Cantica Sacra: Hymn Texts Based on Lectionary Choices

By William Flewelling

In the years of my ministry, as I was testing out ways to express my thoughts, I tried writing hymn texts. After a while, having fallen into a scheme I called Cantica Sacra, I found that the hymn texts I created were useful. On occasion, I would import them into worship, a text pertinent to what was being read as the scriptural basis of the day set to a familiar hymn tune; that made the transfer easy for the congregation. But they also served me well as a first reflection in one genre on the scripture from which I would be preaching a few weeks later. This book picks up that developing system twenty-odd years after the beginning, providing a settlement into the text and a resonance much like that which a hymn offers to one singing.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 30, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524652630

William Flewelling

I am a retired minister from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) living in central Illinois. Led by a request from Mildred Corwin of Manua OH when I arrived there in 1976, I long developed and led a series of bible studies there and in LaPorte IN and New Martinsville WV. These studies proved to be very feeding to me in my pastoral work and won a certain degree of following in my congregations. My first study was on 1 Peter, chosen because I knew almost nothing about the book. I now live quietly in retirement with my wife of 54 years, a pair of dogs and several cats.

Book preview

On Hebrews 9:11-14

Behold he enters now

the courts of God’s delight.

The Lord, High Priest ascends

to offer all for us.

The holy blood is sprinkled free

to let us be in company.

Lord Jesus enters once

the Holy Place of God;

he enters perfectly

to cleanse the waiting crowd.

Draw near in joy; behold the Lord!

Draw near once more in holy joy.

Brought near in holiness

by Jesus, our High Priest,

we enter joyously

abounding in release.

Come, satisfied; behold in joy

as sanctified: we’re brought to God.

6.6.6.6.8.8.

Suggested tune: Darwell’s 148th

On Mark 12:38-44

Bold pretension makes parade,

leading through the holy gate.

Sweeping elegance on route,

striding to be seen as bold:

such occasions to the Lord

words of censure, humbling nod.

Boldness is a humble pause,

taking on a gentled cause.

See the long procession go,

bearing gifts, the Temple toll.

See the beauty, see the poor,

see the widow slightly go.

All parade and all provide

of their means the gifts of pride.

There the least provides of all

most as host and most of love.

Noticing the solemn chore

of providing more and more,

Jesus, lead the little way

that we harbor as you say.

Then our simple way we go

to endow the holy hope

with the offering of life,

all the living without strife.

7.7.7.7.D.

Suggested tune: Aberstwyth

On 1 Samuel 1:4-20

The public arrival

of public denial,

procession of misery enters the court.

The offering brought now

the family waits yet

to sample the bounty of holy delight.

The barren is broken

the barren is token

of all that the meaning of life may desire.

Then rising in sorrow

did Hannah provide all

to offer the broken and barren in prayer.

So private the moment,

intense in provision,

the prayer of the silent desire rises high.

So barren, so broken,

the token is laden

until in the blessing provision allows.

And in the allowance

of God’s gentle answer

the barren becomes the prolific in joy.

In peace then returning

with peace in the lading

does Hannah reply with the asked of the Lord.

6.6.11.6.6.11.D.

Suggested tune: Ash Grove

CCXV

On Revelation 1:4b-8

Grace be to you, and peace from God

who is, who was, who is to come.

For in the ancient freshness won

appears the opportune desire.

In spirits that surround the throne

is sealed the deep delight of love.

Behold in Jesus Christ the life,

the faithful witness of our God.

Behold and see the depths of love

are answering creation’s laud.

Indeed in Jesus is the crown

that reigns in glory over all.

Now offer him who reigns above,

to Jesus who creates of us

a kingdom and delight in all,

conviction at the altar’s thrall.

Behold in him who is as was

and is forever joy to see.

8.8.8.8.8.8.

Suggested tune: Melita

On Luke 21:25-36

The signs of completion, the fullness of days

appear in the stars, in the sun and the moon.

The earth is the witness: distress roams around

and Sea is at roar in the consummate storm.

When signs of such sighing rasp over the soul,

when people lie fainting in fear at the whole,

then in such foreboding the son of man comes

and Jesus in glory astounds every heart.

