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...]

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...]

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...]

HOLY MANNA 8.7.8.7 D ("God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens") Two disciples, sent by Jesus, entered into one small town. There they spied a colt still standing where Christ said it would be found. Two disciples asked to use it and its owners soon agreed. They responded to the calling when they heard the Lord had need. Jesus rode into the city, there amid the cheering crowd. Many people sang, “Hosanna!”  “Come and save!” they cried out loud. People laid their cloaks before him as the Lord was passing by; many honored him as Savior, as the Lord rode on to die. On that Thursday, in the garden, Jesus said, “Now, stay awake.” Yet they could not keep their vigil, even for their Savior’s sake. One betrayed him, one denied him; many felt great fear and loss. One was made to walk beside him and to carry Jesus’ cross. One lone man and several women stayed and watched, as Jesus died. Someone offered up a tomb there after Christ was crucified. All these ordinary people … [Read more...]

ANGEL'S STORY 7.6.7.6 D ("O Jesus, I Have Promised") The Lord went to a dinner, and Mary took perfume. As she anointed Jesus, the fragrance filled the room. She’d sat as a disciple, she’d been a faithful friend, and now, with costly fragrance, she honored Christ again. Soon Judas was complaining, “This gift could have been sold; We could have helped the poor here— the young ones and the old. Yet Jesus said, “My people will always help the poor, but Mary chose to give this— to me, her dying Lord.” Her gift was her expression of thankfulness and praise, and so it makes us wonder, in these long Lenten days: What would we give to Jesus if he sat at our meal? What gift would be our kindness and what would it reveal? O Lord, today we offer the best that we can bring— our worship as a fragrance, our love, an offering. And now, as we’re reminded the poor are with us still, we pray that we may serve them— to honor you, as well. Biblical References:  John 12:1-8 Tune: … [Read more...]

ASH GROVE 6.6.11.6.6.11 D ("Let All Things Now Living") “Can’t wait till your deathbed!  You might as well drop dead!” A son told his dad. “Give my share of this place.” His dad chose to give him some land that they lived on. That son sold the land; it was quite a disgrace. He went from that country and wasted the money. There came a great drought; he was soon feeding swine. Life gave him a beating; he longed to be eating the pods in the pig yard at his dinnertime. He lost his pretenses and came to his senses: “The servants at home have it better than this.” The hurting son hurried, but still he was worried: Would he be forgiven or killed or dismissed? His dad said, “You’re living!” and ran to forgive him; he said, “Bring a ring and and a robe! Sandals, too! Now make a feast ready!  It’s time for a party! My son who was dead has a life that is new!” The elder son, listening, heard music and dancing; 
he heard that his brother had been welcomed home. He stood … [Read more...]