The Worshipbook ‎#638

638. When Stephen, Full of Power and Grace

1 When Stephen, full of power and grace,
Went forth throughout the land,
He bore no shield before his face,
No weapon in his hand;
But only in his heart a flame
And on his lips a sword
Wherewith he smote and overcame
The foemen of the Lord.

2 When Stephen preached against the laws
And by those laws was tried,
He had no friend to plead his cause,
No spokesman at his side;
But only in his heart a flame
And in his eyes a light
Wherewith God's daybreak to proclaim
And rend the veils of night.

3 When Stephen, young and doomed to die,
Fell crushed beneath the stones,
He had no curse nor vengeful cry
For those who broke his bones;
But only in his heart a flame
And on his lips a prayer
That God, in sweet forgiveness' name,
Should understand and spare.

4 Let me, O Lord, your cause defend,
A knight without a sword;
No shield I ask, no faithful friend,
No vengeance, no reward;
But only in my heart a flame
And in my soul a dream,
So that the stones of earthly shame
A jeweled crown may seem.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: When Stephen, full of power and grace
• Title: When Stephen, Full of Power and Grace
• Author: Jan Struther (1931, alt. 1972)
• Meter: C.M.D.
• Publication Date: 1972
• Scripture:
  Acts 6-7
• Topic: Acts of the Church: Installation; Other Observances: Christian Education; Other Observances: Mission; Other Observances: Reformation Day; Other Observances: Stewardship
• Copyright: Words altered from Songs of Praise, Enlarged Edition; used by permission of Oxford University Press.
• Notes: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: SALVATION
• Harmonizer: Kenneth Munson (1964)
• Meter: C.M.D.
• Key: d minor
• Source: Kentucky Harmony, ca. 1815
• Copyright: Music copyright © 1964 by Unitarian Universalist Association; reprinted by permission of Beacon Press.