Stochastic Worship

Tag: church year

  • Happy Ascension Day

    Happy Ascension Day

    Of course, there’s a playlist.

    It’s a day of mixed feelings. On the one hand, we’d love to have Jesus physically present in one geographical location for us to book an appointment to spend a few moments with Him, before we’re ushered out and the next party of awkward tourists gets their instagram-ready photo opportunity.

    No, scratch that. We really are better off with Him reigning in the Heavens, having sent the Holy Spirit to engage with each of us, whenever we want, wherever we are, however we feel.

    That’s why Ascension Day, instead of a time of sorrowful farewells, becomes an opportunity for joyful hope, looking forward to Pentecost and further beyond to His glorious return in the same way that He left us; visibly, physically and in great power.

    Of the songs I’ve curated on this theme, I particularly like Jesus Ascended because of its unashamed triumphalism and the way it weaves other aspects of the the gospel narrative into the song.

    [Verse]
    He is risen from the grave so high
    Shining bright in the endless sky
    The stone is rolled the veil is torn
    In His light new life is born

    [Chorus]
    Jesus ascended seated above
    Reigning in power ruling in love
    King of all glory Lamb who was slain
    Forever and ever He shall reign

    [Verse 2]
    The cross was heavy the pain was real
    Through His wounds our souls are healed
    Darkness trembled the earth it shook
    Victory written in His holy book

    [Chorus]
    Jesus ascended seated above
    Reigning in power ruling in love
    King of all glory Lamb who was slain
    Forever and ever He shall reign

    [Bridge]
    Holy holy is His name
    Forever and ever He’s the same
    Crowned with honor robed in light
    He is the way the truth the life

    [Chorus]
    Jesus ascended seated above
    Reigning in power ruling in love
    King of all glory Lamb who was slain
    Forever and ever He shall reign

  • Feed My Sheep

    Feed My Sheep

    It’s the Third Sunday of Easter – one of the Lectionary readings is from the 21st chapter of John’s Gospel. It’s a moving moment. Peter has seen the risen Lord. However, he feels that after his betrayal when Jesus needed him most, perhaps it would be better if he and the others returned to their old way of life, when things were simpler and far safer.

    So they go fishing. The last thing they expect is for Jesus to turn up. But He does. Because it’s time for Peter to accept the challenge he was given three short years ago. Jesus urges him three times. To parallel Peter’s three denials.

    I felt the song created by the model was a fitting finale to my John’s Gospel playlist. It draws from other parts of Peter’s story – his confession of faith at Caesarea Philippi and his attempt to walk on water in Matthew 14. But most importantly, the way the repetitive command to “Feed my sheep”. integrates well as the chorus.

    [Verse]
    On the shore when morning breaks
    Cast your net across the waves
    Fish abound where darkness fades
    Familiar voice calls out your name

    [Verse 2]
    Three times asked do you love me
    Feed my lambs and set them free
    Peter wept by dawn’s first light
    Turned his heart from wrong to right

    [Chorus]
    Feed my sheep and love my flock
    Build your faith upon this rock
    In your heart where I reside
    Guide them safely to my side

    [Verse 3]
    Walking down the sand-strewn path
    With the One who faced God’s wrath
    Grace pours down like endless rain
    Binding up what once was pain

    [Verse 4]
    Peter rise and walk with me
    Through the stormy Galilee
    Find your strength within my grace
    Every trial you shall face

    [Bridge]
    Three times love brought healing pure
    Past mistakes become obscure
    Rise and lead with strength anew
    Peter I believe in you

    That final line – points back to Peter’s confession all those years back, it’s obviously not in the gospel narrative. It’s a platitude we used to see on stickers and bookmarks many years ago. “God believes in YOU!” we would tell each other without thinking too hard about what that actually meant. Because it would mean that persecution and suffering would be our prize; a precious possession that our Loving Father knew He could entrust us with. Perhaps having a god who knew He couldn’t rely on you would be so much more … convenient.

    But for Peter, knowing what he would face in the future, it feels scarily apt.

    /

  • Happy Easter!

    Happy Easter!

    Here’s a playlist.

    For those of you who want to shout out, “Hallelujah, Jesus is Risen!” Here’s a few different ways of singing those words…

    And most important of all, have a great day. Meet with others and enjoy the reality of having a fresh start, thanks to Jesus’ death and resurrection.

  • The Lent Cross Challenge

    The Lent Cross Challenge

    Earlier I mentioned the Lent Cross Challenge promoted by the Diocese of Bath and Wells. Each day, throughout the Lent season I have shared a new song generated by the prompt given for scriptural mediation.

    It has been an interesting experience. Some of the songs have certainly helped me express my thoughts as I’ve considered the meanings of the Bible verses and their direct relevance to my own life. Here’s a link to the playlist.

    As I’ve mentioned before, I’m not the only person who has been using AI-generated music as an aid to focus my thoughts on the meaning of Lent. There are even people on Suno who have been faithfully posting a daily song to accompany the Bible reading plan they’ve been following.

  • A song for Maundy Thursday

    A song for Maundy Thursday

    It’s a day of mixed emotions with so much to unpack. The name comes from Jesus’ mandate – a new commandment: to love one another. We have foot-washing: the master is the servant. The last supper with predictions of Jesus’ betrayal. Prayer at Gethsemane, Jesus’ arrest and trial, then finally the cock crows and we know how deeply our failure has run.

    How do you capture all that in a song?

    I like how Washed Feet and Heavy Hearts came together in expressing some of this:

    [Verse 1]
    Feet in hands bowed low and humble
    Echoes of a love so true
    Servant’s heart beats out the thunder
    In a room of mixed up views

    [Verse 2]
    Bravado walks on shaky ground
    Lips that laugh but hearts are torn
    One of twelve to weave the crown
    Betrayal’s breath on hope is sworn

    [Chorus]
    Washed feet and heavy hearts
    Grace in the face of falling stars
    Boundless love still lights the dark
    When faith is found in Jesus’ scars

    [Verse 3]
    Tables set for bread and wine
    Yet shadows cast by hidden fear
    Promises of soul divine
    Shattered when the dawn is near

    [Verse 4]
    Silent whispers of what’s true
    A Kiss to break our holy ties
    Love that’s denied in shades of blue
    Fading as the rooster cries

    [Chorus]
    Washed feet and heavy hearts
    Grace in the face of falling stars
    Boundless love still lights the dark
    When faith is found in Jesus’ scars

    The song was originally generated as the 13th song in my suite of songs following the chapters of John’s Gospel. It pairs well with The Arrest in the Garden – another song from the same suite.

    However, for those who prefer a rock ballad style the musical style of Denial’s Edge from my Luke’s Gospel suite might be more to your taste. All of these are in my Holy Week playlist.

  • Happy Holy Week

    Happy Holy Week

    Yes, there’s a playlist!

    We begin this week with Palm Sunday, but beneath all the rejoicing that the king is here, there’s a deeper, darker undercurrent. We know Jesus has to die.

    To a corrupt establishment, it’s a necessary political expedience. They tell us we cannot afford the luxury of a populist iconoclast who, if left unchecked, would overturn their comfortable status quo.

    It’s worth exploring musically.