RISE Hymns
Lyric Archive
“The 23rd Psalm”
~(NEW BRITAIN) from the metrical psalter of the Church of Scotland
The Lord's my shepherd, I'll not want;
He makes me to lie down,
In pastures green; he leads me
To the quiet waters by.
My soul he does restore again,
And He makes me to walk
Within the paths of righteousness,
All for his own name's sake.
Yet, though I walk in death's dark vale,
Oh, I will fear no ill:
For He is with me, and his rod
And staff do comfort still.
He’s set a feast before my eyes,
In presence of my foes;
My head with oil He anoints
My cup, it overflows.
Goodness and mercy all my life
Will surely follow me;
And in God's house for evermore
My dwelling-place shall be.
“Amazing Grace”
~John Newton & William Walker
Amazing grace (how sweet the sound)
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come:
'twas grace hath brought us safe thus far,
and grace will lead us home.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun.
_____________________________
The Story: John Newton (b. London, England, 1725; d. London, 1807) was born into a Christian home, but joined his father at sea when he was eleven. His licentious and tumultuous sailing life included a flogging for attempted desertion from the Royal Navy and captivity by a slave trader in West Africa. After his escape he himself became the captain of a slave ship. Several factors contributed to Newton's conversion: a near-drowning in 1748, the piety of his friend Mary Catlett, (whom he married in 1750), and his reading of Thomas à Kempis' Imitation of Christ. In 1754 he gave up the slave trade and, in association with William Wilberforce, eventually became an ardent abolitionist.
NEW BRITAIN (also known as AMAZING GRACE) was originally a folk tune, probably sung slowly with grace notes and melodic embellishments. Typical of the Appalachian tunes from the southern United States, NEW BRITAIN is pentatonic with melodic figures that outline triads. It was first published as a hymn tune in shape notes in Columbian Harmony (1829) to the text "Arise, my soul, my joyful pow'rs." It was first set to "Amazing Grace" in William Walker’s Southern Harmony (1835).
“America the Beautiful”
~Katharine Lee Bates
O beautiful for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw
Confirm thy soul in self-control
Thy liberty in law!
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
“Be Thou My Vision”
~Celtic Folk Tune, Translated by Eleanor Hull
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light
Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father; thine own may I be,
Thou in me dwelling and I one with thee.
Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise
Thou mine inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only first in my heart
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art
High King of heaven, my victory won
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O ruler of all
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"Be Thou My Vision" is an 8th century Irish hymn that was translated by Eleanor Hull in 1912. Today the hymn is sung to the Irish folk tune "Slane". This song is rooted in medieval Celtic Christianity and is believed to be an original poem that may have been written by an Irish saint who experienced blindness later in life.
“CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY”
~Charles Wesley
Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
“Christ, You Spoke to Us of Children”
~Text: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2019) / Music (W ZLOBIE LEZY): Polish Melody
Christ, you spoke to us of children:
"Let the children come to me.
Do not stop them, for the kingdom
Is for little ones like these."
God, we grieve now as our nation
Fails its moral obligation
To receive the refugees.
Christ, you spoke of God's intention:
"Do not cause my children harm!"
Yet we place them in detention,
Far from loved ones, scared and worn.
Children, huddled close together,
Grieve for families that are severed;
God of love, what have we done?
Christ, you taught us to give water
And to help the ones who thirst.
Yet in places near the border,
We confess we've done our worst.
Those who walk must now walk farther.
We have made their journey harder;
We dump water in the dirt.
God of immigrant and stranger,
God who welcomes those in need,
When your children are in danger,
Will we love them or concede?
May we not seek cheap forgiveness
Till we dare to work for justice —
Till your little ones are freed.
“COME, THOU FOUNT (NETTLETON)”
Come, thou fount of ev’ry blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace.
Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it, mount of God’s unchanging love.
Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by thy help I'm come,
and I hope, by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger, wand'ring from the fold of God.
He to rescue me from danger, interposed his precious blood.
Oh, to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be!
Let that grace now, like a fetter, bind my wand'ring heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.
Here's my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above!
