Gillette hymns

New hymns commemorate the attack, raise relief funds for those who have been so deeply hurt

"O God, Our Words Cannot Express," a hymn written by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette in response to the September 11^th attacks, has attracted much interest, and is being used in a video distributed by Church World Service in support relief efforts related to Sept. 11^th.

We have posted details and another equally appropriate hymn.

[10-11-01]

Bruce Gillette, her spouse and co-pastor, has sent this note:

"O God, Our Words Cannot Express" is a hymn that Carolyn wrote in response to September 11th that has been sung by churches throughout the United States, Canada, England, Scotland, Netherlands, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Australia as well as being on the BBC and PBS-TV.

Church World Service (CWS) is offering a free video of this hymn to support relief efforts related to September 11th. The hymn is sung by Noel Paul Stookey of "Peter, Paul and Mary," and the Northfield Mount Herman School Choir and the video produced by Emmy-winner Pete Staman. This video uses the video footage of Stookey and the choir, along with a moving collection of photos and videos related to September 11 and afterwards, to make a 2 minute "music video" that can be used as a "minute for mission."

You can listen and/or view this video on the CWS web site. The hymn's text is on the UMCOR web site.

This Sunday's lectionary from Luke 17, the story of the healing of the ten lepers, shows Jesus' concern for the whole person (body & spirit) as well as for the foreigner (the despised Samaritan was the one who returned to give thanks). I am concerned about the millions of Afghan refugees as winter approaches after a brutal drought and 20 year civil war there. To that end we are encouraging people to support the relief efforts.

The following hymns can be used in congregational and ecumenical services to support relief efforts for the millions of Afghan refugees. See the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance web site for more about Presbyterian efforts to help these refugees.

You are welcome to share the hymns with neighboring pastors or other online friends.

Carolyn Winfrey Gillette wrote this hymn to help ecumenical relief efforts for the refugees from the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia. Church World Service has the original hymn posted on its web site. Carolyn has revised the hymn's wording for use by churches who want to support the relief efforts for the Afghan refugees in 2001.

God, How Can We Comprehend?
ABERYSTWYTH 7.7.7.7 D

God, how can we comprehend---- though we've seen them times before--
Lines of people without end fleeing danger, want, and war?
They seek safety anywhere, hoping for a welcome hand!
Can we know the pain they bear? Help us, Lord, to understand!

You put music in their souls; now they struggle to survive.
You gave each one gifts and goals; now they flee to stay alive.
God of outcasts, may we see how you value everyone,
For each homeless refugee is your daughter or your son.

Lord, your loving knows no bounds; you have conquered death for all.
May we hear beyond our towns to our distant neighbors' call.
Spirit, may our love increase; may we reach to all your earth,
Till your whole world lives in peace; till we see each person's worth.

Biblical References: Luke 15:1, Matthew 25:31-46, John 3:16; Colossians 1:20; John 14:26-27.
Text: Copyright ©© by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, 1999, rev. ed. 2001. All rights reserved. Copied from "Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today's Worship" by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, Geneva Press. 2001. Email: Bruce.Gillette@ecunet.org

Tune: ABERYSTWYTH 7.7.7.7 D by Joseph Parry, 1879. "Watchman, Tell Us of the Night" PH# 20

Permission is given for free use by the author for any congregation supporting the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and ecumenical relief efforts for refugees. Please include the above copyright and contact information (in smaller type) when copying the hymn text or sharing it with others. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette is the co-pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Pitman, NJ and author of "Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today's Worship" (Geneva Press, 2000).

"God, You Wrap Your Love Around Us" is a hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette written for use to support Church World Service''s Blanket Sunday. The hymn mentions the baby Jesus as a refugee and is to the well-known tune of CONVERSE 8.7.8.7 D "What A Friend We Have in Jesus" UMH #526, PH #403 You can find the text at the CWS web site.

Please share these worship resources with neighboring pastors or other online friends. Blessings on your ministry in these difficult times.

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: Bruce.Gillette@ecunet.org Church Fax: (856)-589-1051
Church website: http://www.firstpresby.org/