Voices Found: Voices of Comfort

Voices Found #32

Comfort, comfort ye my people,

speak ye peace, thus saith our God;

comfort those who sit in darkness

mourning 'neath their sorrows' load.

Speak ye to Jerusalem

of the peace that waits for them;

tell her that her sins I cover,

and her warfare now is one.

Words: Johannes Olearius (1611-1684), tr. Catharine Winkworth (1827-1878)

About the hymn:

Catharine Winkworth translated more than 400 German  hymns into English.   She kept the original meters because she thought it was crucial  for Anglicans to  be able to sing  medieval German chorale tunes authentically.

Winkworth  also fought for women's education and supported women's religious communities. Voices Found presents her translation of this Reformation era  hymn  to celebrate women's contributions to Christian hymnody as translators, as well as women's contributions to the Church  as educators.

Samuel 25:14-19, 23-25, 32-34, 42-43; and Psalm 37:1-2, 7-11, 16, 35-40 are appointed for Proper 25B (closet to October 26) in the Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church

Abigail listened to her shepherds.  They said, "David and his men are coming for your sheep, your fields, your husband!"  Abigail needed to make peace; she needed to  to save her people.  She took an offering of sheep, parched grain, clusters of raisins, and fig cakes to cover her husband's sin.  Nabal, her husband,  had refused hospitality to David, lord of the lands.

When she arrived, David said to Abigail, "Blessed be the Holy One, the God of Israel, who sent you to meet me today!  Blessed be your discernment, and blessed be you, who have kept me today from coming for blood and saving me from my own hand." ... [Later, after Nabal's death,] Abigail hurried and got up and mounted a donkey with  five of her girls at her heels; she went after the messengers of David and she became his wife.  

1 Samuel 25: 32-33, 42, tr. Gafney

The salvation of the righteous is from the Ever-Present God;

she is their stronghold in the time of trouble.

The Redeeming God helps them and delivers them;

she delivers them from the wicked, and saves them,

because they take refuge in her.

Psalm 37:39-40, tr. Gafney

Reflection:

Voices Found # 118

What gift can we bring, what present, what token

What words can convey it the joy of this day?

When grateful we come, remembering, rejoicing,

what song can we offer in honor and praise?

This gift we now bring, this present, this token,

these words can convey it the joy of this day!

When grateful we come, remembering, rejoicing,

this song we now offer in honor and praise!

Words and Music: Jane Marshall (1924-2019)

Meditation

Abigail brought gifts she had been given, the fruits of her land and the fruits of her labor.  David accepted her offering graciously and spoke words of peace and blessing.  

What gift can YOU bring to our Gracious God.  Ponder your gifts. What have YOU been given?  What can you share with your neighbors? Food, time, work, prayer, teaching, singing?  

Ask  Redeeming God to show you what gifts you can share.

Blessing

Voices Found # 166

Go now in peace, go now in peace,

may the love of God surround you 

everywhere,

everywhere, 

you  may  go.

Words and Music: Natalie Sleeth (1930-1992)