“The COmmon Good”
~Chris Zepp
In this world where strife and hatred cause division with our friends
It is hard to find a vision that unites instead of rends
Politicians stoke division, talking heads just make it worse
So-called leaders chase poll numbers, taking care of their own purse
Our attention gets diverted, scapegoats blamed for all our ills
Immigrants and those of color, and the rednecks in the hills
Queer and trans folk, even women - we could all make quite a list!
Irregardless of our passions, everyone must coexist
But the church should be much different — for each other we should live
Looking not to our own interests, but instead to what we give
Can we take our love and caring into public, witness bear?
The Golden Rule we preach on Sunday, our world needs us all to share
The pursuit of earthly treasure drives us all to some degree
Yet the quest for wealth and riches will not lead us to be free
Jesus calls us to be giving, generous with all we own
Open handed with our bounty - needy cared for, justice sown
In this country, it is given — certain rights won’t be suppressed
Life and liberty and freedom to pursue our happiness
But our freedom doesn’t come free, obligation is implied
Liberty does not come solo — to our neighbors it is tied
Politics cause us to worry, what will happen in the end
It is tempting to believe that all depends on who will win
Yes the outcome can determine whether justice will be done
But no matter who’s elected, we still live by faith alone
We are called to love our neighbors even when we disagree
Work for justice, and for mercy — turn the “me” into a “we”
Then together we shall flourish, treating each as if our own
The common good shall be our calling — faith-filled values be made known
“For The Beauty Of The Earth”
~Folliott Sandford Pierpoint (1864)
For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.
For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon and stars of light,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of ear and eye,
For the heart and mind’s delight,
For the mystic harmony
Linking sense to sound and sight;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild;
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.
For thy Church which evermore
Lifteth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore
Her pure sacrifice of love,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.
“God, With Joy We Look Around Us”
~Text: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2000) / Music (REGENT SQUARE): Henry Thomas Smart (1867)
God, with joy we look around us
At your world's diversity.
Folk of every kind surround us
And you call your church to see:
All are made in your own image!
All are people whom you love!
In the times we've hurt each other,
Lord, we've hurt the ones you bless.
Hating sister, cursing brother,
We've denied what you express:
All are made in your own image!
All are people whom you love!
God, you sent a Savior to us,
Breaking walls that would divide.
By your Spirit, now work through us
As we witness side by side:
All are made in your own image!
All are people whom you love!
“Great is Thy Faithfulness”
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be
Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love
Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine with 10, 000 beside
Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
“HERE I AM LORD”
I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
My hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them.
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide,
till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?
Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
“Holy Holy Holy”
~Reginald Heber and John B. Dykes
Holy Holy Holy, Lord God almighty
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee
Holy Holy Holy, merciful and mighty
God in three persons, blessed trinity
Holy Holy Holy, all the saints adore thee
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee
Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be
Holy Holy Holy, Lord God almighty
All thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea
Holy Holy Holy, merciful and mighty
God in three persons, blessed Trinity
“Holy Spirit, come with power” (Beach Spring)
~B.F. White, The Sacred Harp (1844)
Holy Spirit, come with power, breathe into our aching night.
We expect you this glad hour, waiting for your strength and light.
We are fearful, we are ailing, we are weak and selfish too.
Break upon your congregation, give us vigor, life anew.
Holy Spirit, come with fire, burn us with your presence new.
Let us as one mighty choir sing our hymn of praise to you.
Burn away our wasted sadness and enflame us with your love.
Burst upon your congregation, give us gladness from above.
Holy Spirit, bring your message, burn and breathe each word anew
Deep into our tired living till we strive your work to do.
Teach us love and trusting kindness, lend our hands to those who hurt.
Breathe upon your congregation and inspire us with your word.
“How Can I Keep From Singing”
My life flows on in endless song,
above earth’s lamentation.
I hear the sweet, though far off hymn
that hails a new creation.
Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear its music ringing.
It sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?
While though the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth it liveth.
And though the darkness round me close,
songs in the night it giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that rock I’m clinging.
Since love is Lord of heaven and earth,
how can I keep from singing?
I lift my eyes, the clouds grow thin,
I see the blue above it.
And day by day this pathway clears,
since first I learned to love it.
The peace from love makes fresh my heart,
a song of hope is ringing.
All things are mine, since truth I’ve found.
How can I keep from singing?
No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that rock I’m clinging.
Since love is Lord of heaven and earth,
how can I keep from singing?
