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One Holy Night in Bethlehem

Author: Mary Nelson Keithahn Meter: 8.6.8.6 with refrain Appears in 3 hymnals Refrain First Line: Sing glory, glory, gloria! Lyrics: One holy night in Bethlehemthe air was filled with song.Angelic voices sang on highand shepherds piped along:Sing glory, glory, gloria!God's love is given birth!Be not afraid, Sing gloria,and peace to all the earth!Their music echoed through the towninto the stable stall,where Mary sang a lullabyand rocked her baby small:Sing glory, glory, gloria!God's love is given birth!Be not afraid! Sing gloria,and peace to all the earth!As Joseph touched the lamb's soft wool,and fed the donkey hay,he whistled his own happy tuneand thanked God for this day:Sing glory, glory, gloria!God's love is given birth!Be not afraid! Sing gloria,and peace to all the earth!Be still, and you will hear tonightthese melodies of old.Then join your voice in harmonyuntil the tale is told:Sing glory, glory, gloria!God's love is given birth!Be not afraid! Sing gloria,and peace to all the earth! Topics: Christmas Nativity from Luke; Women in the Bible Mary Scripture: Luke 2:1-20 Used With Tune: WHISTLER'S TUNE Text Sources: Time Now to Gather

Gifts for Sharing

Author: Mary Nelson Keithahn Meter: 8.6.8.6 D Appears in 1 hymnal First Line: The kind heart of a woman failed Lyrics: The kind heart of a woman failedand men were sent to plead,"Dear Peter, come to Joppa now.for Dorcas is in need.Restore her to the charitiesthat we have come to know.She has a gift for sewing thathas helped the church to grow."A clever merchant, Lydia,in ancient Philippi,grew wealthy selling purple goods,as Paul did testify,"This woman shares her fortune tosupport us where we go.She has a gift for business thathas helped the church to grow."Priscilla and Aquila workedwith Paul at making tents,while teaching, preaching God in Christto Corinth residents.Apollos said, "What I have learnedhas set my faith aglow.They have a gift for teaching thathas helped the church to grow."No matter where we work or liveor worship in this land,you grace us with your presence, God,and gift us by your handwith talents, skills, abilitiesmore useful than we know.We all have gifts for sharing thatcan help the church to grow. Topics: Women in the Bible Dorcas; Women in the Bible Lydia; Women in the Bible Priscilla Scripture: Acts 9:36-42 Used With Tune: GRACIOUS GIFTS Text Sources: Time Now to Gather

One Was Old, Another Barren

Author: Mary Nelson Keithahn Meter: 8.7.8.7 D Appears in 1 hymnal Lyrics: One was old, another barren,and a third was young and fair,when God promised wondrous blessingsfor the sons they were to bear.Though incredible each promise,yet they trusted and believed,guarding closely in their hearts thevisions that they had received.Sarah must have told her baby,as she calmed his anxious cry,"God has promised you more childrenthan the stars up in the sky!Little Isaac, kings and nationswill descend from you one day,destined to inherit blessingsif they follow in God's way."And Elizabeth, once barren,must have whispered to her son,"Someday, John, you'll be God's heraldto announce the Promised One!Someday you will speak with couragewords from God for all to hear,calling people to repentance,telling them the Christ is near."Mary must have echoed prophetsin her cradle lullabies,"Jesus, you will be our Savior,Christ the Lord, Love's great surprise!Someday I may watch you suffer,and your pain may pierce my soul, but I trust that God will heal mybroken heart and make it whole."God, we thank you for these mothersand the faith they had to share.May we also trust your promisefor the children in our care,that through us the Spiritâ€™s blessingsmay upon them come to fall,giving them the strength and courageto be faithful to your call. Topics: Faith in God's promises; Jesus Mary's son; Women in the Bible Sarah; Women in the Bible Mary; Women in the Bible Elizabeth Scripture: Genesis 22:15-16 Used With Tune: GOD'S PROMISES Text Sources: Time Now to Gather

