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Seasonal hymns by J. Barrie Shepherd

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Beloved Presbyterian poet J. Barrie Shepherd has crafted hymns for Advent, Christmas and welcoming in the new year 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. Good Joseph Was a Gentle Man (preview of full hymn text) Good Joseph was a gentle man he loved his bride-to-be, Rejoiced in every blessed hour spent in her company. So when the neighbors told him that his Mary was with child, he heeded what the Angel said and they were reconciled. ST. LOUIS (“O Little Town of Bethlehem”) Click here to purchase "Good Joseph Was a Gentle Man" for $10. Gathered in That Humble Place (preview of full hymn text) Gathered in that humble … [Read more...]

Tagged With: Advent • Christmas

Silence Falls – Advent hymn

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A new hymn for Advent by Paul Hooker. 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. Click here to purchase "Silence Falls" for $10. PAUL HOOKER is a teaching elder member of New Covenant Presbytery and associate dean for ministerial formation and advanced studies at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.   Silence Falls NOEL NOUVELET (“Sing We Now of Christmas”) Silence falls in moonlight on a manger bare in the gath’ring midnight, ‘ere the shepherds’ care; in darkness waiting, still in death’s own fold, we anticipate the ancient story told. Silence falls in whispers, trembling in fear; hearts will quake at this: the time is drawing near. Though kings may plait for him a crown … [Read more...]

Tagged With: Advent

Hymn: “If We Just Talk of Thoughts and Prayers”

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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...]

A prayer before Advent (hymn)

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This hymn is free for congregations to use to support recovery efforts for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria in Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico. It is based on Mark 13:24-27 and was written to be sung to the tune, THAXTED (#341 in Glory to God). In the wind that howls, the deep’ning dark, when rains begin to fall and the hopes we cherish most in life are shrouded in their pall, then at last we lift our vision; then at last we strain our ear for the word of sweet deliv’rance: our rescuer draws near. Teach us, Lord, to rescue others, and to find as we are found, until all your people reach the shore and stand on higher ground. O that you, O God, would tear the skies and to the earth descend ‘mid the trembling mountain’s tumult, ‘mid fear that knows no end. Though the stars may leave their places, constellations cease to be, though the world we know and all we love lost to memory, still we wait, Lord, rapt in wonder, ‘til morning’s sun shall rise, ‘til the clouds are rent … [Read more...]

Hymns for Advent and Christmas – Year B

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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)

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“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...]

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