Hymns by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
You formed us in your image, Lord;
You call us your own children.
In you, each one is loved, adored —
Unique among the millions.
Bless, Lord, the families
Who know the joy: Christ claims and frees!
Bless, too, the ones who weep,
Forgetting that you love them.
You made our homes to honor you
With love the strong foundation.
In serving God and neighbor too,
We find our life's vocation.
Bless families large and small
Who love and serve you when you call.
Bless, too, the ones who fear —
Whose trust and love are shattered.
Christ loved and honored family,
Yet showed us what is greater.
He taught a higher loyalty
To God our good Creator.
Bless, Lord, the ones who long
To build up homes where faith is strong.
Bless children, women, men
Who risk to serve your kingdom.
In home and church our faith is formed;
We learn your love and caring.
From here we're called to face the storm,
Your love and justice bearing.
Each day your Spirit sends!
We go to strangers, neighbors, friends.
Peace, justice, joy we bring
To all your human family.
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 written for Carlisle Presbytery's Discover and Connect event on family ministries where Bruce and Carolyn Winfrey Gillette gave the keynote presentation and were workshop leaders. Carolyn found the draft of PCUSA report "Transforming Families" (PDF file; free download) to be helpful for writing this hymn and for ministry with families; she and Bruce were later asked to write the study/action guide for the "Transforming Families" report.
Bruce and Carolyn Gillette also wrote Active Parenting Now in the Faith Community: A Biblical & Theological Guide with Dr. Freda Gardner, the revised ecumenical guide for the popular Active Parenting Now (third edition).
See excerpts from the books online at the Amazon links.
99 Ways to Raise Spiritually Healthy Children by Kathleen Long Bostrom
Family the Forming Center: A Vision of the Role of Family in Spiritual Formation by Marjorie J. Thompson
Nurturing Faith in Families: 425 Creative Ideas for Family Ministry by Jolene L. Roehlkepartain
Keeping House: The Litany of Everyday Life by Margaret Kim Peterson
In the Midst of Chaos: Caring for Children as Spiritual Practice (The Practices of Faith Series) by Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore
Real Kids, Real Faith: Practices for Nurturing Children's Spiritual Lives (J-B Families and Faith Series) by Karen-Marie Yust
The Power of God at Home: Nurturing Our Children in Love and Grace by J. Bradley Wigger