And a second prayer for the country

Grant us peace, Thy most precious gift, O Thou eternal Source of peace. Bless our country that it may ever be a stronghold of peace, and the advocate of peace in the councils of nations. May contentment reign within its borders, health and happiness within its homes. Strengthen the bonds of friendship and fellowship between all the inhabitants of our land. Plant virtue in every soul; and may the love of Thy Name hallow every home and every heart. Praised be Thou, O Lord, Giver of Peace. Amen.—The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition, 517

</idle musing>
This one also seems most appropriate as a prayer for today.
</idle musing>

There's plenty of room!

What does it mean to be catholic? Jesus gave the best definition of the term when he said: “In my Father’s house there are many rooms.” This is not a description of a certain geography in heaven but a revelation of the breadth of God’s heart. The bosom of God is not a ghetto. God has a catholic heart—in that catholic means universal, wide, all-encompassing. The opposite of a catholic is a fundamentalist, a person who has a heart with one room.—The Holy Longing, 130

A prayer for the country

FOR THE COUNTRY

Almighty God, who in the former time didst lead our fathers forth into a wealthy place; give Thy grace, we humbly beseech Thee, to us, their children, that we may alway approve ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor, and glad to do Thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure religion. Defend our liberties, preserve our unity. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogancy, and from every evil way. Fashion into one happy people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit oi wisdom those whom we intrust in Thy Name with the authority of governance, to the end that there be peace at home, and that we keep a place among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness; and in the day of trouble suffer not our trust in Thee to fail; all of which we ask for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.—The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition, 516-17

<idle musing>
Seems an appropriate prayer for our times, does it not?
</idle musing>

We're not there yet

Whenever I meet the presence of God within Community I will not meet it in its pure form. All communities of faith mediate the grace of God in a very mixed way. Sin, pettiness, and betrayal are always found alongside grace, sanctity, and fidelity.—The Holy Longing, 127

O Splendor of God's glory bright

638 St. Venantius. L.M.

1 O Splendor of God's glory bright,
   From light eternal bringing light;
   Thou Light of life, light's living Spring,
   True Day, all days illumining.

O Thou true Sun, on us Thy glance
   Let fall in royal radiance,
   The Spirit's sanctifying beam
   Upon our earthly senses stream.

The Father, too, our prayers implore
   Father of glory evermmore;
   The Father of all grace and might,
   To banish sin from our delight;

To guide whate'er we nobly do,
   With love all envy to subdue,
   To make illfortune turn to fair,
   And give us grace our wrongs to bear.
                        Ambrose of Milan
                         The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition

<idle musing>
This hymn by Ambrose only occurs in about 45 hymnals, but it seems to have about that many variations. None of the versions at hymnary.org has the version here. Most of them also contain more verses. Follow the link and compare to your heart's content!

That's the final hymn in this hymnal; what follows now is responsive readings, orders of service, communion services, etc. I may or may not post on those. Expect a gap here and there for a week or two. Next I think I'll go through the United Methodist hymnal that replaced this one. By necessity there will be overlap, but I won't post the duplicates (but I think I've already said that).
</idle musing>

Look around—then look at Jesus

Outside of a focus on his person [Jesus] and what we are drawn to spontaneously live when we sense his presence, we have angry fireworks and constant dissipation, as the state of our families, communities, nations, and world gives ample testimony to. Nothing else, ultimately, holds us together.

Hence the basis for Christian ecclesial community, church, is a gathering around the person of Jesus Christ and a living in his Spirit. And that Spirit too is not some vague bird or abstract tonality. The spirit of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, is defined in scripture as charity, joy, peace, patience, goodness, long—suffering, fidelity, mildness, and chastity.—The Holy Longing, 120

<idle musing>
Oh my. He has us pegged here, doesn't he? Nothing outside of the power of the Holy Spirit can hold us together (see today's Tozer for Tuesday).
</idle musing>

A word for today

Apostolic community is not had by joining others who share our fears and, with them, barricading ourselves against what threatens us. It is had when, on the basis of something more powerful than our fears, we emerge from our locked rooms and begin to take down walls. 116

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire

636 Veni Creator. L. M. with refrain (Veni, Creator Spiritus)

1 Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
   And lighten with celestial fire;
   Thou the anointed Spirit art,
   Who dost Thy sevenfold gifts impart.

2 Thy blessed unction from above
   Is comfort, life, and fire of love.
   Enable with perpetual light
   The dullness of our blinded sight.

3 Anoint and cheer our soiled face
   With the abundance of Thy grace.
   Keep far our foes, give peace at home,
   Where Thou art guide, no ill can come.

