Scripture for Today Aliso Creek

Opening Song:
Teach Us Your Ways by Isaac Wardell, Leslie Jordan, Orlando Palmer, and Paul Zach


Passage:
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and his love is made complete in us. 13 This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent his Son as the world’s Savior. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God ​— ​God remains in him and he in God. 16 And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.


God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. 17 In this, love is made complete with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because as he is, so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And we have this command from him: The one who loves God must also love his brother and sister.


-- 1 John 4:7-21 (CSB)


Musical Reflection:
Piano Sonata No. 16 in C Major, K. 545: II. Andante by W. A. Mozart


Reflection Notes:
In true fashion for Mozart’s middle movements, this Andante blooms slowly with gentle and delicate notes; the melody ascends in joyful fashion at the most climactic points before settling back down with the satisfying left hand harmonies.


Prayer:
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Opening Song:
Tend by Emmy Rose, Jessie Early, and Michaela Gentile


Lyrics:
In the landscape of my life
You don't rush through any season
You always take Your time
A careful hand a gentle guide
You take what's dead away
And You prune what's running wild


(So) be the gardener of my heart
Tend the soil of my soul
Break up the fallow ground
Cut back the overgrown
I won't shy away
I will let the branches fall
So what You want can stay
And what You love can grow


Through the winter I'm still alive
What You've planted in the dirt
Is ever reaching to the light
You prepare me for darkened times
You'll sustain what You have started
And You'll teach me to abide


I'll remain in You You'll remain in me
And I will trust Your timing
I'll remain in You You'll remain in me
From the start until the ending
'Cause You will know better


Passage:
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
2 Every branch in me that does not produce fruit he removes, and he prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.


9 “As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.


11 “I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.


-- John 15:1-11 (CSB)


Musical Reflection:
Jesus, Remember Me by Jacques Berthier


Reflection Notes:
“Jesus, Remember Me” is a tune from the French Taizé tradition; these simple songs are meant to be repeated indefinitely with added instrumentation or voice parts. They are meant to be meditative and allow for prayer.


Prayer:
O God, who by the life and death and rising again of your dear Son has consecrated for us a new and living way into the holiest of all: cleanse our minds, we ask you, by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that drawing near to you with a pure heart and conscience undefiled, we may receive these gifts without sin and worthily magnify your holy name. Liturgy of St. James

Opening Song:
There is No Higher Name by David Brymer and Mark Alan Schoolmeesters


Lyrics:
The ancient mountains crumble
The age-old hills collapse
Your presence fills the temple
With your glory your glory


Holy holy holy
Is the Lord almighty
The earth is filled with glory
You're the king of all kings
And forever will be


Standing here before you
My feet on holy ground
My eyes have seen your beauty
And your glory your glory
In awe of your glory your glory


Every nation bows down
Joining with heaven's sound
Singing hallelujah
You are holy
Age to age you're the same
There is no higher name
Be enthroned on our praise
You are holy


Passage:
11 This is what the LORD,
the Holy One of Israel and its Maker, says:
“Ask me what is to happen to my sons,
and instruct me about the work of my hands.
12 I made the earth,
and created humans on it.
It was my hands that stretched out the heavens,
and I commanded everything in them.
13 I have stirred him up in righteousness,
and will level all roads for him.
He will rebuild my city,
and set my exiles free,
not for a price or a bribe,”
says the LORD of Armies.


18 For this is what the LORD says—
the Creator of the heavens,
the God who formed the earth and made it,
the one who established it
(he did not create it to be a wasteland,
but formed it to be inhabited)—
he says, “I am the LORD,
and there is no other.
19 I have not spoken in secret,
somewhere in a land of darkness.
I did not say to the descendants of Jacob:
Seek me in a wasteland.
I am the LORD, who speaks righteously,
who declares what is right.
(Isaiah 45:11-13, 18-19 CSB)


Musical Reflection:
“Amazing Grace,” Appalachian folk tune


Reflection Notes:
This beloved tune, formally known as NEW BRITAIN, originates from the folk music of Appalachia. The melody is simple and outlines triads, making it memorable; the ascending line creates a triumphant climax.