“In Christ Alone”
~Stuart Townend & Keith Getty
In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
“In CHrist There Is No East Or West”
~Joel and Melissa Littlepage, arr. by Brent Holl with additional lyrics by CWZepp
In Christ there is no East or West, in him no North or South
But one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth.
In him shall true hearts everywhere their high communion find.
His service is the golden cord close binding humankind.
Join hands then children of the faith! What er'e your race may be.
Whoever loves God as a child is surely kin to me!
In Christ, we all are called to share the good news as we live.
We go wherever we are called, the love of God to give.
In Christ we all are welcome here, his gracious love to share,
We have a place here with our friends, who come from everywhere.
Join hands then children of the faith! What er'e your race may be.
Whoever loves God as a child is surely kin to me!
In Christ our lives are witnesses, his love our lives should show.
We share and care and serve and love, wherever we may go.
In Christ, we're baptized in God's love - God's Spirit makes us new!
With water and with word made fresh God's gift to me and you!
Join hands then children of the faith! What er'e your race may be.
Whoever loves God as a child is surely kin to me!
“It is well*”
~Horatio Spafford
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
"It is well, it is well with my soul."
It is well (it is well)
with my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control:
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and has shed his own blood for my soul.
It is well (it is well)
with my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul.
My sin oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
my sin, not in part, but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more;
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well (it is well)
with my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul.
O Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend;
even so, it is well with my soul.
It is well (it is well)
with my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul.
________________________________
*Late in 1873, Horatio G. Spafford and his family were scheduled to travel from the United States to Europe. Delayed by pressing business, Spafford sent his wife and daughters ahead on the French liner Ville du Havre. The ship collided with the English ship Lochearn on November 22 and sank in just twelve minutes. Spafford's wife was saved, but his daughters perished. After arriving in Wales, Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband, "Saved alone." Spafford then left by boat to meet her. Near the tragic scene on the high seas, he wrote this text.
“Lord, Listen to your Children Praying”
~Ken Medema
Lord, listen to your children praying
Lord, send your Spirit in this place
Lord, listen to your children praying
Send us love, send us pow’r, send us grace…
Something's gonna happen like the world has never known,
when the people of the Lord get down to pray;
A door's gonna swing open, and the walls come a-tumbling down,
when the people of the Lord get down to pray.
When the people of the Lord, oh the people of the Lord,
When the people of the Lord get down to pray;
A door's gonna swing open, and the walls come a-tumbling down,
when the people of the Lord get down to pray.
Lord, listen to your children praying
Lord, send your Spirit in this place
Lord, listen to your children praying
Send us love, send us pow’r, send us grace…
He's gonna take over, He's gonna take control,
when the people of the Lord get down to pray;
He's gonna move the mountain, He's gonna make the waters roll,
when the people of the Lord get down to pray.
You're gonna know it when the Lord stretches out His hand,
when the people of the Lord get down to pray;
There's gonna be a brand new song of vict'ry in this land,
when the people of the Lord get down to pray.
Lord, listen to your children praying
Lord, send your Spirit in this place
Lord, listen to your children praying
Send us love, send us pow’r, send us grace…
“Make Me a Channel of Your Peace” (Prayer of St. Francis)
~Adapted by Sebastian Temple
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is hatred let me bring your love
Where there is injury your pardon, Lord,
And where there’s doubt, true faith in you
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there’s sadness ever joy.
Master, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved, as to love with all my soul
Make me a channel of your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving of ourselves that we receive
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.
“A mighty fortress is our God”
A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God's own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same;
and he must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.
That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever!
“MORNING HAS BROKEN”
Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the world
Sweet the rains new fall, sunlit from Heaven
Like the first dewfall on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where His feet pass
Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God's recreation of the new day
Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the world
“Move in our midst”
~Text by Kenneth Morse / Tune and amendments by Brent Holl
Move in our midst, O Spirit of God.
Go with us down from your holy hill.
Walk with us through the storm and the calm.
Spirit of God, now go with us still.
Touch now our hands to lead us aright.
Guide us forever, show us your way.
Transform our darkness into your light.
Spirit of God, still lead us today.
Strike from our feet the fetters that bind.
Lift from our lives the weight of our wrong.
Teach us to love with heart, soul, and mind.