Behold in the coming, behold in the sight,

redemption is dawning; ’tis cock crow on life.

So raise up your eyes to behold in the dawn

the peace of our Jesus, complete on the heart.

Such knowing of signs is displacement of hope

until in the dawning the vision comes bold.

Then comes in fulfillment of care and desire

this richness, delighting in promise at hearth.

11.11.11.11.

Suggested tune: Cradle Song

On Malachi 3:1-4

To purify the longing

in servants of our God

appears the reigning witness,

the messenger of God.

Preparing for new living,

the purifying joy

sweeps through our latent mercies

to ready for our God.

Prepared in laden mercy,

assayed in purity,

begin to raise in honor

the service of the heart.

Behold the ready of the way

in answering the call.

Culled from the dross is dawn’s light

the brightest offering.

Prepare then in the message

the messenger impels;

prepare to answer boldly

as purified to stand.

For in the coming promised

the standing totters not,

but takes the storm of Jesus

in peace and purity.

7.6.7.6.D.

Suggested tune: Sheffield

On Philippians 4:4-7

Come, rejoice, give praise so freely,

for the bounty of our God.

See the wonder, all the beauty;

come behold the boundless delight.

For in God’s abounding mercy

life fulfills on mercy’s blend,

all the offering redemption

enters to creation’s joy.

Come in hope and come delighting

to aspire, forbearing all.

In the joy of God our savior,

in the peace as Jesus reigns

come indeed, be lively, joyous.

Come indeed, and joy in God.

For in mercy is fulfillment,

in refreshment life completes.

Praying, offering, requesting,

come in boldness unto God.

Know abiding in the savior;

here is heard and answered hope.

In the wonderful enticement

joy is welling, joy abounds.

Come in peace as God anoints love.

Come, discover Jesus’ joy.

8.7.8.7.D.

Suggested tune: In Babilone

CCXVI

On Luke 1:39-55

Arise and go, make haste to find

the kinswoman, Elizabeth.

With her rejoice to share the news,

the tiding God reveals in flesh.

For in this coming to release

the new creation looms in you.

Acquainted at the village door,

the women greet, the babes rejoice.

So deeply churn the holy strains

that in delight the women sing.

Blessed are you and blessed more

the babe, the fruit within your womb.

My soul doth magnify our God.

My spirit must rejoice in God.

For all the haughty tumble down;

the poor, the hungry are brought high.

For God in wonder does provide

the mercy to exceed all pride.

8.8.8.8.8.8.

Suggested tune: Melita

On 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26

As a child did Samuel enter

going in and coming out.

In the ministration needed

did the child abound in grace.

At the Tabernacle serving

under sight of Eli’s longing

did the child abide and grow,

wearing there the linen ephod.

Loaned for ever in God’s service

Samuel strove to reach and grow.

And the visitation coming

of his mother, every year

brought the bringing of a present

in the time of sacrifice, then

did Eli bless their coming

for the loan of their first born.

In the growing of the young lad

did the witnessed joy of God

bring uprising in the honor

of the stature Samuel bore.

In the wonder of God’s favor

did the growing lad increase

all to bring into the nation

how God’s mercy judged upright.

8.7.8.7.8.8.7.7.

Suggested tune: W Zkibie Lezy

On Ephesians 1:3-14

O how blessed,

God our Savior,

blessing us in Jesus Christ.

Now behold how heaven

opens for us dearly

in the graciousness of God!

By God’s loving

we are destined

to become all children.

By our Jesus’ mercy

in our savior’s pleasure

we have been redeemed in love.

Jesus answers

to our longing

bringing to God’s fresh assay.

Here made known in wisdom,

here announced in insight,

we adore the saving Lord.

Hope in Jesus;

live by his joy,

hearing truth in his delight.

By the gospel hearing,

by the sealing Spirit

see your bold inheritance.

4.4.7.6.6.7.

Suggested tune: O Sanctissima

On Luke 3:15-17,21-22

Preparing the beginning,

the Baptist first denies.

As expectations wonder,

he passes to the next.