A Long-Lost Lamb

Author: Mary Nelson Keithahn Meter: 8.6.8.6 with refrain Appears in 2 hymnals First Line: A long-lost lamb is in the fold Refrain First Line: Good news! It's time to celebrate Lyrics: A long-lost lamb is in the fold,a woman's coin retrieved,a wayward son is home again,most lovingly received.Good news! It's time to celebratewith friends who gather round.So God rejoices, Jesus said,whene'er the lost is found!The little man who climbed a treehas found a friend at last.A woman with her cup of tearshas put behind her past.Good news! It's time to celebratewith friends who gather round.So God rejoices, Jesus said,whene'er the lost is found!The fisherman who turned awayreceives another chance.A Pharisee has seen the lightand mourns his arrogance.Good news! It's time to celebratewith friends who gather round.So God rejoices, Jesus said,whene'er the lost is found!Let everyone who suffers nowfrom guilt and deep despair,return unto the house of God,for love awaits you there.Good news! It's time to celebratewith friends who gather round.So God rejoices, Jesus said,whene'er the lost is found! Topics: Jesus Parables of the Lost; Jesus Disciples; Reconciliation Assurance of Pardon Scripture: Luke 7:36-50 Used With Tune: PARABLES Text Sources: Time Now to Gather

The Wedding Guests Were Waiting

Author: Mary Nelson Keithahn Meter: 7.6.7.6 D Appears in 2 hymnals Lyrics: The wedding guests were waitingbut all the wine was gone,so Mary went to Jesus,"Please help our friends, my son."Then Jesus said, "Bring water."He turned it into wine,and thus revealed his power.It was the first great sign.The father was a Gentile,a Roman soldier too,an enemy and strangerto any faithful Jew,but still he begged of Jesus,"Come heal my dying boy.""Believe in me, " said Jesus."He lives to bring you joy."When everyone was hungryand no one seemed to care,a boy came forward, smiling,"I have this food to share."He gave his bread to Jesus,his fish, though they were small.Then Jesus blessed his offering,and lo, it fed them all!A mother shows compassion,a father trusts God's way,a child finds joy in sharing--such are the signs todaythat Christ still lives among usand through love's faithful deeds,works miracles and wondersto meet our deepest needs. Topics: Jesus Healing; Jesus Miracles; Women in the Bible Mary Scripture: John 4:46-54 Used With Tune: SIGNS TODAY Text Sources: Time Now to Gather

The Church Is Our Safe Haven

Author: Mary Nelson Keithahn Meter: 7.6.7.6 D Appears in 1 hymnal First Line: The church is our safe haven, Lyrics: The church is our safe haven,a refuge in the storm,where we can come when troubleshave left our hearts forlornand find a gracious welcome,compassion, love, and care,among your people gatheredfor story, song, and prayer.Since they, too, have known wintersof doubt, despair, and fear,they warm us with their friendshipand fill us with good cheer,their presence like a candlethat gives off heat and lightto save a stranded travelerlost on a snowy night.God, in their understanding,we feel your kind embrace,and sense the joy and wonderof your transforming grace,a grace that makes us holy,a people set apartto travel on love's highwaywith mind and strength and heart.Protected by this mantleof love that we have known,we face life's new adventuresno longer lost or lone.Though storms of life may threaten,and cold winds chill our soul,we journey on with courage,our spirits now made whole.God of the fiery pillar.and Pentecostâ€™s bright flame,the love of Christ still glowingin those who bear his name,forge us as loyal servants,his faithful friends always.Fill us with glad thanksgivingand everlasting praise. Scripture: Psalm 46:1 Used With Tune: SAFE HAVEN Text Sources: Time Now to Gather