Spirit of God, your love makes us strong.
Kindle our hearts to burn with your flame.
Raise up your banners high in this hour.
Stir us to build new worlds in your name.
Spirit of God, O send us your pow’r!
“Praise God (Doxology)”
~Music: Louis Bourgeois, Text: Ruth Duck (v2) & Thomas Ken (v1&v3)
Praise God, the Source of life and birth
Praise God, the Word who came to Earth
Praise God, the Spirit, holy Flame
All glory, honor to God’s name
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son & Holy Ghost
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise her all creatures here below
Praise her above, ye heavenly host
Praise Mother, Son and Holy Ghost
Praise God, the Source of life and birth
Praise God, the Word who came to Earth
Praise God, the Spirit, holy Flame
All glory, honor to God’s name
“See the precious children”
~Text: Anna Strickland (2025) / Music (BEACH SPRING): B.F. White (1844)
See the precious children seated on the lap of Christ our Lord
Called the greatest in the kingdom held so gently and adored
They are precious in the sight of God who made each tiny toe
In their weakness they’re held by love as each day they learn and grow
See the precious widowed women gleaning harvests from the field
Then returning to their kitchen to prepare their daily meal
They are precious in the sight of God who holds their broken hearts
In their sorrow they’re held by love that redeems each fragile part
See the precious foreign strangers as they carry all they own
To a land that’s full of dangers for the powerless and prone
They are precious in the sight of God who made their homeland, too
In their journey they’re held by love as each day they start anew
See the precious dispossessed ones asking for some food to eat
Sleeping under starry heavens, daily living on the streets
They are precious in the sight of God who loves them as a child
In their hunger they’re held by love as they guard their human pride
See the precious world impoverished by our malice and our greed
Humans, animals, and planet crying out for some relief
We’re all precious in the sight of God who made each holy thing
In our living we’re held by love as we care for every being
“There are many gifts” (“Many Gifts”)
~Patricia Shelly
There are many gifts, but the same Spirit.
There are many works, but the same God,
and the Spirit gives each as it chooses.
Praise the Lord, Praise God.
Now one has the gift of wisdom,
another the calling to speak,
one the ability to comfort,
another the calling to teach
There are many gifts, but the same Spirit.
There are many works, but the same God,
and the Spirit gives each as it chooses.
Praise the Lord, Praise God.
A body has many members,
yet all work in unity.
The church is the body of Christ,
his arms, ears and eyes, hands and feet
There are many gifts, but the same Spirit.
There are many works, but the same God,
and the Spirit gives each as it chooses.
Praise the Lord, Praise God.
Not all are called to be prophets,
and not all are called to preach,
but all should aim for the best gifts
and love is the greatest of these
There are many gifts, but the same Spirit.
There are many works, but the same God,
and the Spirit gives each as it chooses.
Praise the Lord, Praise God.
“This is God’s Sacred World”
~Maltbie D. Babcock and Franklin L. Shepperd, arr. Brent Holl
This is God’s sacred world
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres
This is God’s sacred world
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas
God’s hand the wonders wrought
This is God’s sacred world
The birds their carols raise
The morning light, the lily white
Declare their maker's praise
This is God’s sacred world
God shines in all that's fair
In the rustling grass, I hear God pass
God speaks to me everywhere
This is God’s sacred world
O let us not forget
What’s going wrong seems much too strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is God’s sacred world
Why should my heart be sad?
To the Lord we sing, let the heavens ring
God reigns, let the earth be glad
To the Lord we sing, let the heavens ring
God reigns, let the earth be glad
“Two Fishermen”
~Suzanne Toolan
Two fishermen, who lived along the Sea of Galilee,
stood by the shore to cast their nets into the ageless sea.
Now Jesus watched them from afar, then called them each by name.
It changed their lives, these simple men; they’d never be the same.
“Leave all things you have and come and follow me,
and come and follow me.”
And as he walked along the shore ‘twas James and John he’d find,
and these two sons of Zebedee would leave their boats behind.
Their work and all they held so dear they left beside their nets.
Their names they’d heard as Jesus called; they came without regret.
“Leave all things you have and come and follow me,
and come and follow me.”
O Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John beloved one,
you heard Christ’s call to speak good news revealed to God’s own Son.
