Hymns by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
O God, who formed creation and made each living thing,
We've seen the devastation that war and conflict bring.
We long to stop the violence and end the scourge of war;
We yearn for peace and justice, now and forevermore.
We join in celebration of those who've heard your call
To bring together nations and seek the good for all.
We thank you for their labors to bring a lasting peace,
That we might live as neighbors and justice might increase.
Some care for your creation, some daily feed the poor;
Some offer education, or seek an end to war.
Some labor bringing healing, or care for refugees;
It's you, O Lord, they're serving, in doing each of these.
This work to heal the nations becomes our calling, too.
For reconciliation is first a gift from you.
As we have been forgiven, may we reach out to share
The peace that comes from heaven with nations everywhere.
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.
This hymn was requested by the Presbyterian United Nations Office and the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program for the celebration of United Nations Day 2007 (October 24).
The first verse is inspired by the Preamble of the United Nations Charter.
The second verse celebrates those who have served and are serving in the United Nations and other international peacemaking efforts.
The third verse lifts up some of the work of UN agencies and programs (like food, environmental, humanitarian and refugee) and draws from Matthew 25:34-40.
The final verse is a prayer that we as people of faith will respond to God's peace by being peacemakers.
This UN hymn is available as a music video on YouTube.
Adapted from Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (Upper Room Books, 2009).
- 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).