“What Good Can Come from Nazareth?” AURELIA 7.6.7.6 D ("The Church's One Foundation") “What good can come from Nazareth? Can any good at all?” Nathaniel said to Philip when he heard Philip’s call. The prophets never praised it— that little backwoods place! He thought God wouldn’t choose it to be a means of grace. And yet, when he met Jesus, Nathaniel changed his ways. His words that put down others soon turned to words of praise. He called our Savior “Rabbi!” and “Son of God!” and “King!” What change a little listening and openness can bring! “What good can come from strangers?” O God, we hear the shout. For some hate other people and seek to push them out. May we who follow Jesus be glad to “Come and see!” May we learn from each other with true humility. O God of all our cultures, now make us one, we pray. May we see your grace working in all your lands this day. May we hear others’ stories— what makes them sad or strong, Till— listening— we find friendship, … [Read more...]
Hymn: “If We Just Talk of Thoughts and Prayers”
Thanks to Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, this hymn is free for congregations to use in worship. It was written after the church shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas, that claimed 26 lives. If We Just Talk of Thoughts and Prayers O WALY WALY LM ("Though I May Speak") If we just talk of thoughts and prayers And don’t live out a faith that dares, And don’t take on the ways of death, Our thoughts and prayers are fleeting breath. If we just dream of what could be And do not build community, And do not seek to change our ways, Our dreams of change are false displays. If we just sing of doing good And don’t walk through our neighborhood To learn its hope, to ease its pain, Our talk of good is simply vain. God, may our prayers and dreams and songs Lead to a faith that takes on wrongs— That works for peace and justice, too. Then will our prayers bring joy to you. Biblical references: Isaiah 58; Matthew 7:21, 24-27; 1 Corinthians 13:1; James 2:14-26; 1 John … [Read more...]
Hymns for Advent and Christmas – Year B
The Presbyterian Outlook commissioned Presbyterian hymn writer, Carolyn Winfrey Gillette to compose Advent hymns set to familiar Christmas tunes and other well-loved hymns. Your hymn purchase includes downloads of a PDF of the lyrics scored with the music for a half-page regular sheet of paper, a second PDF of the lyrics scored with music for a half-page of legal-sized paper (large print) and a document with lyrics only. You have permission to print as many copies as needed for your use. Advent wreath hymn “The Candle of Hope” is a new hymn that is not geared to the lectionary passages. This new hymn follows the themes of each of the Sundays in Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. If you light Advent candles as part of your worship during the season, then this hymn is ideal! The words are set to the familiar tune of “O Worship the King, All Glorious Above.” The Candle of Hope (preview of full hymn text) “The candle of hope we light in this hour, proclaims that the Lord is … [Read more...]
O God, We’ve Prayed in Wind and Rain (Hymn for Harvey relief)
“O God, We’ve Prayed in Wind and Rain” was written in response to severe storms -- Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana and even more devastating flooding in Nepal, India, and Bangladesh (1,200 deaths and 41 million people impacted in the Asian storms). We pray for those who are suffering, give thanks to the many who have responded, and pray for continuing efforts to help in comforting and rebuilding. O God, We’ve Prayed in Wind and Rain AMAZING GRACE CM (“Amazing Grace”) O God, we’ve prayed in wind and rain and now we pray once more For those who felt the hurricane and heard the waters roar. We pray for those who watched the storm destroy the life they knew, Who wait in shelters, tired and worn, and wonder what to do. We thank you, God, for acts of love not bound by race or creed, For hands that reach across the flood to all who are in need. We pray for others far away who’ve seen destruction, too; We look beyond ourselves, for they are also loved by … [Read more...]
God, With Joy We Look Around Us (a hymn)
A seminary classmate, Richard Lanford, was serving as the pastor at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Skokie, Illinois, when the Ku Klux Klan announced they were going to have a rally in front of a Cook County Courthouse a few days before Christmas. Richard asked that a new hymn be written that the churches in the community could sing to counter the hate group’s rally. The hymn tune is a traditional Christmas tune ("Angels, from the Realms of Glory"), reflecting the season of year when it was first sung. The hymn has since been used by many churches as part of their annual celebrations of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. When this hymn was first sung by churches struggling to respond to a Klan rally in their community, they had a creative response beyond the hymn. In addition to inviting people of faith to attend services in their houses of worship, they also encouraged them to pledge money for a group working to end racism, the Southern Poverty Law Center based on how long … [Read more...]
Now Sing the Gospel Story (preview)
Now sing the gospel story, the news we have received! To God be all the glory for what we now believe: Christ died to take our sinning; the scriptures say it’s true! It seemed that death was winning, yet God makes all things new. There’s news by which God saves us, if we believe God’s way; See! Death cannot enslave us; God gave us Easter Day. For Christ our Lord was buried, the scriptures say it’s true! His friends all grieved and worried, yet God made all things new. God raised him on a Sunday; the women saw the joy. Then Peter and the others learned death could not destroy. Then many more bore witness; the scriptures say it’s true! God’s love for us is endless, for God makes all things new. We sing the gospel story that Jesus is the Christ. He is God’s Son! Give glory! Through him, God gives us life. For he was the beginning; he also is the end. Christ Jesus is our Savior, our Lord and God. Amen! Biblical References: 1 Corinthians 15:1-6; Mark 16:1-9; Matthew … [Read more...]
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