We invite our loyal readers to incorporate these into their Sunday worship, and to send us a note to let us know how the congregation responds.
God, You Alone Know What You’ve Planned:
A Hymn for the First Sunday of Advent/Year C
Can be sung to CAROL CMD (“It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” Presbyterian Hymnal Number 38)
God, you alone know what you’ve planned For earth and sky and sea.
Creation waits your loving hand To bring in what will be.
When things we trust in shift and shake And sorrows multiply,
We hear you calling, “Keep awake! Redemption is close by!”
O Christ, you taught us, “Watch the trees As seasons change each year,
For when they bud and grow new leaves You know that summer’s near.”
May we look round this changing earth And see with faith-filled eyes
Your signs of newness, life and birth That witness to the wise.
Though heav’n and earth will pass away, Your word will still be true.
O Son of Man, on that great day, We’ll be secure in you.
For at the close of history When all that’s past shall end,
The one who judges us will be No stranger, but a friend.
So by your Spirit may we share The life you’re bringing forth:
May we seek justice, end despair, And work to heal the earth.
For there’s a new day coming near With no more death or pain;
Till then, we’ll seek to serve you here And welcome in your reign.
Biblical references: Luke 21:25-36; Matthew 24:29-36; Mark 13:24-32; Romans 8:34; John 15:13-15; Romans 8:16-17; Isaiah 1.17; Luke 4:18; Revelation 22:2; 21:4; 11:15 and Matthew 6:9-14; 33.
Tune: Richard Storrs Willis, Church Chorals and Choir Studies, 1850.
Text: Copyright © 2009 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
E-mail: [email protected]
Click here to order bulletin inserts with musical scores.
CAROLYN WINFREY GILLETTE is the author of Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor (Discipleship Resources/Upper Room Books, 2009) and Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today’s Worship (Geneva Press, 2000) and the co-pastor of Limestone Church in Wilmington, Del.
After seeing this example of Carolyn Winfrey Gillette’s new Advent hymn texts set to familiar Christmas carols (there are four, one for each Sunday of Advent), if you want an integrated text and music page that can be printed out and used in programs, bulletin inserts, etc. please click here for further information.
