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Hymns for Progressive Presbyterians
by Bill LeMosy |
More progressive hymns
[1-9-06]The Rev. Bill
LeMosy has shared with us four hymn texts that he has written, which he
hopes might "fit the bill" for a
request by the Rev. Dorothy Duquette for hymns that are suitable and
nourishing for a progressive Presbyterian congregation.
>> For Advent:
Dreamers, Awake This Holy Day
>> For Epiphany:
The Magi Came from Far Away
>> The Lordship of Christ:
Come to the Feast
>> God of the Hurting
We have also posted previously a number of the hymn texts
written by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. Here are a few samples:
>>
You Formed Us in Your
Image, Lord -- a hymn for families
>>
Creator God, You Made the Earth
-- celebrating the God of creation
>>
A Voice Was Heard in Ramah
-- for the day after Christmas
There are more from Ms. Gillette. Just do a little
Google search on this site (and others). |
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Another source for progressive, non-violent hymns
[1-24-06]
Bill LeMosy adds this
suggestion:
One source for non-bloody hymns is Worship in the
Spirit of Jesus: Theology, Liturgy and Songs Without Violence. It's by
Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer and Bret Hesla. Mr. Hesla contributed some interesting
new hymns along with piano (and guitar chords for some) accompaniment. |
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Dreamers, Awake This Holy Day
Tune: Dove of Peace ("I Come with Joy")
Words: © Bill LeMosy, 2005
Texts: Psalm 126:1; Isaiah 61:1 ff.
Dreamers, awake this holy day,
Your hope comes as the dew.
A Spirit comes upon you now
To move you forth anew,
To move you forth anew.
So, face the Advent wilderness
Wherein you now are born.
The gracious One empowers you
As people of the morn,
As people of the morn.
The hungry ones shall walk with you
As sisters, brothers true.
The homeless too, the tired and lame,
Shall find God’s love in you,
Shall find God’s love in you.
Be not dismayed if you should fall,
For Christ the Lord does lead.
You still shall travel by his grace
And captives shall be freed,
And captives shall be freed.
Now, hold the dream within your soul
And with your feet do pray.
The Christ who comes now brings you home
Here in our present day,
Here in our present day.
The words for "Dreamers, Awake This Holy
Day" are by William B. LeMosy, Copyright (c) 2006. Permission is granted for
one-time use. For further permission, please contact him at
lemosy6975@msn.com
.
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The Magi Came
from Far Away
Tune: "O Tannenbaum"
Text: Bill LeMosy © 2006
The magi came from far away,
Somewhere east near Babylon.
A star they followed all the way,
Straight to Herod, they did come.
Where is the child king of the Jews?
We’ve seen his star arising.
King Herod quivered on his throne
Feeling threatened to the bone.
The learned of all Israel
Herod then assembled.
They searched the prophets anxiously,
All the while they trembled.
Where is the king of Israel,
Born to save the nation?
From Bethlehem of Judah-land
Soon shall come salvation.
With frankincense and myrrh they went
Following their vision
The house where child and Mary lived
Was their destination.
Strange gifts they brought him for a birth,
To embalm and bury!
Then off they went toward home again
Warned they should not tarry.
These sorcerers from far away
By their wisdom made us see
That men and women everywhere
Are all one in mystery.
Neither Jew nor Greek exist,
Muslim, Jain nor Christian.
The One who reconciles the world
Renovates our vision.
The words for "The Magi Came from Far
Away" are by William B. LeMosy, Copyright (c) 2006. Permission is granted
for one-time use. For further permission, please contact him at
lemosy6975@msn.com
.
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Come to
the Feast
Tune: Dove of Peace ("I Come with Joy")
Words: © Bill LeMosy, 2005
Text: Matthew 22:1-14
Come to the feast, the wedding
feast
Of Christ the royal Son!
Come honor him, the Lord of all;
The dancing has begun,
The dancing has begun.
Come from the streets and prisons full
Where broken ones abide;
Come bad and good alike today,
You will not be denied,
You will not be denied.
Come celebrate the graciousness
Of One who authors life,
And leave behind the pridefulness
That leads to endless strife,
That leads to endless strife.
Come give allegiance to the God
Who made you heart and soul,
And give yourself to what is done
To make creation whole,
To make creation whole.
Now, clothe yourself in righteousness,
Let justice be your home,
And leave behind the gods of power
Who make creation moan,
Who make creation moan.
The words for "Come to the Feast" are by
William B. LeMosy, Copyright (c) 2006. Permission is granted for one-time
use. For further permission, please contact him at
lemosy6975@msn.com
.
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God
of the Hurting
Music: Morning Has Broken
God of the hurting, God of the struggler,
You offer blessing to woman and man.
When we are broken, tired and thirsty,
Heal by your wounded, compassionate hand.
God of the planets, God of the sparrow,
You relish much we hold or defile.
Help us remember you are the Parent,
We sisters, brothers, of your Christ Child.
God of the searcher, God of the doubter,
Jesus loved Thomas despite his demand.
When we lose bearings and wander the desert,
Fill us with Spirit, help us to stand.
God, you have given a sanctified mission,
Join where you make life healthy and whole.
Give us the courage to challenge what sickens;
Give us the wisdom to care for each soul.
Music: Gaelic melody.
Text: Copyright © 1999 by William Boyer LeMosy.
The words for "God of the Hurting" are by William B.
LeMosy, Copyright (c) 2006. Permission is granted for one-time use. For
further permission, please contact him at
lemosy6975@msn.com .
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A number of the most important actions of the 219th
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Amendment 10-A,
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Amendment 10-2,
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PVJ's
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Mitch Trigger, PVJ's
Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where
Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
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Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott, who has created
this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years of scholarship
and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the
voices of feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy,
students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers
and devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God
in whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God
through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through
articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and
thoughtful community. |
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John Harris’ Summit to
Shore blogspot
Theological and philosophical
reflections on everything between summit to shore, including
kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology,
politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New
York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive
New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the
Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian
Church in Flushing, NY. |
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John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian minister, currently
serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton,
Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized
and disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and
lightening up. |
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