Hymns by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
Peter said, "I'm going fishing," so his friends went out with him.
Through the night, they labored, watching, Hauling empty nets back in.
In the grey of early morning, Jesus, you came walking by.
From the beach you called a greeting, "Cast out on the other side!"
Soon their nets were filled to brimming; Someone cried, "It is the Lord!"
Jumping in, he started swimming; Christ, you met him on the shore.
Guiding them to better waters, Eating fish, and sharing bread —
You showed Peter and the others: You were risen from the dead!
Risen Christ, you send us fishing! God's great sea is everywhere.
You have guided us in mission, You have given love to share.
Through the years, our church has heard you, We have answered your great call:
"Cast you nets where I have told you. Bring my word of love to all!"
Lord, be with our congregation; By your spirit, send us forth!
May we care for your creation; May we work for peace on earth.
In our worship, in our giving, In our serving those in need,
May we know, Lord; you are living, Guiding us in ministry.
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 commissioned to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Little Chapel on the Boardwalk in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina with the third line of the last verse being "In our worship, in our giving, In our serving by the sea" in the original version of the hymn.
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.