Hymns by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette

O God of life, your healing touch brings wholeness and salvation!
In you, this world you love so much becomes a new creation.

Through Jesus Christ you blessed the poor, unleashed your gifts of healing.
You gave new sight, new strength, new life — to all, your love revealing.

O Christ, the loving healer still, you gather us for mission
To serve your people who are ill, whatever their condition.

You send us to the suffering with medicine and caring;
Now make our lives an offering to those who are despairing.

Lord, by your Spirit, may we hear the truth of others' stories.
May we respect their doubts and fears, their hopes and dreams, their worries.

And when their ways are not our own, Lord, give us understanding:
Our faith cannot be fully grown when we are too unbending.

How long, Lord, shall we serve the poor — a week, a month, a season?
We ask the question, hoping for a limit to our mission.

But open wide our hearts anew and show us, as we're giving,
Your life-long call to serving you in daily, generous living.