A creation hymn

A creation hymn

A Hymn for This Sunday
and A New Book of Hymns
by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette

[7-22-09]

This coming Sunday, July 26th, the lectionary’s gospel lesson is the story of the feeding of the 5000. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette’s hymn, "Where is Bread?", is inspired by this biblical story. The hymn is in the new book of hymns by Carolyn and also on the web site as well as on the Christian Reflection journal web site (with text and music together).

Since 1998, Carolyn Winfrey Gillette has been writing hymns that often have peace and justice themes. She writes new words to well-known hymn tunes, following the example of Jane Parker Huber and other hymn writers. Carolyn's first book of hymns, Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today's Worship, was published by PCUSA's Geneva Press in 2000. Many of her hymns can be found online posted by the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, Presbyterian Hunger Program, Sojourners, Church World Service, National Council of Churches and others. The Witherspoon Society has been the first web site to post some of her hymns online that are now in her new book: "Creator God, You Made the Earth," "For Freedom, Christ Has Set Us Free!" , "A Hymn for Peace," "You Formed Us in Your Image, Lord" and others.

In June 2009, Carolyn's second book of 77 new hymns was published by Discipleship Resources: Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor. The hymns celebrate biblical stories, the church year, sacraments, missions, peace and justice.

Each hymn comes with a page-long reflection that helps it be a devotional for personal meditation and prayer (great summer reading!) as well as a resource for worship services. The book also includes indices to scriptural references, topics, lectionary texts and tunes.

Clifton Kirkpatrick, former PCUSA General Assembly Stated Clerk and President of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, wrote the following that is one of the endorsements on the new book's back cover:

"Whenever there is an important season in the life of the Church, a major step forward in Christian unity, or a human or natural disaster that calls for lament and consolation, I have come to expect a new hymn from Carolyn Winfrey Gillette that lifts up in song our deepest yearnings to God. And what a gift those hymns have been! Many of those of songs, along with others, have now found their way into a new book of hymns and meditations by Carolyn, Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor. This book is a tremendous gift to the all the people of God to renew our worship and connect it in powerful ways to the mission and unity of the Church. It is also a rich resource for our prayer life and a strong reminder of God's call to us all to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly (Micah 6: 8). I recommend it with great enthusiasm to all who seek songs of grace that lead us to serve God and neighbor more faithfully!"

Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor can be ordered is available from Upper Room Books, Cokesbury and Amazon. The book makes a great gift for pastors, musicians, others who enjoy hymns and devotions, and libraries (church and public). Presbyterian Peace Fellowship is giving autographed Songs of Grace to people who donate $65 for their 65th anniversary.

A new hymn celebrating our Creator God
suggested for May 26^th

[5-20-02]

Bruce Gillette has sent this hymn, written by his spouse, Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. Our thanks to both of them!

Bruce writes:

"Ancient Ways, New Hope" was the theme for the April 2002 conference of the National Association of Presbyterian Clergywomen (NAPC) in Albuquerque, NM. Marjorie J. Thompson, the PCUSA minister who is the director of the Pathways Center for Christian Spirituality at the Upper Room and author of Soul Feast : An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life, was the keynote speaker. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette was asked by NAPC to write a new hymn based on the themes of Thompson's presentations on ancient wisdom and practices relating to the earth/contemplative vision; relating to time/keeping sabbath time; and relating to others/forgiveness and reconciliation. The new hymn, with references to the creation story, would be a good one for May 26th with the lectionary's texts of Genesis 1:1-2:4 and Psalm 8.

Creator God, You Made the Earth
ST. COLUMBA 8.7.8.7 ("The King of Love My Shepherd Is" PH # 171)

Creator God, you made the earth,
A gift beyond comparing.
You called it good, you gave it worth,
You placed it in our caring.

You gave your gift of Sabbath rest,
Your pattern for creation.
You give us times to heal, to bless,
To join in celebration.

You give us Christ, who reconciled
The things of earth and heaven.
In him, you call each one your child!
What wondrous love you've given!

Because we've turned away from you,
Your world still needs your healing.
Creation longs to be made new
Through Christ, your love revealing.

God, by your Spirit, may we be
Communities of caring,
That as we're healed, your world may see
The hope that we are sharing.

Biblical Texts: Gen. 1-2:3, Romans 8:18-23, Exodus 5:12-15, Luke 7:36-47, Colossians 3:12-16
Tune: Ancient Irish melody. Tune is in public domain.
Alternate Tune: DOMINUS REGIT ME 8.7.8.7 by John Baccus Dykes, 1868. (PH#174)
Text: Copyright ©© 2002 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
305 South Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071 Phone: (856)-589-8444
Email: Bruce.Gillette@ecunet.org

An alternative hymn about creation and environmental stewardship is "The Earth is the Lord's" to the Welsh tune of ST.DENIO 11.11.11.11 ("Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise") and can be found on the web site of Earth Ministry: http://www.earthministry.org/hymns.htm#The Earth is the Lord's

Carolyn Winfrey Gillette has written other hymns about the Trinity ("I Believe" is a paraphrase of the Apostles' Creed); the Great Commission (Sunday's gospel text); the gifts of church members with disabilities (May 26th is PCUSA's Access Sunday) and Memorial Day. Check out the web site list of her hymns at http://www.firstpresby.org/hymnlist.htm

You are welcome to share the hymn with your online friends and neighboring pastors & church musicians (please include the copyright and contact information). Please drop me a note to my personal email address if you want permission to use this
hymn.

Blessings on you and your ministry!

Grace and Peace,
Bruce

Bruce & Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, Co-Pastors
First Presbyterian Church, 305 South Broadway, Pitman NJ 08071
Office Phone: (856)-589-1050 Home Phone: (856)-589-8444
Email: Bruce.Gillette@ecunet.org Church Fax: (856)-589-1051
Church website: http://www.firstpresby.org/