The water is revealing

but Spirit and the fire

are in the hands of Jesus

whose coming is prepared.

The threshing floor is littered

with chaff and grain combined.

The fork to winnow ever

is in the hand to clear.

Desiring to contain grain

and cast the chaff to fire,

the advent of the Savior

has brought us to the bath.

And after all the people

had come to John in hope;

and after all the people

had entered Jordan’s tide,

then Jesus came to seek John,

to find the water’s wash

and find the word of God come:

Thou, my beloved son!

7.6.7.6.D

Suggested tune: Munich

CCXVII

On Isaiah 62:1-5

Coming in a promised moment

is the vindication hoped.

God provides the movement forward

to rejoice among the throng.

Come, entice the many longing.

Come, invite the weary home.

Never more forsaken, lonely,

never more the desolate:

be the promised union God sees

in the laden mystery.

For the Lord our God, delighting,

gathers you into all hope.

My Delight Is In Her, says God,

is the name provided you.

My delight exceeds all bounty

to rejoice in wonder now.

See the promise here; rejoicing,

see the glory, rise in joy.

8.7.8.7.8.7.

Suggested tune: Picardy

On 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a

One body are we as partners in life,

the living of Christ in service and love.

For all the achievements we share in our faith

combine in completeness and bless in Christ’s name.

Together we take our labors in time;

together we plight our efforts as one,

to serve as the Savior and love in his name,

become in our unity servants of God.

Arrayed to combine our efforts in joy

as skills are applied and talents called forth

we take up the ministry Christ has begun

and offer the body the highest of gifts.

10.10.11.11.

Suggested tune: Hanover

On Luke 4:21-30

The word is pressing to describe

this visitation of the Lord,

how in his presence God shows.

Observing how the presence looms

the questions rise how this might be

of one, the son of Mary.

Standing boldly

Jesus opens up his story

to enjoy life.

How can this be seen among us?

The needs are plentiful, he says.

The mercy of our God invites,

but by Elijah’s mercy.

The many hungry longed for food

Elijah fed in Zarephath,

the widow and her young son.

In the needing

God applies the eager voices

to enjoy hope.

Faith receives the bounty opened.

8.7.8.7.8.8.7.4.8.4.8.

Suggested tune: Wie Schon Leuchtet

On Isaiah 6:1-13

Encountering our God,

the Temple quakes around

as Cherubim and Seraphim

exclaim aloud:

Holy! Holy! Holy!

the Lord, the God of Hosts,

the earth entire is full of God

as glory beams.

Encountering our God

the Holy One so pure,

fall back aghast and know the past

impurity.

How shall I stand for this

as holiness persists?

The seraph comes to purge my lips

and sanctify.

The Lord our God exclaims,

inquiring who will go,

and who will bear the holy word

on God’s behalf.

Alone, in awe, I stand;

I lift my voice on high.

Here am I, Lord, send me! I say.

And God said: ‘Go!’

6.6.8.4.D

Suggested tune: Leoni

CCXVIII

On 1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Bold confession, Christ is risen:

come, proclaim the joyful word.

In the passion of the moment

know the resurrection plea.

For in Jesus we are readied

for the resurrection plight.

And in wonder of salvation

we acclaim the risen Lord!

Surely in the rising passion

we are now inclined to stand.

And in that abiding moment

God will have us stand again.

In the beauty of the Savior

see the hope of all our flesh.

In the risen saving glory

of the Lord, our Jesus Christ.

Not in vain the boldest preaching,

not in vain the richest faith.

For the resurrected Jesus

leads us faithfully ahead.

Come, abide in Jesus, wonder,

know the rising in the soul.

For completion and all wonder

is appearing: majesty!

8.7.8.7.D

Suggested tune: Hyfrydol

On Luke 9:28-43

On the mountain in the praying,

there the Lord and closest friends

are abiding in the longing

at the place where God invites.

Then the glory of the Lord,

all the heaven’s brilliant hues

gleam upon the face of Jesus,

shining from the depths of longing.

So transfigured in their presence,

Jesus speaks in heavenly tones.

There with Moses and Elijah

words of exodus are said.

