Hymns by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette

A hymn for the first Sunday in Advent
God, You Alone Know What You've Planned
CAROL 8.6.8.6 D (It Came Upon the Midnight Clear)

God, you alone know what you've planned For earth and sky and sea.
Creation waits your loving hand To bring in what will be.
When things we trust in shift and shake And sorrows multiply,
We hear you calling, "Keep awake! Redemption is close by!"

O Christ, you taught us, "Watch the trees As seasons change each year,
For when they bud and grow new leaves You know that summer's near."
May we look round this changing earth And see with faith-filled eyes
Your signs of newness, life and birth That witness to the wise.

Though heav'n and earth will pass away, Your word will still be true.
O Son of Man, on that great day, We'll be secure in you.
For at the close of history When all that's past shall end,
The one who judges us will be No stranger, but a friend.

So by your Spirit may we share The life you're bringing forth:
May we seek justice, end despair, And work to heal the earth.
For there's a new day coming near With no more death or pain;
Till then, we'll seek to serve you here And welcome in your reign.

The Presbyterian Outlook magazine commissioned this hymn and sells it ($9.95) with the hymn text and music together as a downloadable bulletin insert. Your purchase helps support this excellent religious magazine.

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.

 
Helpful Reading on Christian Hope
  • Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church by N. T. Wright: A popular writer and top biblical scholar, Wright explores "new heavens and a new earth," the "second coming" of Jesus and Christian hope. He argues that what we believe about life after death impacts what we believe about life before death. Wright's book carefully explains that God intends to renew the whole creation, starting at Easter, and therefore the Church cannot stop at "saving souls" but must work for God's reign in the whole world with healing and hope for today. This understanding of a biblical-grounded Christian hope empowers Jesus' followers today to faithful service today.
  • Christian Doctrine by Shirley Guthrie: This book, originally written for an adult Sunday School class, became a bestselling overview of the Christian beliefs. Carolyn had it as a college textbook; it was later revised and it has been used for adult classes in two churches where she has been a pastor. This book has an excellent chapter on Christian hope for individuals and the world; see pages 373-400.
  • Books on the Apostles' Creed include commentaries and insights on the Creed's affirmation that "he will come to judge the living and the dead."
  • The Apostles' Creed for Today by Justo L. González is one of the newest books on the creed. This gifted church historian and theologian shows the creed's meaning for today with discussion questions at the end of each chapter.
  • A Christian Primer: The Prayer, the Creed, the Commandments by Albert Curry Winn is a very readable book filled with new insights into the pillars of the faith: The Lord's Prayer, The Apostles' Creed, and The Ten Commandments. Carolyn has given this book to new members in her church.
  • Exploring and Proclaiming the Apostles' Creed edited by Roger E. Van Harn is a rich collection of essays by top theologians from diverse backgrounds on each part of the creed followed by sermons of outstanding preachers.
  • "I Believe": Exploring the Apostles' Creed by Alister E. McGrath is a popular evangelical writer's examination of how this traditional statement of faith speaks to Christians today.
  • The Apostles' Creed by William Barclay offers biblical insights about the creed by this popular writer of Daily Study Bible commentaries on the New Testament.
  • The Creed: What Christians Believe and Why it Matters by Luke Timothy Johnson is a wonderful, ecumenical explanation of the Nicene Creed by a top Roman Catholic scholar who teaches the New Testament at a Methodist seminary (Emory).
 
Books on Year B and Advent
 
Books on Mark
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