Hymns by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette

At the Dawn of Your Creation
HYMN TO JOY (8.7.8.7 D) ("Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee")

At the dawn of your creation, God, you spoke, "Let there be light!"
You divided earth from heaven, you created day and night.
You made sunbeams dance with shadows, you created energy!
Peaceful evenings, bright tomorrows, all began with "Let there be..."

By your word, you formed creation: dry land, water, ocean breeze.
Soon there burst forth vegetation — plants with fruit, majestic trees.
Rain and snow and changing seasons, creatures filling land and sea —
God, your very good creation all began with "Let there be..."

When you made us as your children, sending us throughout your lands,
You commanded, "Have dominion — care for earth; it's in your hands."
Yet we hurt this world you've given; we harm earth and sky and sea.
We forget it's your creation — you, who once said "Let there be..."

At this joyful celebration, may we hear your word anew: *
May we care for your creation, knowing it's a trust from you.
Just as daily there's a dawning, bringing light to all we see,
So we daily hear your calling — you, who once said, "Let there be..."

Biblical References: Genesis 1-2; Psalms 8; Romans 8:18-25
Tune: Ludwig van Beethoven, 1824; arranged by Edward Hodges ("Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee")
Text: Copyright © 2008 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Email: bcgillette@comcast.net     New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com/

Hymn Use Permission: This hymn is copyrighted and is not covered by any organization (such as CCLI or OneLicense) that gives churches permission to use church music. If you would like to use this hymn, please contact Carolyn and Bruce Gillette (bcgillette@comcast.net) for permission and to get a copy of the hymn in MS Word format for bulletin use. See also A Dozen Ways to Support Carolyn's Hymn Writing.


Hymn Note for "At the Dawn of Your Creation"

Other hymns by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette celebrating God's creation (mountains, beaches, animals and more) and environmental stewardship can be found at Earth Care hymns.

* This hymn was originally used for the dedication of the 180 solar panels on the sanctuary of Limestone Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware where the hymn writer Carolyn Winfrey Gillette is the co-pastor. The first line of the last verse's original wording reflected the solar dedication:
"At this solar dedication, may we hear your word anew:"

 
Earth Care resources

Other creation care hymns can be found on the Earth Care and Stewardship pages.