Hymns by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette

  • May 19, 2013/Pentecost C (Ordinary 7C)
    • Acts 2:1-47
      Pentecost Had Come
      ARGENTINA (11.11.11.11 with Refrain) (Song of Hope)
      The hymn celebrating Pentecost remembers how "Suddenly the Spirit came in wind and flame, Sending men and women out in Jesus' name" (Acts 2).
    • Acts 2
      Spirit of God
      O QUANTA QUALIA (11.11.11.11) (God of Compassion, in Mercy Befriend Us)
      Books: Gifts of Love, Voices Found
      This hymn celebrates biblical stories of the Spirit from creation, through the prophets, Jesus (including his baptism), Pentecost and today.
      Anthem with composer Michael Bedford; available from the Choristers Guild
    • Acts 2
      Faithful God, You Sent Your Spirit
      NETTLETON (8.7.8.7 D) (Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing)
      This hymn celebrates the church welcoming all.
    • God of the Women
      SLANE (10.10.9.10) (Be Thou My Vision)
      Books: Gifts of Love, Voices Found
      This hymn celebrates the faithfulness of biblical women, including as the first witnesses to Jesus' resurrection, and is a popular hymn for Mother's Day.
    • 1 Corinthians 12
      There Are Many Ways of Sharing
      NETTLETON (8.7.8.7 D) (Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing)
      Book: Songs of Grace
    • 1 Corinthians 12:13
      We Enter Your Church, Lord
      CRADLE SONG (11.11.11.11) (Away in a Manger)
      Book: Songs of Grace
      A new hymn celebrating the gift of baptism as a sign of God's love and a call to share this love with others.
    • I Believe (The Apostles' Creed)
      AUSTRIAN HYMN (8.7.8.7 D) (Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken)
      Book: Gifts of Love
  • May 26, 2013/Trinity C (Ordinary 8C)
    • Genesis 1-2:4; Psalms 8
      O God, the Great, Wide Seas are Yours
      MELITA (8.8.8.8.8.8) (Eternal Father, Strong to Save)
      Creation care; the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
    • I Believe (The Apostles' Creed)
      AUSTRIAN HYMN (8.7.8.7 D) (Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken)
      Book: Gifts of Love
    • Psalms 8
      God Made the Heavens and the Earth
      SOLID ROCK (8.8.8.8 with Refrain) (My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less)
      Book: Gifts of Love
      Creation and Environmental Stewardship
    • Genesis 1 and 2; Psalms 8 and 24
      The Earth is the Lord's
      ST. DENIO (11.11.11.11) (Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise)
      Book: Songs of Grace
      A celebration of God's creation and our call to care for it.
    • Romans 5:8
      O God Our Creator, You Work Every Day
      ST. DENIO (11.11.11.11) (Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise)
      Book: Songs of Grace
      A hymn on vocation for Christian Vocation Sunday/Labor Day Sunday lifts up Trinitarian images of God at work in the world
    • Romans 5:8-10
      We Love to Sound Your Praises
      PASSION CHORALE (7.6.7.6 D) (O Sacred Head, Now Wounded)
      Book: Songs of Grace
      Jeremiah's Lament
    • God, We Walk Through Death's Deep Valley
      VESPER HYMN (8.7.8.7.8.6.8.7) (Now, on Land and Sea Descending)
      BEECHER (8.7.8.7 D) (Love Divine, All Loves Excelling)
      Book: Gifts of Love
      "Do not let your hearts be troubled," Jesus said to those he loved.
      "There are many dwelling places in my Father's house above."
      Jesus, you have gone before us; Jesus, you will guide us there.
      Lord, we trust your hand to lead us to the place that you prepare.
