AURELIA 7.6.7.6 D ("The Church's One Foundation”) O God, you give us neighbors for whom your love abounds. They’ve come here seeking refuge; they work here in our towns. Their children go to school here; they come to church and pray. O Lord, we grieve when neighbors are being sent away. O God, you give us neighbors in this world that divides. We see them at the border; they’re struggling for their lives. They’re hurting by the roadside, and by the river, too. You call us to show mercy to neighbors loved by you. O God, you give us neighbors and call us all to see our common fears and longings, our shared humanity. You call us all to listen to burdens they have known, to hear the truth they tell us, to see the love they’ve shown. O God, you give us neighbors; and now, what must we do? This question asked of Jesus is one we ask anew. May we not make excuses and choose to walk on by these neighbors fleeing violence— some sent back now to die. God, may we work for … [Read more...]
Christ, You Spoke to Us of Children (hymn)
W ZLOBIE LEZY 4.4.7.4.4.7.4.4.4.4.7 ("Infant Holy, Infant Lowly”) Christ, you spoke to us of children: “Let the children come to me. Do not stop them, for the kingdom Is for little ones like these.” God, we grieve now as our nation Fails its moral obligation To receive the refugees. Christ, you spoke of God’s intention: “Do not cause my children harm!” Yet we place them in detention, Far from loved ones, scared and worn. Children, huddled close together, Grieve for families that are severed; God of love, what have we done? Christ, you taught us to give water And to help the ones who thirst. Yet in places near the border, We confess we’ve done our worst. Those who walk must now walk farther. We have made their journey harder; We dump water in the dirt. God of immigrant and stranger, God who welcomes those in need, When your children are in danger, Will we love them or concede? May we not seek cheap forgiveness Till we dare to work for justice— Till … [Read more...]
O God, We Grieve the Hatred (hymn for New Zealand)
At least 49 worshippers were killed – and 48 wounded – in shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand, on March 15. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette has graciously offered this hymn for free use in congregations as we grieve the violence and lives lost. O God, We Grieve the Hatred AURELIA 7.6.7.6 D ("The Church's One Foundation") O God, we grieve the hatred, the ugly, racist fear that hurts our common living and harms those you hold dear. For Muslims who were gathered to worship and to pray soon found their lives were shattered as violence filled their day. We pray for those now grieving for loved ones who are lost; we pray for people suffering because of hatred’s cost. For all of us, now frightened by what extremists do, we pray: O God of mercy! May we find strength in you! We grieve our lack of courage: we tolerate the wrong of people who are racist; we simply go along. We let the fear continue; we’re slow to challenge hate. We say, “It’s not our issue,” until it is too … [Read more...]
This Day of Resurrection Joy (preview)
FOREST GREEN 8.6.8.6 D ("All Beautiful the March of Days”) This day of resurrection joy reminds us what is true: That Christ is raised, and Christ is Lord, and we have work to do. Christ’s reign has surely come to earth and caught us by surprise: And we who know that wondrous truth are called to live new lives. One day when the disciples met, afraid, behind locked doors, The Lord appeared and offered them a peace that still endures. “Just as the Father sent me forth, now I am sending you.” He said, “Receive the Spirit’s power,” and gave them work to do. So filled with resurrection joy, we make Christ’s presence known, For Christ goes with us to each place, and we are not alone. We share our faith and serve the poor; we love, forgive and pray. We trust the risen Lord to be close by us every day. Biblical Reference: John 20:1-18 Tune: Traditional English melody; English Hymnal, 1906 Text: Copyright © 2019 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights … [Read more...]
There by the Cross, the Women Stayed (preview)
ST. CATHERINE 8.8.8.8.8.8 ("Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me") There by the cross, the women stayed, with the disciple loved by you. Jesus, you were abused, betrayed. Why couldn’t others wait there, too? Why did the others not remain as you were dying there, in pain? Christ, we confess, we do this, too; we flee from sorrow, grief and loss. You came to bring a world made new; we do not want to bear the cross. Just like those ones who fled in fear, we want a safer journey here. Teach us, O Lord, to stay nearby; teach us to stand with those in pain. Teach us to hear our neighbor’s cry; teach us to risk for love again. May we stay with the poor and lost; may we remain beside your cross. Biblical Reference: John 19:26-27 Tune: Henri Frederick Hemy, 1864 ("Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me”) Text: Copyright © 2019 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved. Click here to return to the order page to purchase the scored music of this hymn. … [Read more...]
The Night You Were Arrested (preview)
AURELIA 7.6.7.6 D ("The Church's One Foundation") The night you were arrested, you told us to recall the bread, your body broken, the wine, poured out for all. You told them, “Take and eat it,” and in that time and place you gave to all creation the wonders of God’s grace. That night you sat at table and looked around at friends; you talked about forgiveness and how God’s love extends. You surely tried to teach them, to help them see anew, the joy of God’s salvation that comes to us, through you. This night we come together to worship and to pray. We hear your love’s commandment; we seek to learn your Way. May bread and cup now give us the strength we need to be your church, your loving body, in this community. Biblical Reference: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Tune: Samuel Sebastian Wesley, 1864 Text: Copyright © 2019 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved. Click here to return to the order page to purchase the scored music of this hymn. … [Read more...]
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