Sundays after Pentecost
Unifying Theme: |
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| Scripture | Theme | Hymns |
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| Deuteronomy
34:1-12 --or-- Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18 |
Moses sees the promised land --or-- God's people to be holy and just |
479: Jesus, Lover of My Soul 525: We'll Understand It Better By and By 724: On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand |
| Psalm 90:1-6,
13-17 --or-- Psalm 1 |
The Lord, our dwelling place --or-- Delight in God's law |
88: Maker in Whom We Live 117: O God, Our Help in Ages Past 379: Blow Ye the Trumpet, Blow |
| 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 | Purity of motives | 160: Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart 361: Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me 420: Breathe on Me, Breath of God |
| Matthew 22:34-46 | The greatest commandment, and the Messiah is Lord | 89: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee 470: My God, I Love Thee |
We have it on great authority. Christ told us that the pure in heart will see God. But what is it to be "pure?" I looked it up in Meriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. The dictionary provides a number of definitions. Pure can mean something that is free from moral fault or guilt. In another sense, it refers to something that is not mixed with anything else. There are several more definitions, but these give us a good start.
The pure in heart are free from moral fault or guilt to their very core, but the Word tells us that all our righteousness is as filthy rags. So how can we ever be pure? How can we ever see God? Through the purifying power of salvation in Jesus Christ! When we accept Christ into our hearts and keep our focus only on Him, then Christ can cleanse us and make us pure, unmixed with other desires and distractions that separate us from God. Then what a time of rejoicing there will be. Indeed, having been made pure in heart, we shall see God for eternity!
This week's featured hymn was written by Edward H. Plumtre (1821-1891) as a processional hymn for a choir festival in Peterborough Cathedral. A processional hymn for a festival like this needed to be long, and Plumtre's original eleven stanzas of Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart provided enough to fill the need. The theme of rejoicing and thanks continued verse after verse, encouraging and inspiring the congregation to worship God. The United Methodist Hymnal includes five. Seek to be pure in heart as you read them.
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| 2. Your clear hosannas raise, and alleluias loud; whilst answering echoes upward float, like wreaths of incense cloud. (Refrain) |
3. Yes, on through life's long path, still chanting as ye go; from youth to age, by night and day, in gladness and in woe. (Refrain) |
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| 4. At last the march shall end; the wearied ones shall rest; the pilgrims find their heavenly home, Jerusalem the blest. (Refrain) |
5. Praise God who reigns on high, the Lord whom we adore, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, one God forevermore. (Refrain) |
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May your life of worship be filled with joy and thanks as you sing your praise to God.
God bless you--
Lection at HymnSite.com
God bless you!
| Passages suggested are from The Revised Common Lectionary: Consultation on Common Texts (Abingdon Press, 1992) copyright © by the Consultation on Common Texts (CCT), P.O. Box 340003, Room 381, Nashville TN 37203-0003. Reprinted with permission of CCT. |
Here are the eleven verses of Plumtre's hymn:
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| Bright youth and snow crowned age, Strong men and maidens meek, Raise high your free, exultant song, God’s wondrous praises speak. Refrain
Yes onward, onward still
With all the angel choirs,
Your clear hosannas raise;
With voice as full and strong |
Yes, on through life’s long path, Still chanting as ye go; From youth to age, by night and day, In gladness and in woe. Refrain
Still lift your standard high,
At last the march shall end;
Then on, ye pure in heart!
Praise Him Who reigns on high, |
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