  • May 27, 2013/Memorial Day (US)
    • For This Land In All Its Wonder
      CWM RHONDDA (8.7.8.7.8.7.7) (God of Grace and God of Glory)
      Book: Gifts of Love
      A hymn for a national holiday (not uniquely American)
    • God, We Walk Through Death's Deep Valley
      VESPER HYMN (8.7.8.7.8.6.8.7) (Now, on Land and Sea Descending)
      BEECHER (8.7.8.7 D) (Love Divine, All Loves Excelling)
      Book: Gifts of Love
      "Do not let your hearts be troubled," Jesus said to those he loved.
      "There are many dwelling places in my Father's house above."
      Jesus, you have gone before us; Jesus, you will guide us there.
      Lord, we trust your hand to lead us to the place that you prepare.
  • Spring and Fall Ministry Celebrations: Many churches have special celebrations of their educational and music ministries in June or September.
    We Thank You, God, for Teachers: A Hymn for Christian Education (Tune: WIE LIEBLICH IST DER MAIEN 7.6.7.6 D (We Come as Guests Invited)) is sung by many congregations when they recognize their Church School and other educational programs in the late Spring or early Fall. The hymn is also available as an anthem from the Chorister's Guild.
    All the Music Sung and Played Here (Tune: NETTLETON 8.7.8.7 D (Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing)) celebrates the gift of music in the Church and is being used for choir recognition or dedication celebrations in the late Spring or early Fall as well as at "hymn sing" services.
  • June 2, 2013/Communion
  • June 9, 2013/Pentecost 3C (Proper 5C, Ordinary 10C)
    • Luke 7:11-17, 36-50, 7:22, 15:1-32, 4:18
      O Christ, You Are Life!
      LYONS (10.10.11.11) (O Worship the King, All Glorious Above!)
      HANOVER (10.10.11.11) (Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim)
      Luke's stories of Jesus raising the widow's son at Nain (Luke 7:11-17) and forgiving a sinful woman (Luke 7:36-50) tell us about how Jesus lives out his teachings of compassion for the poor and outcasts.
    • Psalms 146
      In Times of Great Decision
      AURELIA (7.6.7.6 D) (The Church's One Foundation)
      LLANGLOFFAN (7.6.7.6 D) (Lead On, O King Eternal; Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers)
      Book: Songs of Grace
      Election Hymn on NCC Principles; a prayer for Election Day
  • June 16, 2013/Pentecost 4C (Proper 6C, Ordinary 11C)
    • Luke 24:1-12
      God of the Women
      SLANE (10.10.9.10) (Be Thou My Vision)
      Books: Gifts of Love, Voices Found
      This hymn celebrates the faithfulness of biblical women, including as the first witnesses to Jesus' resurrection, and is a popular hymn for Mother's Day.
    • Luke 7:11-17, 36-50, 7:22, 15:1-32, 4:18
      O Christ, You Are Life!
      LYONS (10.10.11.11) (O Worship the King, All Glorious Above!)
      HANOVER (10.10.11.11) (Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim)
      Luke's stories of Jesus raising the widow's son at Nain (Luke 7:11-17) and forgiving a sinful woman (Luke 7:36-50) tell us about how Jesus lives out his teachings of compassion for the poor and outcasts.
    • Luke 8:1-3
      Jesus, You Once Called Disciples
      IN BABILONE (8.7.8.7 D) (There's a Wideness in God's Mercy)
      Book: Songs of Grace
      This hymn includes the names of the original twelve disciples, but also biblical stories of Jesus' followers who were women and children.
    • Luke 8:1-3
      O Lord, You Called Disciples
      LANCASHIRE (7.6.7.6 D) (The Day of Resurrection)
      Book: Songs of Grace
      Jesus Calling Disciples
      "You met a busy woman out in the noonday sun.
      You shared God's love, you listened; you told all she had done.
      She called her friends and neighbors and brought them face to face
      With you, the living water, the bearer of God's grace."
    • Galatians 2:17-21
      For Freedom, Christ Has Set Us Free!
