Voices Found: WLWC Epiphany III C, VF 124, 143; Sharing the The Christ-light
Brother, sister, let me serve you,
let me be as Christ to you;
pray that I might have the grace to
let you be my servant, too.
I will hold the Christ-light for you
in the night-time of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you,
speak the peace you long to hear.
Words and Music Richard Gillard
Richard Gillard, a British New Zealander, wrote "The Servant Song" in 1977, inspired by Jesus's words in Matthew 20:26-28: "But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
1Peter 1:22-25 and Luke 4:38-44 are appointed in The Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church Epiphany III C
Coming up after leaving the synagogue, Jesus entered Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked him about her. Then Jesus stood over her and rebuked the fever and it left her. Immediately she got up and ministered ( served) them. Luke 4:38-39, tr. Gafney
In this lesson, Gafney translates "serve," as "minister," because as a verb, "minister" maintains a fuller sense in which acts of service and hospitality are acts of religious ministry. Peter's mother-n-law embodies the ministry of loving care and hospitality celebrated in Gillard's "The Servant Song. "
Reflection:
Now that you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have the love--without pretense--of children raised together; from a pure heart love one another persistently. 1Peter 1:22-23 (tr. Gafney)
Voices Found #143
Love astounding, love confounding
limits fearful minds impose.
Love renewing, love pursuing
every heart until it knows
love's transforming, healing goodness,
love's abiding gentle grace,
love's endurance, love's assurance,
love's consoling, strong embrace.
Words: Jeannette M. Lindholme
Music: Holy Manna from the Southern Harmony, 1835
Lindholme's text echoes of Peter's words of love. Set to a simple folk melody, it is easy for a congregation to sing, accompanied or not. It is a lovely song for the marriage rite.
Meditation:
We are pilgrims on a journey,
fellow travelers on the road;
we are here to help each other
walk the mile and bear the load.
Voices Found 124, verse 2
"The Servant Song" invites us to ponder how we can serve others in our communities. In verse 2, here, we may meditate on our personal journey of faith. Who has held the Christ-light for you? Who has traveled with you on the road? Who has helped you walk the mile and bear the load.
Give thanks for those who have served you.
Who needs you to hold a Christ-light? Who needs you to help walk the mile and bear the load? Which Sister or Brother needs you?
Who might you ask to help you walk the mile and bear the load?
Prayer:
O house of Jacob [of the line of Rebecca]
come, let us walk in the light of the Holy One of Old.
Psalm 119:5, tr. Gafney
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