Hymn for Peace

Death in Jerusalem
and a Hymn for Peace

Hymns for this time of war

The Rev. Carolyn Gillette has written some hymns that may be helpful for worship for those concerned about the war in the Middle East.

God Whose Love is Always Stronger

A New Hymn for Peace (March 17, 2003)
This hymn was written on the eve of the war with Iraq and continues to be relevant today.
To the tune of BEACH SPRING 8.7.8.7 D "God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending"

A Hymn for Peace

A Hymn for Peace dedicated to the Memory of Shaul Lahav, Grandson of Helen and Paul Loeb, who was killed on November 18, 2003 on the road between Bethlehem and Jerusalem

This hymn was written after we heard that the grandson of a church member was killed while serving in the Israeli Defense Force.

To the tune of LEONI 6.6.8.4 ("The God of Abraham Praise")

The story behind this hymn, and the hymn itself, are also on this page -- just scroll down a bit.

God, How Can we Comprehend?

This hymn is for use by churches who want to support the relief efforts for war's refugees .

To the tune of ABERYSTWYTH 7.7.7.7 D "Watchman, Tell Us of the Night" or "Jesus, Lover of My Soul"

Thanks to Bruce Gillette

From Bruce Gillette -

Presbyterian elder's grandson killed in Israel

... and A Hymn for Peace

[11-20-03]

A tragic death - yet another one - has struck another Presbyterian congregation, as the grandson of a Presbyterian elder is killed in Jerusalem.

Bruce Gillette, co-pastor of the church, responded with his thoughts, and his co-pastor, Carolyn Gillette offered a new hymn - a hymn of lament and of trust.

Not From This World

Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here." From John 18:33-37 (Gospel Text for Christ the King Sunday, November 23)

We got the news early Tuesday morning that a grandson of a Pitman church elder was killed in Israel. Shaul Lahav, the 20 year-old grandson of Paul and Helen Loeb, was killed today while serving in the Israeli Defense Force. The Jerusalem Post has a front page article about this tragic death:

"The army has released the names of two soldiers killed Tuesday morning on the tunnel road which links the Bethlehem-area Gush Etzion communities to Jerusalem. The two were Sgt.-Maj. Shlomi Belski, 23, from Haifa and St.-Sgt. Shaul Lahav, 20, from Kibbutz Shomrat in the north. The shooting attack took place at 6am when a Palestinian gunman approached the roadblock with his rifle - an AK 47 - concealed in a prayer mat, then shot the soldiers from point-blank range. The gunman fled the scene on foot and was picked up by a waiting vehicle which sped him off in the direction of Bethlehem. IDF troops have begun operating in Bethlehem as a result of the attack…

"Army post commander St.-Sgt. Shaul Lahav of Kibbutz Shomrat was the 2nd of 4 children born to David and Yehudit Lahav. The couple made aliya in the early 1970's as part of an American Nahal group. Shaul's mother Yehudit is a lecturer at Yad Nathan regional college, where their eldest daughter Ya'el studies. The father, David, works in high-tech. Lironne -- Shaul's younger brother -- is currently doing national service in Be'er Sheva, and sister Neta is in the ninth grade. Kibutz secretary Dorit Becker described Shaul as a popular boy, a tall and enthusiastic volleyball player who was also an outstanding student. "He was so young -- he didn't even manage to live his life, yet." Details of Shaul Lahav's funeral will be released pending the arrival of family relatives for the US; Sgt.- Maj. Shlomi Belski will be buried at the Haifa Military Cemetery."

For a more complete report, see the article in the Jerusalem Post, Nov. 18, 2003, page one

A prayer mat was used to conceal a gun to kill another human being. Jesus said, "My kingdom is not from this world."

One of the Loebs' sons (David Lahav) is a convert to Judaism and has lived in Israel for thirty years. Paul Loeb serves as an elder on the session of the First Presbyterian Church in Pitman, NJ. He was at our church on Monday evening for the Property Commission meeting. Monday night he talked with me about going to Tuesday''s West Jersey Presbytery meeting. Helen Loeb is a Professor of Education and Chairperson of the Education Department at American Baptist Churches-related Eastern University. They are a couple of deep faith who have given their lives to serving others and are rich blessings to the Pitman church. We all grieve with them today. Tuesday night I drove Paul and Helen Loeb to Newark airport for them to catch a flight to Israel to attend the funeral of Shaul. We all grieve with them today. Your prayers for the family and for peace are appreciated.

We are singing a new hymn for peace this Sunday in Pitman:

A Hymn for Peace
Tune: LEONI 6.6.8.4 ("The God of Abraham Praise")

A Hymn for Peace dedicated to the Memory of Shaul Lahav, Grandson of Helen and Paul Loeb, who was killed on November 18, 2003 on the road between Bethlehem and Jerusalem

Another son is killed,
Another daughter dies,
And loving, waiting homes are filled
With loved ones' cries.
As rivers never sleep,
So wars flow on and on.
Hang up your harps, sit down and weep
For those now gone!

We grieve for children lost,
For hearts too sad to pray;
We mourn, O Lord, the growing cost
Of hatred's way.
And sure as threats increase
And anger turns to war,
We pray that we may find a peace
Worth struggling for.

We know your way, O Lord,
For all your people here:
A plowshare from a fighting sword,
A transformed spear!
Now comfort those who grieve,
Be in each saddened home,
And by your grace may we believe--
And seek Shalom.

Psalm 137:1-2 and Isaiah 2:4
Tune: Hebrew melody adaptation by Thomas Olivers and Meyer Lyon, 1770.
Text: ©© 2003 Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved. Email: bcgillette@snip.net A complete list of her other hymns can be found at http://firstpresby.org/hymnlist.htm

"In a world that assumes the status is quo, that things have to be the way they are and that we must not assume too much about improving them, the doxologies of God's people are fundamental indicators that wonders have not ceased, that possibilities not yet dreamt of will happen, and that hope is an authentic stance." Patrick D. Miller, Jr. of Princeton Theological Seminary, Theology Today, 1988, p. 186.

Blessings on you and your ministry for Christ's kingdom of peace, justice and love.

Grace and Peace,

Bruce
Bruce & Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, Co -Pastors
First Presbyterian Church, 305 South Broadway, Pitman NJ 08071
Office Phone: (856) -589 -1050
Home Phone: (856) -589 -8444
Email: bcgillette@snip.net
Church Fax: (856) -589 -1051
Church website: http://www.firstpresby.org/