      ELLACOMBE (8.6.8.6 D) (I Sing the Mighty Power of God)
      Books: Songs of Grace, Singing the New Testament
  • June 16, 2013/Fathers' Day (US)
  • June 23, 2013/Pentecost 5C (Proper 7C, Ordinary 12C)
  • June 30, 2013/Pentecost 6C (Proper 8C, Ordinary 13C)
  • July 4, 2013/Independence Day (US)
  • July 7, 2013/Communion
  • July 14, 2013/Pentecost 8C (Proper 10C, Ordinary 15C)
  • July 21, 2013/Pentecost 9C (Proper 11C, Ordinary 16C)
    • Amos 8:1-12
      God, You Spoke Your Word Through Amos
      BEACH SPRING (8.7.8.7 D) (God Whose Giving Knows No Ending)
    • Colossians 1:15-28
      O Jesus, You Were Born to Be
      TRURO (8.8.8.8) (Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates)
      O WALY WALY (8.8.8.8) (Though I May Speak)
      TALLIS' CANON (8.8.8.8) (All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night)
      This hymn celebrates the names and titles of Jesus
  • July 28, 2013/Pentecost 10C (Proper 12C, Ordinary 17C)
    • Luke 11:1-13
      When You Are Praying
      NEW BRITAIN (8.6.8.6) (Amazing Grace)
      CRIMOND (8.6.8.6) (The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want)
      Book: Gifts of Love
      Jesus' teaching on prayer, including the Lord's Prayer.
  • August 4, 2013/Pentecost 11C (Proper 13C, Ordinary 18C)
    • Luke 12:13-21
      Bigger Barns
      ABERYSTWYTH (7.7.7.7 D) (Jesus, Lover of My Soul; Watchman, Tell Us of the Night)
      Book: Songs of Grace
      Jesus' Parable of the Rich Fool
    • Luke 12:13-21
      If Only I Had Known (PDF file)
      LEONI (6.6.8.4) (The God of Abraham Praise)
      Book: Songs of Grace
      Global poverty and justice issues
  • August 4, 2013/Communion
  • August 11, 2013/Pentecost 12C (Proper 14C, Ordinary 19C)
    • Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
      Long Ago, God Reached In Love
      JESUS LOVES ME (7.7.7.7) (Jesus Loves Me)
      Book: Gifts of Love
      This hymn celebrates the covenants in the Bible.
    • Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
      Abraham Journeyed to a New Country
      BUNESSAN (5.5.5.4 D) (Morning Has Broken)
      A hymn for immigrants in the Bible and today
      "Mary and Joseph feared Herod's order; Soldiers were coming! They had to flee.
      Taking young Jesus, they crossed the border; So was our Lord a young refugee."
  • August 18, 2013/Pentecost 13C (Proper 15C, Ordinary 20C)
  • August 25, 2013/Pentecost 14C (Proper 16C, Ordinary 21C)
  • Spring and Fall Ministry Celebrations: Many churches have special celebrations of their educational and music ministries in June or September.
    We Thank You, God, for Teachers: A Hymn for Christian Education (Tune: WIE LIEBLICH IST DER MAIEN 7.6.7.6 D (We Come as Guests Invited)) is sung by many congregations when they recognize their Church School and other educational programs in the late Spring or early Fall. The hymn is also available as an anthem from the Chorister's Guild.
    All the Music Sung and Played Here (Tune: NETTLETON 8.7.8.7 D (Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing)) celebrates the gift of music in the Church and is being used for choir recognition or dedication celebrations in the late Spring or early Fall as well as at "hymn sing" services.
  • September 1, 2013/Pentecost 15C (Proper 17C, Ordinary 22C)
    • Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
      Abraham Journeyed to a New Country
      BUNESSAN (5.5.5.4 D) (Morning Has Broken)
      A hymn for immigrants in the Bible and today
      "Mary and Joseph feared Herod's order; Soldiers were coming! They had to flee.
      Taking young Jesus, they crossed the border; So was our Lord a young refugee."
    • Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
      Faithful God, You Sent Your Spirit
      NETTLETON (8.7.8.7 D) (Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing)
      This hymn celebrates the church welcoming all.
    • Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
      O God, in Your Love
      ST. DENIO (11.11.11.11) (Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise)
      Book: Gifts of Love
      Inclusive Church
    • Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
      Welcoming God
      ASSURANCE (9.10.9.9 with Refrain) (Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine!)
      Book: Gifts of Love
      This hymn celebrates Jesus' reaching out and calling the Church to do the same; it includes this verse:
      "Outcasts are welcome; sinners are, too,
      Eating with Jesus and being made new:
      Some like Zacchaeus turned right around"
  • September 1, 2013/Communion
  • September 2, 2013/Christian Vocation Sunday/Labor Day (US)
  • September 8, 2013/Pentecost 16C (Proper 18C, Ordinary 23C)
  • September 11, 2013
  • September 15, 2013/Pentecost 17C (Proper 19C, Ordinary 24C)
  • September 22, 2013/Pentecost 18C (Proper 20C, Ordinary 25C)
  • September 29, 2013/Pentecost 19C (Proper 21C, Ordinary 26C)
  • October 4, 2013/St. Francis
  • October 6, 2013/Pentecost 20C (Proper 22C, Ordinary 27C)
    • Isaiah 55; Luke 17:6
      O God, When Your Land
      LYONS (10.10.11.11) (O Worship the King, All Glorious Above!)
    • Psalms 137
      Another Son Is Killed (PDF file)
      LEONI (6.6.8.4) (The God of Abraham Praise)
      Book: Songs of Grace
      This hymn for peace, also called "A Hymn for Peace," was originally written for the Middle East with references to Psalm 137, but can speak to many other contexts.
    • 2 Timothy 1:5
      Jesus, You Once Called Disciples
      IN BABILONE (8.7.8.7 D) (There's a Wideness in God's Mercy)
      Book: Songs of Grace
      This hymn includes the names of the original twelve disciples, but also biblical stories of Jesus' followers who were women and children.
    • 2 Timothy 1:5
      You Formed Us in Your Image, Lord
      GREENSLEEVES (8.7.8.7 with Refrain) (What Child Is This?)
      Book: Songs of Grace
      This hymn celebrates the gift of family, a popular one for Mother's Day and Father's Day.
  • October 6, 2013/World Communion
  • October 6, 2013/Communion
  • October 13, 2013/Pentecost 21C (Proper 23C, Ordinary 28C)
    • Luke 17:11-19
      God, Your Blessings Overflow!
      DIX (7.7.7.7.7.7) (For the Beauty of the Earth)
      A Thanksgiving hymn that celebrates our many blessings, but also God's comfort for those who are grieving during the holidays.
    • Luke 17:11-19; 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c
      Come, You Hungry Ones
      KUM BA YAH (8.8.8.5) (Kum ba Yah)
      Book: Gifts of Love
      A hymn for healing.
  • October 14, 2013/Thanksgiving Day (Canada)
    • All of Life is Filled With Wonder
      HYMN TO JOY (8.7.8.7 D) (Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee)
      IN BABILONE (8.7.8.7 D) (There's a Wideness in God's Mercy)
      A new Thanksgiving hymn celebrating the many glimpses of grace in daily life that we too often overlook.
    • God, Your Blessings Overflow!
      DIX (7.7.7.7.7.7) (For the Beauty of the Earth)
      A Thanksgiving hymn that celebrates our many blessings, but also God's comfort for those who are grieving during the holidays.
  • October 16, 2013/World Food Day
    • O God, You Send Us Out to Walk
      TALLIS' CANON (8.8.8.8) (All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night)
      CROP Walk dedication hymn for World Food Day weekend
    • O God, You Love the Needy
      LLANGLOFFAN (7.6.7.6 D) (Lead On, O King Eternal; Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers)
      A hymn to support the churches' famine relief in Africa
    • Where Is Bread?
