Author: Catherine Cameron, b. 1927 Hymnal: RitualSong #819 (1996) Meter: 8.7.8.7 D Topics: Challenge of Gospel Lyrics: 1 God, who stretched the spangled heavens
Infinite in time and place,
Flung the suns in burning radiance
Through the silent fields of space;
We, your children, in your likeness,
Share inventive pow'rs with you;
Great Creator, still creating,
Show us what we yet may do.
2 Proudly rise our modern cities,
Stately buildings, row on row;
Yet their windows, blank, unfeeling,
Stare on canyoned streets below,
Where the lonely drift unnoticed
In the city's ebb and flow,
Lost to purpose and to meaning,
Scarcely caring where they go.
3 We have ventured worlds undreamed of
Since the childhood of our race;
Known the ecstasy of winging
Through untraveled realms of space;
Probed the secrets of the atom,
Yielding unimagined pow'r,
Facing us with life's destruction
Or our most triumphant hour.
4 As each far horizon beckons,
May it challenge us anew,
Children of creative purpose,
Serving others, honoring you.
May our dreams prove rich with promise,
Each endeavor, well begun:
Great Creator, give us guidance
Till our goals and yours are one. Scripture: Genesis 1 Languages: English Tune Title: HOLY MANNA
God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens