show your gratitude by extending generosity to others. Giving helps you to be aware of your abundance.
In addition to regular church offerings, this Thanksgiving there will be a special collection for the Special Needs Fund of the church which helps people in the church and in the community with basic needs such as rent, utilities, and prescriptions. The pandemic has increased the needs of our neighbors. Make your gift in person at the service or send it to the church marked Special Needs, or use PayPal at the church website. There will also be a special food collection for Operation Attack. Cereal, peanut butter, pasta, pasta sauce, and canned meat are needed. Bring donations to church and place them in the grocery cart at church.
Sharing a Meal
What is Thanksgiving without food? And yet many will not be joining family and friends this year because of the health and safety issues involved. The LUCC Care Team is sponsoring a get together for people from the church to eat together on Thanksgiving. This gathering will be outdoors with masks and physical distancing. Participants may bring their own food or have food provided. Each will bring their own plates, utensils, and drinks. Those who would like to participate are asked to contact Patti Cooksey so that adequate arrangements can be made for the number of people who will be attending. More details will be forthcoming. You can reach Patti at cooksepa@eckerd.edu
Thanksgiving Corona Sabbath
For those who have built the Corona Sabbath posts into their devotional routine, there will be a weekly Corona Sabbath post featuring the Thanksgiving music video with the pictures submitted by the congregation. This will be posted on Friday Nov. 20th.
In Person Services and Gatherings Ahead!
In the next two months, the church is going to experiment with a ‘soft’ re-opening. There will be in person gatherings and services outside, with masks, and physical distancing. There will be no singing. Participants are encouraged to bring their own chairs. Some will also be available at the church.
Here’s what’s coming:
In addition, the weekly guided labyrinth walks will continue on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m. and weekly anti-racism demonstrations will continue on Sunday evenings at 5:00 p.m. All are welcome.
For those who want to remain engaged with the church ‘remotely’, the church will continue to post a weekly Corona Sabbath with a scripture reading, reflection from Rev. Wells, and music from Hilton Jones. Paper copies of the Corona Sabbath and the Update will continue to be sent to those who do not use the internet.
After this period of experimentation, there will be a discussion about how to proceed into the New Year.
Church Office Open
Office administrator, Gabi Paxton, will be at church Tuesday – Friday mornings from 9:30-noon. Please feel free to stop by with donations for Maximo or Operation Attack or to take care of other things at church.
LUCC Library Project
Beginning this past summer, Claire Stiles, Colleen Coughenour, and Patti Cooksey have been working to renew the LUCC Library and create and expand a useful, relevant, and appealing space for meetings, library resources, and reading/book discussions. To that end, the process has involved:
removing all books from the shelve
recycling and disposing of some of the collection that is outdated and in poor condition –
reorganizing and recategorizing the remaining works
reshelving all resources after cleaning storage spaces
At the guided labyrinth walk, one of the things discussed was how do we sustain our spirits when the culture around us feels at odds with our faith commitments?How do we face these trying times? Here were some of the responses:
Stay connected to people from church who share our values
Spiritual readings and practices
Uplifting music
Gratitude journal
Laughing
Choose a news diet – limit news intake
Spend time in nature
Limit exposure to negative influences
What would you add to this list? How are you sustaining yourself in these stressful times?
Garden Hooks Needed
The church would like a few more garden shepherd hooks to use for night time outdoor events. The hooks are put in the ground and lanterns are hung from the hooks to light the outdoor space. If you come across such hooks at a yard sale or unused in your garage, please consider donating them to the church. Thank you!
Stewardship Update
Thanks to your generosity and constancy, the church has been able to remain basically financially stable and viable during the pandemic. At a recent advisors meeting, it was decided that there would not be a traditional stewardship campaign this year. No Big Event and no Harvest Forms. This year. That being said, you are encouraged to maintain your current giving in the year ahead. And, of course, you are encouraged to increase your giving to the church for 2021 as you are able. The pandemic has shown us the importance of the ministry of the church for meeting people’s spiritual and material needs as well as for being an agent of societal transformation.
If you would like to make a change in your giving to the church for the coming year, please be in touch with Bill Parsons at parsonwh@eckerd.edu.