4 Teach us to know the Father, Son,
   And Thee, of both, to be but one;
   That through the ages, all along,
   This may be our endless song:

Refrain (after the last stanza):
   Praise to Thy eternal merit,
   Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
                         Anonymous (9th or 10th century)
                         Tr. by John Cosin
                         The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition

<idle musing>
Not to be confused with a hymn by Charles Wesley that has the same first line. This one is far less popular, only occurring in a little over 100 hymnals. I don't recall ever singing it. According to hymnary.org, it should be attributed to a Rabanus Maurus, who lived fron 776 to 856, although his birth date is disputed.
</idle musing>

Tozer for Tuesday (a day late)

The Holy Spirit is not something we can argue about or somebody about whom we can say, “Well, you believe your way and I’ll believe mine.” The Holy Spirit is an absolute necessity in the Church. There is a power in the Spirit, which can expose sin and revolutionize and convert and create holy men and women, and nothing else can do it. Words will not do it. Instructions will not do it. Line upon line and precept upon precept will not do it; it takes power to do it. This power is a persuasive power to convince, persuade and break down resistance. It is also a worship power creating reverence and ecstasy.—A.W. Tozer, Reclaiming Christianity, 114

To God the only wise

618 Old 134th (St. Michael). S. M.

1 To God the only wise,
   our Savior and our King,
   let all the saints below the skies
   their humble praises bring.

2 To our Redeemer God
   wisdom and pow'r belongs,
   immortal crowns of majesty,
   and everlasting songs.
                         Isaac Watts
                         The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition

<idle musing>
Not one of Isaac Watts better know hymns. It occurs in about 350 hymnals. This hymn isn't in the regular part of the Methodist hymnal, but in the Responses section, which is probably why it only has the first and last verse. Hymnary.org adds three verses:

2 ’Tis His almighty love,
   His counsel and His care,
   preserves us safe from sin and death,
   and ev'ry hurtful snare.

3 He will present our souls
   unblemished and complete,
   before the glory of His face,
   with joys divinely great.

4 Then all the chosen seed
   shall meet around the throne,
   shall bless the conduct of His grace,
   And make His wonders known.

</idle musing>

You look like what you believe

What is important about all of this is what, in the end, forms our faces. Up until age forty, genetic endowment is dominant and that is why, up until that age, we can be selfish and still look beautiful. From then onward, though, we look like what we believe in. If I am anxious, petty, selfish, bitter, narrow, and self-centered, my face will show it. Conversely, if I am warm, gracious, humble, and other-centered, my face will also show it. A scary thought; there can be no poker faces after forty.—The Holy Longing, 103

<idle musing>
I'm not sure I entirely believe him, but it does tend to be true—and is definitely something to think about.
</idle musing>

Jesus, stand among us

593 Vesper (Mann). 6. 5. 6. 5.

1 Jesus, stand among us
   In Thy risen power;
   Let this time of worship
   Be a hallowed hour.

2 Breathe the Holy Spirit
   Into every heart;
   Bid the fears and sorrows
   From each soul depart.

3 Thus with quickened footsteps
   We pursue our way,
   Watching for the dawning
   Of eternal day.
                         William Pennefather
                         The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition

Lord and Savior, true and kind

560 Boyce (Sharon). 7. 7. 7. 7.

1. Lord and Savior, true and kind,
   Be the Master of my mind;
   Bless, and guide, and strengthen still
   All my powers of thought and will.

2. While I ply the scholar’s task,
   Jesus Christ, be near, I ask;
   Help the memory, clear the brain,
   Knowledge still to seek and gain.

3. Here I train for life’s swift race;
   Let me do it in Thy grace;
   Here I arm me for life’s fight;
   Let me do it in Thy might.

4. Thou hast made me mind and soul;
   I for Thee would use the whole;
   Thou hast died that I might live;
   All my powers to Thee I give.

5. Striving, thinking, learning, still,
   Let me follow thus Thy will,
   Till my whole glad nature be
   Trained for duty and for Thee.
                         Handley C. G. Moule
                         The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition

<idle musing>
No, not that Moule! This is his great uncle, also an important scholar and bishop of Durham. I wasn't aware that he had written any hymns, but it appears he wrote several, none of which are in more than eight hymnals.

I don't recall ever singing—or even noticing—this hymn before, but I really like the sentiments it expresses.

That brings us to the end of the regular part of this hymnal. The next section is entitled "Music for the Holy Communion, Response, Doxologies, Ancient Hymns and Canticles." Not sure how much of that I'll be posting. After this hymnal, I'll probably go through the hymnal that superseded it, The Book of Hymns. There will undoubtably be duplicates, which I won't be posting. I do recall the excitement when the church bought these new hymnals. It included "How Great Thou Art," which was always a popular solo choice because it wasn't in the previous hymnal.
</idle musing>