Hymns by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
Down by the Jordan, a prophet named John was baptizing,
Preaching a message the people found bold and surprising:
"God will forgive! Show that you'll change how you live!
Surely God's new day is rising!"
There by the river, the crowd came with great expectation:
"Are you God's Chosen One, sent here to rescue our nation?"
"No!" John replied. "He who is mightier than I
Judges and offers salvation."
Jesus, you went to be baptized along with the others,
Taking your place among sinners, God's lost sons and daughters.
Then with great love, God's Spirit came as a dove!
Your work began in those waters.
Here in the Church, we are baptized and filled with God's Spirit.
Freed and forgiven, we're welcomed with joy! Can you hear it?
This is God's sign! This is how God says, "You're mine!"
Let's take the good news and share it!
Hymn Use Permission: Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (Upper Room Books, 2009) includes a permission note for those who own this book to use this hymn (along with the 76 other new hymns in the book) in their local church's worship services. People who do not own Songs of Grace are asked to contact Carolyn (bcgillette@comcast.net) for permission to use the hymn and to get a copy of the hymn formatted for worship bulletin use.
Consider buying these books for yourself, your church library and your public library, where they have the potential of touching the lives of people you might never meet.
- Daily Feast: Meditations from Feasting on the Word, Year B, edited by Kathleen Long Bostrom and Elizabeth F. Caldwell, is a wonderful, new (2011) daily devotional that contains Scripture passages for the coming Sunday from the lectionary, excerpts from these very popular commentaries for reflection, a response, and a prayer. Additional material is provided for each Sunday.
- Feasting on the Word: Year B, Volume 1, Advent through Transfiguration, edited by David L. Bartlett and Barbara Brown Taylor, looks at each lectionary passage from the four perspectives (exegetical, theological, pastoral and homiletically) by great pastoral preachers, seminary professors of Bible and preaching.
- Preaching God's Transforming Justice: A Lectionary Commentary, Year B, edited by Ronald J. Allen, Dale P. Andrews and Dawn Ottoni-Wilhelm, looks at each Sunday's lectionary texts from social justice perspectives as well as additional special days (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Earth Day, etc.). Writers are pastors, social writers and seminary professors of preaching, Bible and ethics.
- The People's New Testament Commentary by M. Eugene Boring and Fred B. Craddock is a wonderful single volume commentary that Carolyn used in teaching a course for commissioned lay pastors and is one she recommends to all pastors and lay people.
- Mark (Belief: A Theological Commentary on the Bible) by William C. Placher is a new commentary filled with unique theological reflections by a wonderful theologian who was a long-time writer for Christian Century magazine.
- Conversations With Scripture: The Gospel of Mark by Marcus Borg offers the new insights by a popular (and controversial) writer and biblical scholar. The book includes wonderful questions for individual study and small group discussions.
- Mark: A Commentary (New Testament Library) by M. Eugene Boring: This is the best, in-depth commentary on Mark filled with insights by a top biblical scholar.
- Mark: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching by Lamar Williamson is an outstanding commentary by a former mission worker in Africa and long-time seminary professor that offers two sections on each passage, excellent biblical examination of the text and then great ideas for its significance for today.
- Preaching Mark by Bonnie Bowman Thurston is a wonderful guide by a biblical scholar who is also an authority on spirituality, especially the works of Thomas Merton.
- Preaching the Gospel of Mark: Proclaiming the Power of God by Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm offers great ideas by a professor of preaching who shows how the gospel relates to today's world.
- Binding the Strong Man: A Political Reading of Mark's Story of Jesus by Ched Myers: When this book came out Walter Wink said this book was the most important commentary on the Bible since Karl Barth's one on Romans. The 20th anniversary edition continues to offer unique insights for those concerned with being faithful and working for peace and justice.
- Preaching Mark in Two Voices by Brian K. Blount and Gary W. Charles is a wonderful combination of insightful reflections and sermons by a top biblical teacher/preacher (now seminary president) and gifted preacher.
- The People's New Testament Commentary by M. Eugene Boring and Fred B. Craddock is a wonderful single volume commentary that Carolyn used in teaching a course for commissioned lay pastors and is one she recommends to all pastors and lay people.
- 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).