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...]

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...]