You help make Hymnary.org possible. More than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources and encouragement on Hymnary.org in 2025, including you. Every visit affirms the global impact of this ministry.

If Hymnary has been meaningful to you this year, would you take a moment today to help sustain it? A gift of any size—paired with a note of encouragement if you wish—directly supports the server costs, research work and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org
Calvin University
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for your partnership, and may the hope of Advent fill your heart.

Search Results

Text Identifier:"^the_people_came_from_everywhere$"

Planning worship? Check out our sister site, ZeteoSearch.org, for 20+ additional resources related to your search.

Texts

text icon
Text authorities

The People Came from Everywhere

Author: Mary Nelson Keithahn Appears in 2 hymnals Scripture: Mark 10:16 Text Sources: Come Away With Me (Abingdon, 1998)

Tunes

tune icon
Tune authorities

CHILD'S PLAY

Meter: 8.6.8.6 D Appears in 1 hymnal Composer and/or Arranger: John D. Horman Tune Key: C Major Used With Text: The People Came from Everywhere

Instances

instance icon
Published text-tune combinations (hymns) from specific hymnals
Text

The People Came from Everywhere

Author: Mary Nelson Keithahn Hymnal: Come Away with Me #7 (1998) Meter: 8.6.8.6 D Lyrics: The people came from everywhere to hear the Teacher's news. The blind, the lame, the poor were there, encouraged by his views. But those who brought the children near were quickly sent away: “The Teacher's far too busy now. Don't bother him today. When Jesus saw the children turn, their faces long and glum, he told his friends, "When will you learn that little ones must come?" He chided them indignantly, "God's love can't be denied! Let all the children come to me and sit here at my side." "The holy realm of God belongs to children such as these, who trust that God will right all wrongs, forgive, and bring us peace. If you would also now receive the love that never ends, come as a trusting child, believe in all that God intends." As once you took your hands and blessed the children on their way, now bless us, Jesus, in our quest to find your love, we pray. We long to feel your warm embrace, and hear your kindly word, that in the presence of your grace our faith might be assured. Topics: Jesus and Children; Children Faith model for adults Languages: English Tune Title: CHILD'S PLAY

The People Came from Everywhere

Author: Mary Nelson Keithahn Hymnal: Scripture Song Database #3436 (2008) Scripture: Mark 10:16 Languages: English

People

person icon
Authors, composers, editors, etc.

Mary Nelson Keithahn

b. 1934 Author of "The People Came from Everywhere" in Come Away with Me Mary Nelson Keithahn, a retired United Church of Christ ordained pastor and church educator, has been a curriculum writer-editor, journalist, and lyricist for musical dramas and anthems. She still works out of her home in Rapid City, South Dakota, as a free-lance writer. In 2016 she published Elfie: Adventures on the Midwest Frontier, a chapter book for children, and Embracing the Light: Reflectioins on God’s Holy Word, a collection of meditations for individual or small group use. Augsburg Fortress also published Sing the Stories of God’s NEW People, the third in a trilogy of Bible story-based collections of songs for young children, written with her longtime colleague, John D. Horman. The two have written over a hundred hymns together, some of which are included in these hymnals and supplements: Community of Christ Sings, God’s Mission, God’s Song, Hymns of Heritage and Hope, Lift Up Your Hearts, Sing Justice! Do Justice, Sing the Faith, Singing Our Savior’s Story, Singing the New Testament, The Faith We Sing, Upper Room Worshipbook, Voices Found, Voices United, and Worship and Song. They have also published four collections of their hymns: Come Away with Me and Time Now to Gather (Abingdon, 1998), The Song Lingers On (Zimbel, 2003), and Faith That Lets Us Sing (Wayne Leupold Editions, 2017). Mary is a Life Member and former board member of Choristers Guild and a Life Member of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada. She is also a member of ASCAP. In 2006 she received a Distinguished Achievement Award from her alma mater, Carleton College in Northfield, MN, in recognition of her work in composing text for religious music. Mary was married to the Rev. Richard K. Keithahn, a U.C.C. pastor, and widowed in 1986. She has three children, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. --mnk

John D. Horman

b. 1946 Composer of "CHILD'S PLAY" in Come Away with Me
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.