Prayer:
Father, what we know not, teach us; what we have not, give us; what we are not, make us; for the sake of your Son our Savior. Amen.
-Old Anglican Prayer

Opening Song:
My Soul Will Wait (Psalm 62) by Bob Kauflin and Keaton Bunting


Lyrics:
When the enemy surrounds
And my heart grows faint within
When the darkness overwhelms
And my fears are pressing in
I will trust in You O Lord
In the silence I will wait
I will stand upon Your Word


You're my solid rock and my salvation
My steadfast hope that won't be shaken
My soul will wait my soul will wait for You


You're my stronghold and my shield
In the midst of every threat
Though the wicked never yield
They will vanish like a breath
Yes I know the outcome's sure
Satan's evil plans will fail
In Your power I'm secure


You're my solid rock and my salvation
My steadfast hope that won't be shaken
My soul will wait my soul will wait for You
You're my comfort when I feel forsaken
My refuge and my sure foundation
My soul will wait my soul will wait for You


This is love I can't explain
This is mercy unreserved
Through Your sacrifice so great
I have peace that's undeserved
For the battle has been won
And I fear no shame or loss
Now the sting of death is gone


Pouring out our hearts before You
We will trust in You
Perfect Savior strong Defender
We will trust in You


Passage:
The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
the plans of his heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!


13 The Lord looks down from heaven;
he sees all the children of man;
14 from where he sits enthroned he looks out
on all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 he who fashions the hearts of them all
and observes all their deeds.
16 The king is not saved by his great army;
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation,
and by its great might it cannot rescue.


18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 that he may deliver their soul from death
and keep them alive in famine.


20 Our soul waits for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.


Musical Reflection:
Nothing But The Blood (PLAINFIELD) by Robert Lowry


Reflection Notes:
Lowry wrote several hymns for his congregation’s use in the late nineteenth century. This particular tune is pentatonic (only five notes used per octave) and falls within a small vocal range, which made it accessible for all parishioners to sing and enjoy.


Prayer:
O God, who has prepared for them that love thee such good things as pass human understanding; pour into our hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-The Gelasian Sacramentary

Opening Song:
Run to the Father by Cody Carnes, Matt Maher, and Ran Jackson


Lyrics:
I've carried a burden for too long on my own
I wasn't created to bear it alone
I hear Your invitation to let it all go
I see it now I'm laying it down
And I know that I need You


I run to the Father
I fall into grace
I'm done with the hiding
No reason to wait
My heart needs (found) a surgeon
My soul needs (found) a friend
So I'll run to the Father
Again and again
And again and again
Interlude
Oh oh oh


You saw my condition
Had a plan from the start
Your Son for redemption
The price for my heart
I don't have a context
For that kind of love
I don't understand
I can't comprehend
All I know is I need You
Interlude
Oh oh
Again and again
And again and again
Oh oh oh
(Again and again)


My heart has been in Your sights
Long before my first breath
Running into Your arms
Is running to life from death
I feel this rush deep in my chest
Your mercy is calling out
Just as I am You pull me in
And I know I need You now


Passage:
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you.


18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live too. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you. 21 The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him.” -- John 14:15-21 (CSB)


Musical Reflection:
Harp Meditation No. 3 by Gretchen Kirby


Reflection Notes:
This harp reflection features rich, full chords with a strong melody. The tension between major and minor chords reflects the challenges and triumphs of life.


Prayer:
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Opening Song:
Loving Kind by Antoine Bradford


Lyrics:
It's been awhile since I felt You near to me,
And all I hold is the vagueness of Your memory
Why did I roam so far from You oh Lord,
I had You right inside the center of my heart, and I took it for granted but


You always stayed by my side, and You always answered my cry
And when I fall You catch me
Cause You are the Loving Kind


So take me into Your loving arms again,
Cause I'm so tired of dancin' with my sin
Why did I roam so far from You oh Lord,
I had You right inside the center of my heart and I took it for granted but


You always stayed by my side, and You always answered my cry
And when I fall You catch me
Cause You are the Loving Kind


Passage:
18 Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth.


19 This is how we will know that we belong to the truth and will reassure our hearts before him 20 whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows all things.


21 Dear friends, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive whatever we ask from him because we keep his commands and do what is pleasing in his sight. 23 Now this is his command: that we believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another as he commanded us. 24 The one who keeps his commands remains in him, and he in him. And the way we know that he remains in us is from the Spirit he has given us.


-- 1 John 3:18-4:24 (CSB)


Musical Reflection:
Bless the Lord, My Soul by Jacques Berthier


Reflection Notes:
A contribution to the Taizé tradition, this tune by Berthier provides a reverent foundation for the text: “Bless the Lord, my soul, and bless God’s holy name. Bless the Lord, my soul, who leads me into life.”


Prayer: