Hymn #569 in Celebrating Grace Hymnal — “In Christ Alone” [pullquote_center width=”75%”]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…
Hymn #345 in Celebrating Grace Hymnal — “When Morning Gilds the Skies” [pullquote_center width=”65%”]Does sadness fill my mind? A solace here I find, May Jesus Christ be praised! Or fades my earthly bliss? My comfort still is this, May Jesus Christ be praised![/pullquote_center] This anonymous German text from around 1800 contains as many as twelve verses (as…
Hymn #471 in Celebrating Grace Hymnal — “Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy” [pullquote_center width=”78%”]Come, ye weary, heavy-laden, lost and ruined by the fall; If you tarry till you’re better, you will never come at all. Let not conscience make you linger, nor of fitness fondly dream; All the fitness he requireth is to feel your need…
Hymn #478 in Celebrating Grace Hymnal — “God Is Calling Through the Whisper” God is calling through the voices of our neighbors’ urgent prayers: Through their longing for redemption and for rescue from despair. Place of hurt or face of needing; strident cry or silent pleading: God is calling—can you hear? God is calling—can you hear? “Oh,…
Hymn #450 in Celebrating Grace Hymnal — “With Water Freely Flowing” [pullquote_center width=”75%”]By water and the Spirit baptized in Christ, we rise To walk new paths unfolding before our opened eyes. We journey from this moment, faith’s pilgrimage embrace. By Spirit and by water we feel and sense God’s grace.[/pullquote_center] There is a long and rich tradition…
Hymn #114 in Celebrating Grace Hymnal — “Gentle Mary Laid Her Child” [pullquote_center width=”75%”]Gentle Mary laid her child lowly in the manger; There he lay, the undefiled, to the world a stranger: Such a Babe in such a place, can he be the Savior? Ask the saved of all the race who have found his favor.[/pullquote_center] “The…
Hymn #307 in Celebrating Grace Hymnal — “All Creatures of Our God and King” [pullquote_center width=”60%”]All creatures of our God and King, lift up your voice and with us sing Alleluia! Let all things their Creator bless, and worship him in humbleness, Alleluia![/pullquote_center] The text of this ancient hymn is attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, and…
Hymn #29 in Celebrating Grace Hymnal — “God Has Given Us Creation” [pullquote_center width=”90%”]God has given us creation, stars and atoms, soil and air, To explore, to tend and nourish, to sustain us and to share. Through the nothingness of chaos came the word, “Let there be light!” Still the universe expanding sings of its Creator’s might.[/pullquote_center]…
Hymn #566 in Celebrating Grace Hymnal — “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” [pullquote_center width=”75%”]A thousand ages in thy sight are like an evening gone; Short as the watch that ends the night, before the rising sun.[/pullquote_center] Time is such a strange concept. Each day has twenty-four hours in it; some seem to fly by and…
Hymn #425 in Celebrating Grace Hymnal — “How Firm a Foundation” [pullquote_center width=”70%”]When through the deep waters I call thee to go, The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow; For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.[/pullquote_center] There are lots of ways to look at the rough patches…