Hymns by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
A man owned a vineyard and needed a crew
To tend to his land — there was plenty to do.
He called out to people downtown in the square,
"Come work hard all day and I'll pay you what's fair."
God, you call and you send; there is work here to do.
There's your whole world to tend; may we garden for you!
O Lord, in your vineyard may we seek to be
The workers who tend to your justice and peace.
He went back a number of times on that day;
He called to new workers and promised fair pay.
Can we but imagine those first workers' rage
When all those who labored received the same wage?
God, the gift of your grace comes as quite a surprise.
For your mercies embrace even latecomers' lives.
May all who have worked long and hard humbly learn:
Your grace is a gift and not something we earn.
He called the complainers and said, "This is true —
That I kept my word and I gave you your due.
I share with compassion; I'm loving and kind.
I care for all people and give what is mine!"
God you give what is yours, more than what we deserve;
May we reach out in love where you call us to serve.
May we who have witnessed your grace gladly share
Your justice and love with your world everywhere.
Hymn Use Permission: Churches that support Bread for the World have permission to use this hymn.
This hymn was inspired by Jesus' parable of grace and justice in Matthew 20:1-16 with the hope that it will inspire Christians to help people in poverty, whose numbers are increasing.
Jesus' Parable of the Compassionate Employer (Matthew 20:1-16)
"This parable has long been called the parable of the workers in
the vineyard. Such a title assumes that the workers are the focus of the
parable. The same confusion reigns with the parable in Luke 15:11-32, which
has traditionally been called the parable of the prodigal son, as if the
wayward younger son were the central figure in the parable rather than the
father. The central focus of this story is the amazing compassion and grace
of the employer, rather than the employees. I prefer to call this story the
parable of the compassionate employer, for throughout the day this vineyard
owner demonstrates sensitivity and compassion for the unemployed. That deep
concern is then augmented by his generosity at the end of the day."
"Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes:
Cultural Studies in the Gospels"
by Kenneth E. Bailey
(InterVarsity Press, 2008, p. 355)
Today's News: Number of poor hit record 46 million in 2010
"The U.S. poverty rate hit its highest level since 1993 last year
with a record 46 million Americans living below the poverty line, according
to a government report on Tuesday that depicted the grim effects of stubbornly
high unemployment. Underscoring the economic challenges that face President
Barack Obama and Congress, the U.S. Census Bureau said the poverty rate rose
for a third consecutive year to hit 15.1 percent in 2010. The number in
poverty was the largest since the government first began publishing
estimates in 1959. The United States has the highest poverty rate among
developed countries, according to the Paris-based Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development. The poverty line for an American family of
four with two children is an income of $22,113 a year. The data showed that
children under 18 suffered the highest poverty rate, 22 percent, compared
with adults and the elderly."
"Number of poor hit record 46 million in 2010"
by David Morgan (Reuters, September 13, 2011)
Carolyn Winfrey Gillette is the author of Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor (Upper Room Books, 2009) and Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today's Worship (Geneva Press, 2000) and the co-pastor of Limestone Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware. Bread for the World has a number of Carolyn's justice related hymns posted on its web site. A complete list of the 190+ hymns by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, many with peace and justice themes, can be found at www.carolynshymns.com.
- Check out the rest of this web site for other wonderful hymns.
- Consider buying Carolyn's two books of hymns that give permission to use the book's hymns in a local church: Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today's Worship by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (Geneva Press, 2000) and Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (Upper Room Books, 2009)
- Share the hymn and her hymns web site with people in your church and other online friends in other churches.
- Check out A Dozen Ways to Support Carolyn's Hymn-writing (including hymn use permission).