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God of Love, We’ve Known Division (free hymn)

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BEACH SPRING 8.7.8.7 D ("God Whose Giving Knows No Ending”) God of love, we've known division and we've seen its awful cost. We have struggled as a nation, and there's much that we have lost. We have been a house divided — and, divided, we can't stand. May our nation be united; give us peace throughout this land. Turn us, Lord, from what divides us — fear that drives us far apart, greed that leads to great injustice, racist ways that break your heart. May we seek what brings together — hearts that bear each other's pain, care and mercy toward our neighbors, love that welcomes strangers in. May we all, in conversation, speak the truth and listen well. May we hear, across this nation, stories others have to tell. May we learn from other cultures and be blessed by their worldview; May we serve with one another — loving others, loving you. You have challenged us to goodness; you have shown a kinder way. It's your love that now inspires us as we seek a better day. May … [Read more...]

Tagged With: faith & public life

When We Face an Unknown Future (a free hymn)

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BEACH SPRING 8.7.8.7 D ("God Whose Giving Knows No Ending") When we face an unknown future that we can’t imagine yet, when the closeness we have treasured turns from blessing into threat— As we miss our friends and loved ones, as we crave community, may we look, God, in this season, for a whole new way to be. Jesus faced the lonely desert as a time to look within. There he met such trial and conflict; there he knew you were with him. In this time of separation when we miss the life we’ve known, may we hear your voice proclaiming: “I am here! You’re not alone.” May we cherish those around us as we never have before. May we think much less of profit; may we learn what matters more. May we hear our neighbors’ suffering; may we see our neighbors’ pain. May we learn new ways of offering life and health and hope again. God, when illness comes to threaten, and when so much here goes wrong, may we know this thing for certain— that your love is sure and strong. You’re … [Read more...]

Tagged With: COVID19

God Whose Will Is Health and Wholeness (hymn in response to the coronavirus)

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IN BABILONE 8.7.8.7 D ("There's a Wideness in God's Mercy") God whose will is health and wholeness, hear your people as we pray: Many now are facing illness; more face sickness every day. As we lift our song toward heaven, may we use the gifts you give— science, justice, and compassion— to help others safely live. Jesus taught that your commandments call for us to use the mind. May we use the gifts of science to seek health for humankind. Bless the ones who work for healing; bless the ones who seek to be Builders of a health care system that protects society. God, you call for love and justice, yet our laws are far from wise: Many don’t have good insurance; lack of health care threatens lives. Many workers must keep working, sick or not, to pay the bills. Turn us round when we have sanctioned greed that leads to greater ills. Loving God, we ask your blessing on the sick and those they love, And we pray for those now grieving as they lift their cries above. There … [Read more...]

Tagged With: COVID19

Hymns for Lent and Holy Week (Year A)

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Presbyterian hymn writer, Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, composed Lenten hymns based on the lectionary Scriptures set to the tunes of well-loved hymns. Individual hymns are $10. 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. Lenten hymns — package 1 See! Now is the Time! (Ash Wednesday) One Person’s Sin Changed Every Life Nicodemus Sought Out Jesus The Water God Gives Us A Man Who Could Not See You, O Christ, are Resurrection Lord, What a Parade! (Palm Sunday) On the Night He Was Arrested (Maundy Thursday) Surely He Has Borne Our Suffering (Good Friday) We are His Witnesses (Easter Sunday)  Purchase package 1 for $100 Lenten hymns — package 2 When Giving Your Gifts (Ash … [Read more...]

Tagged With: Ash Wednesday • Holy Week • Lent

Hymns for Advent and Christmas (Year A)

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Presbyterian hymn writer, Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, composed Advent hymns based on the lectionary Scriptures 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...]

Tagged With: Advent • Christmas

O God, You Give Us Neighbors (a free hymn)

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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...]

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