While the ministry of the church has definitely changed, it has certainly not decreased. In fact, it has increased. These times call for creativity and experimentation and the LUCC family is embracing this time of transition in exciting ways!
Adult Day Care Update
Work is finally beginning on the renovation of the Fellowship Hall to accommodate the new adult day care program that will be offered by Neighborly Services. The mitigation of the asbestos in the ceiling is complete. Electrical work is proceeding. A fire alarm system that includes the sanctuary building is underway. The addition of 3 accessible bathrooms is to begin shortly. The church eagerly awaits welcoming this new program which will address the needs of senior citizens in this area.
Corona Sabbath Ahead
Investment advice is the theme for this week’s Corona Sabbath. A teaching from Jesus has many meanings and implications. Take a look at Matthew 25:14-30. It looks like a template for capitalism, but is it?
On this week’s post, Claire Stiles reads the scripture lesson, Rev. Kim Wells offers a reflection, and Hilton Jones provides the music.
If you missed last week’s Corona Sabbath here’s the link:
LUCC’s EDUCATION MINISTRY TEAM and the WESTMINSTER SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM have collectively purchased and delivered the following items to Maximo Elementary for the children:
In addition to these, checks have been received to purchase more needed supplies.
Thank you EACH and EVERYONE for your love and caring concern for these children.
Anti-Racism Demonstrations Continue on Sundays
Weekly demonstrations to end racism continue in front of the church each Sunday at 5:00 p.m. Bring a sign or use one of the signs provided. Regardless of the outcome of the election, this witness is an important demonstration of Christian values and moral values. All are welcome to join in!
Check out the post of the chalk witness created at the anti-racism demonstration.
In case of rain, the demonstration will not be held that week. Know justice, know peace!
Weekly Labyrinth Walks Continue
Each Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. a small group gathers at the outdoor labyrinth for a time of devotion, discussion, and meditative walking of the labyrinth. The theme for the week is taken from the Corona Sabbath of the week before, so it is an opportunity to go deeper in the spiritual exploration of that theme for your life. This devotional gathering is outside and physical distancing is maintained. All are welcome!
If there is rain on Wednesday morning, the gathering will be held on Thursday morning at 9:00.
Spiritual Direction Offered by LUCC Clergy Member.
In these troubled times, it is important to find ways to tend to our spiritual lives. In the Christian tradition, Spiritual Direction is one of the ways of paying attention to the spirit in our lives. A Spiritual Director is someone to talk with about what is going on in our spiritual life and in our relationship with God however we may conceive of God.
Rev. Sally Purvis, Ph.D., a member of LUCC, is a retired clergy person with training and experience in Spiritual Direction. She is offering her services as a Spiritual Director to the community. The sessions would be held on Zoom and there is no fee to be paid. Church leaders are pleased to have the ministry of the church expand in this way.
Spiritual Direction with Sally is open to anyone, not just the congregation. And it is offered to everyone whatever their spiritual or religious background or affiliation or lack thereof. Sessions are generally held once every three weeks. Spiritual Direction is not a mode of therapy. It is a process for understanding and deepening your relationship with God/Spirit in ways that are authentic and life-giving.
Sally was trained by Henri Nouwen, a noted spiritual guide of the 20th century, and did Spiritual Direction as part of her professional ministry before retiring in 2015.
November Birthdays: Lucille Ruga 11/9, Emily Bell 11/15, Rev. Susan Sherwood 11/15, Ed Kaspar 11/21, Lorne Palmer 11/21, Bert Lee 11/22, Bill Lindsay 11/23, Wally LeBlanc 11/23, Kai’Lyn Washington 11/27, and Jane Diven 11/29, Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.
Circle of Concern: JoAnn Reid, William Owen, Wilbur Reid, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, Maggie Brizendine, Dave Radens, Family and loved ones of Elinor Ross, teachers, students, and school personnel, and all healthcare workers and essential workers. All those suffering from COVID-19.
Please keep LUCC member, Olivia Gibson, in your prayers. She is a nurse in a COVID-19 unit in a local hospital. We are grateful for her ministry!
Weekly Update: If you are involved with an activity or event that you would like to share with the LUCC family, please send the information to the Church Office by Tuesday since the Update usually is sent out on Wednesday.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 