Jonah: God’s Compassion | Rev. Connor Bell

Newnan FUMC

This week's service featured quite a bit of special music, so that has been included in this episode of the podcast for all the enjoy!

We started with a special Opening Voluntary, with Marian Steed, soprano, singing “O Gracious Light” in an arrangement by Dorothy Papadakos that features a Whale Recording by Dr. Roger Payne.

The unpublished music setting by Dorothy Papadakos offers us the opportunity hear the voice of the whale in the vastness of the ocean. The text (Phos Hilaron) from Ancient Greek praises the light that shines on all creation. Biologist and environmentalist Dr. Roger Payne (1935-2023) is famous for his discovery of whale songs while researching and recording humpback whales. The Phos Hilaron, Gladdening Light, is a Greek song of devotion and prayer. Dorothy Papadakos, Juilliard trained, has served as organist of St. John the Divine in New York City and also worked with Paul Winter. “O Gracious Light” was commissioned for the 60th Anniversary of the Alston Memorial Organ at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta, GA, and dedicated to Paul Winter. Papadakos has graciously allowed Dawn McCord to adapt “O Gracious Light (With Whales)” for our worship today. Marian Steed collaborated on the adaptation of the choral score; Jim Leake and Jeff Williams contributed significant time to sound production.

The scripture reading came from Jonah 3:1-10, followed by the rest of the song "Jonah and the Whale" as a scripture response. This week's response was lead by Kathy Roberts, Joanna Sherer, and Henry Roberts, who also sang an anthem earlier in the service.

Verse 3

In the cold and briny deep

Tears of grief did Jonah weep,

And prayed a prayer that God his skin might save;

Three long days and three long nights

Jonah bargained for his life.

God delivered him to shore from a watery grave!

Chorus

Over there,

In that land both bright and fair,

Oh, he’ll tell me all about it over there.

On the hallelujah strand

God will take me by the hand,

And he’ll tell me all about it over there!

Verse 4

Toward the Ninevites he still felt mean–

Didn’t want God’s grace to intervene–

So he preached the shortest sermon ever spoke.

But wouldn’t you know it, the Word took hold;

Like a fire can’t be controlled!

Away from evil turned the king and all his folk!