“What Would Jesus Do?”
INVOCATION and READING
Day by day, Dear Lord of thee three things I pray:
to see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly,
follow thee more nearly, day by day. att. Richard of Chichester
Matthew 11:25-30 The Father Revealed in the Son
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
All glory to God the Father, Christ, His Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
HYMN REFLECTION
As I reflected upon this Ordinary Time between Epiphany and Lent, I wanted to find an emphasis on which to place my thoughts. The United Methodist Church describes the central themes during this period as “the calling of disciples and the early ministry of Jesus.”
http://ee.umc.org/what-we-believe/ask-the-umc-what-is-ordinary-time
Our Sunday worship is currently engaging a wonderful series called “Follow Me.” So, I was naturally drawn to knowing more about Jesus – his life and work here on earth. I suppose, because of the times we’re living in, I’m feeling introspective, and longing more and more to discern my own thoughts and actions regarding current events through the example and teachings of Jesus Christ.
The hymn “More About Jesus Would I Know” sprang to mind as a great expression of this yearning. I had never realized that it’s not in our hymnals, so I’m not sure where I became familiar with it. I imagine many of you know of it as well.
The hymn text was written in 1887 by Eliza Edmunds Hewitt (1851-1920). She was incapacitated for many years by a painful spinal condition. During her convalescence she began writing poems for her church. Her pain did not deter her, and she remained active in the church throughout her life, eventually becoming Superintendent of the primary department of Calvin Presbyterian Church.
Professor of Music at the Pennsylvania Military Academy and respected musician in the Presbyterian Church, John R. Sweney (1837-1899) composed the tune for Eliza’s poem, as he had done for several of her works.
Hear now as the Scottish Festival Singers sing all four stanzas of this hymn. May we be inspired to learn more about Jesus and “more of His love who died for me.”
PRAYER
More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.
Refrain:
More, more about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.
More about Jesus let me learn,
More of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my teacher be,
Showing the things of Christ to me.
More about Jesus, in His Word,
Holding communion with my Lord;
Hearing His voice in every line,
Making each faithful saying mine.
More about Jesus on His throne,
Riches in glory all His own;
More of His kingdom’s sure increase;
More of His coming, Prince of Peace.
Amen and amen!
Eliza E. Hewitt
Offered by Joche Wilmot, Director of Music Ministries