      ABBOT'S LEIGH (8.7.8.7 D) (God Is Here!)
      Book: Songs of Grace
      Hunger and Justice Issues, Jesus' Feeding of Five Thousand and the Bread of Life
  • October 20, 2013/Pentecost 22C (Proper 24C, Ordinary 29C)
    • 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
      Your Word is Like a Lamp, O Lord
      CANONBURY (8.8.8.8) (Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak)
      Book: Gifts of Love
      A hymn celebrating the Bible as God's guide for faith and life as explained in John 20.
      "You showed your love to Israel,
      And to the world you sent your Son.
      A witness without parallel,
      The scriptures tell what you have done."
    • Psalms 119:97-104
      Happy Are Those Who Walk in Your Ways
      ASSURANCE (9.10.9.9 with Refrain) (Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine!)
      A hymn celebrating God's law and the longest chapter in the Bible.
    • Jeremiah 31:27-34
      Long Ago, God Reached In Love
      JESUS LOVES ME (7.7.7.7) (Jesus Loves Me)
      Book: Gifts of Love
      This hymn celebrates the covenants in the Bible.
    • Jeremiah 31:27-34
      We Love to Sound Your Praises
      PASSION CHORALE (7.6.7.6 D) (O Sacred Head, Now Wounded)
      Book: Songs of Grace
      Jeremiah's Lament
    • I Believe (The Apostles' Creed)
      AUSTRIAN HYMN (8.7.8.7 D) (Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken)
      Book: Gifts of Love
      This hymn on the Apostles' Creed includes the Psalms 121 reference ("maker of the earth and heaven"); it celebrates "We're surrounded by God's people, saints who in our Lord believe."
    • O God, You Send Us Out to Walk
      TALLIS' CANON (8.8.8.8) (All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night)
      CROP Walk dedication hymn for World Food Day weekend
    • 2 Timothy 3:15-16
      God Bless the Poet's Heart and Hand
      TALLIS' CANON (8.8.8.8) (All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night)
      Book: Songs of Grace
      The Mystery and Wonder of God
      "God, bless the ones who boldly dare to let the scriptures be their guide"
    • Do Not Turn Away the Children
      BEACH SPRING (8.7.8.7 D) (God Whose Giving Knows No Ending)
      Book: Songs of Grace
      Jesus Welcomes Children; Children's Sabbath Hymn
  • October 24, 2013/United Nations Day
  • October 31, 2013/Reformation Day
    • Our God, We Are a Church Reformed
      AZMON (8.6.8.6) (O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing)
      Book: Gifts of Love
      This hymn celebrates the Reformed tradition with references to what the Presbyterian constitution says about the Reformed tradition in the confessions and is a good one for Reformation Sunday.
  • November 1, 2013/All Saints Day
  • November 3, 2013/Pentecost 24C (Proper 26C, Ordinary 31C)
    • Luke 19:1-10
      Zacchaeus Was a Tax Man
      AURELIA (7.6.7.6 D) (The Church's One Foundation)
      This hymn, originally written for Bread for the World, includes some helpful background on the story of Zacchaeus by N.T. "Tom" Wright, Luke Timothy Johnson and Joel Green.
    • Luke 19:1-10
      Welcoming God
      ASSURANCE (9.10.9.9 with Refrain) (Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine!)
