Hymns by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
When John the Baptist preached for all to hear,
He said, "Repent! The kingdom has come near!"
His rough, prophetic manner caused surprise,
But people heard his words and were baptized.
Prepare the Lord's own way! Make his paths straight!
It's time to change! We can no longer wait!
Among the crowds that day were mighty men
Who proudly traced their line to Abraham.
But John proclaimed that they should change their ways —
For trees that don't bear fruit are set ablaze.
Prepare the Lord's own way! Make his paths straight!
It's time to change! We can no longer wait!
O God, we harm creation by our greed;
We overlook our neighbors in their need.
We let our lives be ruled by hate and fear;
Your call to change is one we need to hear:
Prepare the Lord's own way! Make his paths straight!
It's time to change! We can no longer wait!
And Lord, you call for change in your church, too,
For even here we've wandered far from you.
Renew in us a vision of your Way,
And give us strength and courage to obey.
Prepare the Lord's own way! Make his paths straight!
It's time to change! We can no longer wait!
Note to Musicians: The musical accompanist or choir director may invite the congregation to sing the third stanza in a slower, more meditative way, to reflect the words of that text, and then to pick up the tempo with the message of John the Baptist in the refrain.
The Presbyterian Outlook magazine commissioned this hymn and sells it ($9.95) with the hymn text and music together as a downloadable bulletin insert. Your purchase helps support this excellent religious magazine.
Consider buying these books for yourself, your church library and your public library, where they have the potential of touching the lives of people you might never meet.
- Daily Feast: Meditations from Feasting on the Word, Year B, edited by Kathleen Long Bostrom and Elizabeth F. Caldwell, is a wonderful, new (2011) daily devotional that contains Scripture passages for the coming Sunday from the lectionary, excerpts from these very popular commentaries for reflection, a response, and a prayer. Additional material is provided for each Sunday.
- Feasting on the Word: Year B, Volume 1, Advent through Transfiguration, edited by David L. Bartlett and Barbara Brown Taylor, looks at each lectionary passage from the four perspectives (exegetical, theological, pastoral and homiletically) by great pastoral preachers, seminary professors of Bible and preaching.
- Something Is About To Happen: Sermons for Advent and Christmas, by Thomas G. Long, is a wonderful collection of sermons by one of today's best preachers on the Advent passages for Year B. Long is currently professor of preaching at Chandler School of Theology after previously teaching at Princeton Theological Seminary.
- The Birth of the Messiah: A Commentary on the Infancy Narratives in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke by Raymond E. Brown is the classic study of the Christmas stories by a top Catholic biblical scholar who taught for many years at Union Seminary in New York.
- Preaching God's Transforming Justice: A Lectionary Commentary, Year B, edited by Ronald J. Allen, Dale P. Andrews and Dawn Ottoni-Wilhelm, looks at each Sunday's lectionary texts from social justice perspectives as well as additional special days (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Earth Day, etc.). Writers are pastors, social writers and seminary professors of preaching, Bible and ethics.
- An Adult Christ at Christmas: Essays on the Three Biblical Christmas Stories — Matthew 2 and Luke 2 by Raymond E. Brown is a very readable book for people in the pews (and pastors in pulpits) filled with insights on the Christmas stories (sort of a Reader's Digest Condensed Version from this top biblical scholar's classic 753-page The Birth of the Messiah).
- The People's New Testament Commentary by M. Eugene Boring and Fred B. Craddock is a wonderful single volume commentary that Carolyn used in teaching a course for commissioned lay pastors and is one she recommends to all pastors and lay people.
- Mark (Belief: A Theological Commentary on the Bible) by William C. Placher is a new commentary filled with unique theological reflections by a wonderful theologian who was a long-time writer for Christian Century magazine.
- Conversations With Scripture: The Gospel of Mark by Marcus Borg offers the new insights by a popular (and controversial) writer and biblical scholar. The book includes wonderful questions for individual study and small group discussions.
- Mark: A Commentary (New Testament Library) by M. Eugene Boring: This is the best, in-depth commentary on Mark filled with insights by a top biblical scholar.
- Mark: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching by Lamar Williamson is an outstanding commentary by a former mission worker in Africa and long-time seminary professor that offers two sections on each passage, excellent biblical examination of the text and then great ideas for its significance for today.
- Preaching Mark by Bonnie Bowman Thurston is a wonderful guide by a biblical scholar who is also an authority on spirituality, especially the works of Thomas Merton.
- Preaching the Gospel of Mark: Proclaiming the Power of God by Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm offers great ideas by a professor of preaching who shows how the gospel relates to today's world.
- Binding the Strong Man: A Political Reading of Mark's Story of Jesus by Ched Myers: When this book came out Walter Wink said this book was the most important commentary on the Bible since Karl Barth's one on Romans. The 20th anniversary edition continues to offer unique insights for those concerned with being faithful and working for peace and justice.
- Preaching Mark in Two Voices by Brian K. Blount and Gary W. Charles is a wonderful combination of insightful reflections and sermons by a top biblical teacher/preacher (now seminary president) and gifted preacher.
- The People's New Testament Commentary by M. Eugene Boring and Fred B. Craddock is a wonderful single volume commentary that Carolyn used in teaching a course for commissioned lay pastors and is one she recommends to all pastors and lay people.
- 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).