"For Freedom, Christ Has Set Us Free!"  

a new hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette

[6-21-01]

We recently received this note from the Rev. Bruce Gillette:

Dear Doug,

June 17th is the first Sunday of several that has the lectionary's epistle lesson from Galatians. Here is a new hymn that Carolyn wrote inspired by Paul's letter. She wrote this at a 2001 Synod School after keynote presentations there on Galatians by Charles "Buz" Myers, chair of the religion department at Gettysburg College and speaker at a Witherspoon Society event at the 2001 GA. Buz likes it and had the whole school sing it.

Some of the hymn's phrases seem very appropriate after our GA: "We're clothed in Christ and we belong; Now no one waits outside. In him we find our common song; Old ways no more divide."

You might want to make a link from your web site to the Presbyweb page for folks who preach from the lectionary in the coming Sundays. Blessings on your important work. Grace and Peace,

Bruce

"For Freedom, Christ Has Set Us Free!" 
June 16, 2001

June 17th is the first Sunday of several that has the lectionary's epistle lesson from Galatians.  Here is a new hymn that Carolyn Gillette wrote, inspired by Paul's letter.

Tune: ELLACOME CMD: "I Sing the Mighty Power of God"

 

	Galatians:
"For freedom, Christ has set us free!" What joy is ours to claim!	5:1
No more enslaved, humanity Finds life in Jesus' name.	4:31
We try, Lord, to be justified Through all the works we do.	2:17
Yet you adopt us, saying, "Child, It's Christ who makes you new."	4:4-7
We're clothed in Christ and we belong; Now no one waits outside. In him we find our common song; Old ways no more divide.	3:27-28
"It is no longer I who live, But Christ who lives in me."	2:20
He died for us, new life to give-- And new identity.	2:18-21
Now, Spirit-filled, may we be led From ways that would destroy.	5:19
May we your people turn instead To lives of love and joy. May we find peace that makes us whole And patience everywhere. God, give us kindness, self-control, And hearts and hands that share.	5:22-23
Tune: Gesangbuch der Herzogl, Wirtembergischen, Katholischen Hofkapelle, 1784; alt. 1868 Text: Copyright © 2000 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved. 305 South Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071. Telephone: (856)-589-8444  Email: Bruce.Gillette@ecunet.org   Bruce Gillette writes: Please drop us an email note to our personal user box for permission to use the hymn since Carolyn does like to know who are using her hymns. Thank you. You are welcome to share the hymn(s) with neighboring pastors or other online friends, but please include the copyright and contact information. A complete list of Carolyn's hymns, including links to a dozen of the hymn texts posted online, go to http://www.firstpresby.org/hymnlist.htm 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).

 

And just added: Bigger Barns

A new hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette reflects on the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:13-21, holding our "need for our money, gadgets, more" up against the needs for justice and a decent life. [8-2-01]

 

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