Hymns by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
O God, our hearts were shattered On that horrendous day;
We heard the news and gathered To grieve and then to pray.
We cried to you and wondered, "Where did the violence start?"
The world as we had known it Had just been torn apart.
We heard of those who perished — Of heroes' sacrifice.
We paused again to cherish The gifts of love and life.
We worried for the future; We hugged our loved ones then.
We cried, "Can peace be found here?" "We can't let terror win!"
Some sought to answer terror The only way they knew —
With anger toward the stranger And calls for vengeance, too.
Yet this is not your answer, Nor what you would create.
May we live toward a future Where love will conquer hate.
God, give us faith and wisdom To be your healing hands;
Give open minds that listen To truth from all your lands.
Give strength to work for justice; Grant love that casts out fear.
Then peace and not destruction Will be the victor here.
Carolyn Winfrey Gillette wrote "O God, Our Words Cannot Express" on September 11, 2001; the hymn was used by many churches on that evening and in the days that followed. "God, We've Known Such Grief and Anger" was commissioned by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for the first anniversary of 9/11. "O God, Our Hearts Were Shattered" was written for the tenth anniversary, Sunday, September 11, 2011.
The National Council of Churches has the hymn text with the music. (PDF file)
The national United Methodist Worship Office has done their own version of the hymn text with the music.
The hymn notes for O God, Our Words Cannot Express tell the story of the day's impact on our church.
Carolyn Winfrey Gillette is the author of Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor (Discipleship Resources/Upper Room Books, 2009) and Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today's Worship (Geneva Press, 2000) and the co-pastor of Limestone Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware. A complete list of her 160+ hymns can be found at www.carolynshymns.com.
Deny
Them Their Victory: A Religious Response to Terrorism
A broad spectrum of the U.S. religious community, including
Evangelical, Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant Christians —
as well as Muslim and Jewish leaders — have joined their
signatures to this interfaith statement.
Christian
Understanding of War in an Age of Terror(ism)
This study guide is based on a paper developed
for the 2011 Ecumenical Centennial Gathering
of the National Council of Churches
and Church World Service held in New Orleans.
Faithful
Living in a Time of Violence and Terrorism (PDF file)
A study guide on the Resolution on Violence, Religion, and Terrorism
adopted by the 216th General Assembly (2004) of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.).
September
11 Remembrance
is the Presbyterian Church (USA) collection of online resources in areas
of Education, Liturgy, Theology, Interfaith Witness, Pastoral Care,
Devotional, Remembrances, Bibliography and other links.
- 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).