      Book: Gifts of Love
      This hymn celebrates Jesus' reaching out and calling the Church to do the same; it includes this verse:
      "Outcasts are welcome; sinners are, too,
      Eating with Jesus and being made new:
      Some like Zacchaeus turned right around"
    • In Times of Great Decision
      AURELIA (7.6.7.6 D) (The Church's One Foundation)
      LLANGLOFFAN (7.6.7.6 D) (Lead On, O King Eternal; Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers)
      Book: Songs of Grace
      Election Hymn on NCC Principles; a prayer for Election Day
  • November 3, 2013/Communion
  • November 10, 2013/Pentecost 25C (Proper 27C, Ordinary 32C)
    • Luke 6:20-31
      Blessed Are the Poor Among You
      PROMISES (11.11.11.9 with Refrain) (Standing on the Promises)
      Book: Gifts of Love
      Beatitudes in Luke; Prayer for Persecuted
    • I Believe (The Apostles' Creed)
      AUSTRIAN HYMN (8.7.8.7 D) (Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken)
      Book: Gifts of Love
    • God, Your Love and Care Surround Us
      BEECHER (8.7.8.7 D) (Love Divine, All Loves Excelling)
      Book: Songs of Grace
      A hymn celebrating everlasting life, good for All Saints Sunday and funerals
      "We hold onto what you promise: Earth and heav'n will be made new.
      Then your home will be among us; we will always dwell with you.
      There will be no sound of weeping; you will wipe away each tear.
      God, we trust your promise to us: Now and always, you are here."
  • November 17, 2013/Pentecost 26C (Proper 28C, Ordinary 33C)
  • November 24, 2013/Reign of Christ C (Proper 29C, Ordinary 34C)
    • Psalms 46:9
      God, Whose Love Is Always Stronger
      BEACH SPRING (8.7.8.7 D) (God Whose Giving Knows No Ending)
      Book: Songs of Grace
      For Peace on the Eve of the Iraq War March 17, 2003
      "When we're caught up in believing War will make the terror cease,
      Show us Jesus' way of living; May our strength be in your peace."
    • Luke 22:14-19
      God, What a Faith-Filled Mystery!
      ST. ANNE (8.6.8.6) (Our God, Our Help in Ages Past)
      Book: Gifts of Love
      A hymn inspired by the different biblical understandings of the atonement.
    • Luke 22:14-19
      Remember Me
      O WALY WALY (8.8.8.8) (Though I May Speak)
      Book: Songs of Grace
      Various covenant stories; salvation history, including slaves in Egypt.
    • John 10:22-30
      O Jesus, You Were Born to Be
      TRURO (8.8.8.8) (Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates)
      O WALY WALY (8.8.8.8) (Though I May Speak)
      TALLIS' CANON (8.8.8.8) (All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night)
      This hymn celebrates the names and titles of Jesus
    • Colossians 1:19
      God, With Joy We Look Around Us
      REGENT SQUARE (8.7.8.7.8.7) (Angels, from the Realms of Glory)
      Book: Songs of Grace
      Racial justice, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and celebrating diversity
    • Colossians 1:20
      God, How Can We Comprehend?
      ABERYSTWYTH (7.7.7.7 D) (Jesus, Lover of My Soul; Watchman, Tell Us of the Night)
      Books: Gifts of Love, Songs of Grace
      A hymn for refugees
  • November 28, 2013/Thanksgiving Day (US)
    • All of Life is Filled With Wonder
      HYMN TO JOY (8.7.8.7 D) (Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee)
      IN BABILONE (8.7.8.7 D) (There's a Wideness in God's Mercy)
      A new Thanksgiving hymn celebrating the many glimpses of grace in daily life that we too often overlook.
    • God, Your Blessings Overflow!
      DIX (7.7.7.7.7.7) (For the Beauty of the Earth)
      A Thanksgiving hymn that celebrates our many blessings, but also God's comfort for those who are grieving during the holidays.
 
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We are happy to send you news about new hymns by Carolyn. For example, her hymn "Abraham Journeyed to a New Country" is inspired in part by Hebrews 13, the lectionary epistle lesson for August 29th. Church World Service, Sojourners, the National Council of Churches, Mennonite Church USA, the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and others are promoting this hymn about the church's ministry with immigrants. Three of Carolyn's hymns ("Down by the Jordan," "O Christ, When You Ascended" and "Whatever You Do") are included in Worship and Song: for United Methodists (Abingdon Press, February 2011). Carolyn has several other hymns in the works.

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