HymnSite.com's Suggested Hymns for the 19th Sunday After Pentecost

September 28, 1997 19th Sunday After Pentecost Unifying Themes and Hymns: The Causes, Consequences and Cure for Sin Featured Hymn 355 Depth of Mercy The Depths of Sin: The Abundance of Grace 365 Grace Greater than Our Sin Proper 21[26] (Sunday between Sept. 25 & Oct. 1 Inclusive)
Scripture	Theme	Hymns
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 -or- Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29	"For such a time as this" (4:14b), From Sorrow into Gladness *** Shared Responsibility Brings Change Sharing in the Spirit,	582 Whom Shall I Send? 533 We Shall Overcome 394 Something Beautiful 512 Stand By Me *** 428 For the Healing of the Nations 503 Let It Breathe on Me 420 Breathe on Me Breath of God 572 It Only Takes a Spark Additional Suggestions
Psalm 124 -or- Psalm 19:7-14	God's Protection, Thanking God for Deliverance *** How to Guard against Sin	523 Saranam, Saranam Psalter 846,(alt. response 473) 73 O Worship the King 126 Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above *** Psalter 751, response 1 (alt. response 473) 452 My Faith Looks Up to Thee 467 Trust and Obey Additional Suggestions
Mark 9:38-50	Remove Hindrances to the Kingdom, The Seriousness of Causing Others to Sin	410 I Want a Principle Within 413 A Charge to Keep I Have Additional Suggestions
James 5:13-20	Effective Prayer, Healing Speech	492 Prayer is the Soul's Sincere Desire 463 Lord Speak to Me 458 Dear Lord, for All in Pain 382 Have Thine Own Way, Lord 496 Sweet Hour of Prayer Additional Suggestions

Featured Hymn
355 Depth of Mercy

This hymn was first published by John and Charles Wesley in 1740, in Hymns and Sacred Poems. In that collection it carried the title, "After a Relapse into Sin." In a 1780 collection it came first in a section headed "For Mourners Convinced of Backsliding." Both these designations are instructive for understanding the text.

John Wesley held that freedom of choice is still possible after one's initial decision to accept the gift of salvation. In other words, "falling from grace" is a distinct possibility in the Christian life. Wesley had a keen sensitivity to it within himself and observed it repeatedly in the lives of the early members of the Methodist Societies. While we might prefer to call it "departing from grace," in order to be more theologically sound, nevertheless the concept embraces reality: Christians often fail to live up to the gift of grace they have received. The late Bishop Mack B. Stokes referred to falling from grace as a doctrine which Methodists preach and everyone practices.

In a letter to Joseph Bradford (1783) Wesley reveals his personal grieving of God by his "thousand falls," and his only source of hope for salvation.

• ...have been reflecting on my past life; I have been wandering up and down between fifty and sixty years, endeavouring in my poor way to do a little good to my fellow-creatures; and now it is probable that there are but few steps between me and death; and what have I to trust to for salvation? I can see nothing which I have done or suffered that will bear looking at. I have no other plea than this:
  
  • I the chief of sinners am,
  • But Jesus died for me.

An interesting ancedote is connected with this hymn, and is related by Rev. J. Ward in Round and Through the Wesleyan Hymn Book (1868):

• An actress in one of the principal theaters, while passing through the streets, heard singing in a cottage. Intrigued, she looked in and saw a few poor people, one giving out the lines: "Depth of mercy, can there be Mercy still reserved for me?" the others singing. Accepting an invitation to enter, she was much impressed. Securing a copy of a book containing this hymn, she was led to give her heart to God. Her theatrical manager called her to take part in a new benefit play the following week. She did not wish to do it, but upon his urging, consented. At her first appearance on the stage she sang not the song she was supposed to sing, but "Depth of Mercy." The sensation created was remarkable.

Originally the text contained 13 four-line stanzas. Various combinations of them have been used in every Methodist hymnal until they were reduced to 5 stanzas in 1849 and then 4 in 1935. The current stanzas in use in the 1989 Hymnal restore the 1849 arrangment.

The tune, CANTERBURY, selected for the 1989 Hymnal, rather than SEYMOUR used in at least the two previous hymnals, combines the text with a tune that was in existence in Wesley's day.

In order to maintain the hymn's emphasis on the exceeding sensibility to one's own sin, and the need for God's graciousness, consider using the hymn as a hymn of confession. This could be as a variation from a unison prayer of confession, or after a call to repentance in the sermon. In either case be sure to follow the hymn with words of pardon and assurance.

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Lection at HymnSite.com

Contributed by Rev. Linda K. Morgan-Clark

Esther: See Index listing, "Courage" p.940; "Freedom and Liberation" p.941; "Triumph" p.953; see also Hymns 509-536 (Strength in Tribulation)
Numbers: See Index listing, "Holy Spirit" p.943; see also Hymns 126-143 (Called to God's Mission); Hymns 328-336 (In Praise of the Holy Spirit)

Psalm 124: See same Index listings as Esther, above; see also Hymns 57-101 (Praise and Thanksgiving)
Psalm 19: See Index listing, "Trust" p.953, "Faith" p.941; see also Hymns 451-508 (Prayer, Trust, Hope)

See Index listing, "Confession" p.939, "Penitence" p.949; see also Hymns 337-350 (Invitation), 351-360 (Repentance), 561-367 (Pardon)

See Index listing, "Prayer" p.949, "Healing" p.943; go to previous lections for additional hymns on the "tongue"