A Mother Lined a Basket

Author: Mary Nelson Keithahn Meter: 7.6.7.6 D Appears in 4 hymnals Lyrics: A mother lined a basket to keep her baby dry,then rocked him on a river,lest he awake and cry.She let a princess name himher son that he might live.God's people had a leader.She had such hope to give.A mother sewed a jacket,lined in the softest wool,then dressed her little boy-child,her cup of blessing full.She brought him to the templewhere he would serve and live.God's people had a prophet.She had such faith to give. A mother laid her baby in manger lined with straw;then, in the shepherds' story,his call from God foresaw.She nurtured him and taught himthe way that he must live. God's people had a savior.She had such love to give.Like Jochebed and Hannah,and Mary too, we knowthe hardest part of lovingis learning to let go,so when we send our childrenout in the world to live,grant us such hope and faith, God,and love enough to give. Topics: Jesus Mary's son; Sacrifice; Women in the Bible Jochebed; Women in the Bible Hannah; Women in the Bible Mary Scripture: Exodus 2:1-10 Used With Tune: WEST MAIN Text Sources: Time Now to Gather

We Sang Our Glad Hosannas

Author: Mary Nelson Keithahn Meter: 7.6.7.6 D Appears in 3 hymnals Lyrics: We sang our glad Hosannas,and waved our branches high,but some were silent, frowning,as Jesus rode on by.They sought a royal Saviorbut did not understanda king could rule by loving,instead of by command.We heard an angry Jesusin Temple courts declare,"Be gone, you moneychangers!This is a house of prayer."Though many came for healingand stayed to hear his word,still others, hostile, plottedand thus his death assured.We served him at the tablewith wine, unleavened bread."The one who will betray menow eats with me," he said.His friends would not believe him,but one by one that night,as soldiers came to take him,they scurried out of sight.We saw a suffering Jesusalone, without a friend,and heard the voices shoutingabuse until the end.We wept as we stood watchingLove's light grow dim and die,and cried, "Why did this happen?God, tell us, tell us why!"We buried him, not knowingthat on the third day morn.a risen Christ would greet usand hope would be reborn.Though evil had extinguishedthe life that burned so bright,the love of God would triumphlike dawn that ends the night. Topics: Holy Week Palm/Pssion Sunday; Jesus Holy Week events Scripture: Matthew 21:1-17 Used With Tune: HOLY WEEK Text Sources: Time Now to Gather

Time Now to Gather

Author: Mary Nelson Keithahn Meter: 5.4.5.4 D Appears in 3 hymnals Lyrics: Time now to gather,Time now to feelChrist's holy presencegracing this meal.Grain from the harvestfruit of the vine;simple the supper,sacred the sign.Time to rememberChrist who was sent.Time to say thank youfor all he meant.Come to this table.Come, without fear.God will forgive you,welcome you here.All who are hungry,come, and be fed.Serve one anotherthis cup and bread.All who are troubled,hurting, or sad,come, and find healing.Come, and be glad! Scripture: Luke 22:19-20 Used With Tune: WELCOME SONG Text Sources: Time Now to Gather

A Father Came to Jesus

Author: Mary Nelson Keithahn Meter: 7.6.7.6 D Appears in 1 hymnal Lyrics: A father came to Jesuswith only one request."My daughter needs your help now.They say that you are blest.Come, Jesus, heal my daughter.She lies so close to death.Come, lay your hands upon herwhile she has life and breath."Before they reached the daughter,a man came, bringing word:"Why bother Jesus now, sir?Your daughter died, we've heard."The wails of weeping womengrew loud as they drew near,but Jesus told the father,"Believe and do not fear."When Jesus saw the mourners,he said, "Why do you weep?She is not dead; believe me,the child is but asleep!"The mourners laughed, but Jesusstill took his friends inside.The faithful parents followedto see what would betide.They watched the girl with wonderas Jesus took her hand.He said, "Dear child, get up now,"and gently helped her stand.Then Jesus warned the father,"Tell no one that you meet;"and asked the grateful motherto bring her food to eat.Dear God, when we are temptedto doubt Love's mighty power,give us the faith of Jairus in every day and hour,that, trusting in your promiseof everlasting care,we all may lay before youour deepest needs in prayer. Topics: Faith in healing power of Christ; Jesus Healing; Women in the Bible Daughter of Jairus Scripture: Mark 5:21-43 Used With Tune: LOVING FATHER Text Sources: Time Now to Gather