And the startled say to him:

let us build three booths for you.

Then the covering of cloud comes

and the voice proclaiming wonder.

After all is done, in silence,

comes the Lord and with the three.

At the foot of lofty mountain

sit the others, all perplexed

There the spirit seized the lad,

throwing him in mute despair.

Only Jesus in his praying

frees the lad in loving passion.

8.7.8.7.7.7.8.8.

Suggested tune: Geneva 42

On Isaiah 58:1-12

Seeking daily for discretion,

seeking the Lord:

so we tarry on deceiving,

seeking relief.

Yet the call of God prevails yet:

seek the Lord in mercy offered,

give the humble satisfaction,

justice in peace.

All the regimented boldness

falters at last.

For the eye of God our savior

studies the heart.

More, the eye of God examines

how our hands abide in mercy,

bringing forth the blessing given

in God’s delight.

Righteousness in mercy’s order

leads in the truth.

Justice echoes, joying gladly

to see the Lord.

In this answering of mercy

we acclaim the boldest graces

in the willingness to rise up

in tender care.

8.4.8.4.8.8.8.4.

Suggested tune: Ar Hyd Y Dos

On Romans 10:8b-13

The word has drawn so near

left upon the waiting lip,

in the starting of the faith

that accumulates in hope.

That word of faith is live,

as a coal upon the lips,

as a sanctifying word

now announced in faith-filled hope.

The call upon the Lord

is beginning at the heart,

to endorse the fervent fire

that engages love so rare.

And in the given weal

that the savior raises near

we accommodate desire

and intently lean on life.

So gathered all as one

with distinctions washed and wan,

we declare the victory

that our Lord has wrought for us.

Faith fires the heart, ablaze

with the glory of the Lord,

with longing at the cross

that transfigures life from loss.

6.7.7.7.D

Suggested tune: Fealty

CCXIX

On Luke 13;31-35

When Herod sought the winsome Lord,

when Pharisees approached to warn,

then Jesus scorned the wily fox:

Jerusalem awaits his eyes.

For prophets die: Jerusalem

is where the killing deed is done.

For in that city named of peace

harsh treachery appeals for death.

Jerusalem! Jerusalem!

How often would he gather you

as hen her chicks beneath a wing

but you, but you, but would not.

Forsaken is that holy house

and shall not see him till he comes,

when all shall shout: Blessed be him

whom comes in the name of the Lord!

LM

Suggested tune: When Jesus Wept

On Isaiah 55:1-9

Come to drink, all thirsting enter!

Come unto the water poured.

Come to eat! the bread is broken,

given freely to your need.

See the bread, the wine in plenty,

offered without cost or pain

for the satisfying joy.

Seek the Lord, the witness lures us!

Seek the Lord with joyful heart!

Called of God and gathered near God

see the glory God applies.

Seek the Lord while God may be found

O! Return unto the Lord;

know the pardon richly given.

All the bounty God has sent out

brings the satisfaction home.

For the beauty God provides us

brings the blossom of the heart.

Come to offer all the bounty

all the beauty of the heart

as the Lord provides so well.

8.7.8.7.8.7.7.

Suggested tune: Cwm Rhondda

On 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Love’s new creation

opens in wonder,

offering new views

over the world.

See how the beauty

Jesus provides us

renders compassion

lively and true.

Love’s reconciling

severs division,

opens the full reach

of honored care.

None are divided

from one another;

Christ’s new creation:

community.

Love knowing no sin

God had declared sin,

that in the offered

life we be raised.

Now in the rising

righteousness welling

is the free gift God

offers for all.

5.5.5.4.D

Suggested tune: Benessan

On John 12:1-8

Gathered at table in old Bethany,

gathered with Lazarus, Martha, Mary,

Jesus and friends in warm company

savored together the meal Martha served.

Mary, the sister, who chose what was best,

opened the nard and anointed his feet,

wiping its fragrance in luxury,

using her hair for her loving intent.

Here is the scandal and here is the ruse:

costly, the nard could relive of the poor

some of the harshness that life has imposed:

but Jesus settles the gift as his own.

Beauty and bounty, the gracious