Susanna, Mary, Magdalene who traveled with your Lord,
you ministered to him with joy for he is God adored.
“Leave all things you have and come and follow me,
and come and follow me.”
And you, good Christians, one and all who’d follow Jesus’ way,
come leave behind what keeps you bound to trappings of our day,
and listen as he calls your name to come and follow near;
for still he speaks in varied ways to those his call will hear.
“Leave all things you have and come and follow me,
and come and follow me.”
“Welcoming God”
~Text: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (1998) / Music (ASSURANCE): Phoebe Palmer Knapp (1873)
Children are welcome, Christ said one day,
When the disciples just urged them away.
Children are welcome at Jesus' knee:
God's own examples for ministry.
Welcoming God, you open the Way;
Even the smallest worship and pray,
Singing with faith and serving you well,
Your life to know and good news to tell.
Women are welcome, as are the men;
Through God's own Spirit, we're partners again.
Partners as prophets, ministers, too:
No more divided — made one in you.
Welcoming God, you open the way;
Those once divided join now to pray,
Serving at Table, preaching your Word,
So that your love for all will be heard.
Outcasts are welcome; sinners are, too,
Eating with Jesus and being made new:
Some like Zacchaeus turned right around;
Wounded and poor ones felt peace profound.
God of great love, you stand at the door,
Welcoming people outcast and poor.
So you forgive and call us to be
Filled with the joy of your jubilee.
So may we welcome into our pew
All who in Jesus are being made new —
All those who seek him, wanting to know,
Wanting to love him, wanting to grow.
Welcoming God, you stand at our door,
As someone different, outcast or poor.
With longing eyes, Lord Jesus, you search.
May we all welcome you in your church.
“We Walk by Faith”
~Lyrics: Henry Alford / Tune: Marty Haugen / Refrain & arr. Brent Holl
We walk by faith, and not by sight;
No gracious words we hear
From Him who spoke as none ne'er spoke,
But we believe him near.
He is near, yes, He is near
By our faith, He is near.
He is near, yes, He is near
By our faith, He is near.
We may not touch His hands and side,
Nor follow where He trod;
But in His promise we rejoice,
And cry, "My Lord and God!"
He is near, yes, He is near
By our faith, He is near.
He is near, yes, He is near
By our faith, He is near.
Help then, O Lord, our unbelief;
And may our faith abound,
To call on you when you are near,
And seek where you are found.
He is near, yes, He is near
By our faith, He is near.
He is near, yes, He is near
By our faith, He is near.
That when our lives of faith are done,
In realms of clearer light,
We may behold you as you are,
With full and endless sight.
He is near, yes, He is near
By our faith, He is near.
He is near, yes, He is near
By our faith, He is near.
“When the Storms of Life are Raging”
When the storms of life are raging, stand by me; (stand by me)
when the storms of life are raging, stand by me. (stand by me)
When the world is tossing me like a ship upon the sea,
thou who rulest wind and water, stand by me. (stand by me)
In the midst of tribulation, stand by me; (stand by me)
in the midst of tribulation, stand by me. (stand by me)
When the hosts of hell assail, and my strength begins to fail,
thou who never lost a battle, stand by me. (stand by me)
In the midst of faults and failures, stand by me; (stand by me)
in the midst of faults and failures, stand by me. (stand by me)
When I’ve done the best I can, and my friends misunderstand,
thou who knowest all about me, stand by me. (stand by me)
In the midst of persecution, stand by me; (stand by me)
in the midst of persecution, stand by me. (stand by me)
When my foes in war array undertake to stop my way,
thou who rescued Paul and Silas, stand by me. (stand by me)
When I’m growing old and feeble, stand by me; (stand by me)
when I’m growing old and feeble, stand by me. (stand by me)
When my life becomes a burden, and I’m nearing chilly Jordan,
O thou Lily of the Valley, stand by me. (stand by me)
“You Shall Go Out With Joy”
~Steffi Geiser Rubin / Stuart Dauermann
You shall go out with joy, And be let forth with peace
And the mountains and the hills will break forth before you
There'll be shouts of joy and all the trees of the fields
Will clap, will clap their hands
And all the trees of the fields will clap their hands
The trees of the fields will clap their hands
The trees of the fields will clap their hands
While you go out with joy
(Repeat)