Song of Two Widows

Representative Text

A widow of Zarephath town
discovered her cupboard was bare.
Some meal, and a few drops of oil
were all that was left for her there."
Elijah the prophet appeared,
and God said, "Please see that he's fed."
She used up the meal and the oil
to bake him a fine loaf of bread.

A poor widow came to the mount
where Jesus was teaching that day.
He watched as she offered her gift,
and went in the Temple to pray.
Her offering was two copper coins.
She had no more money to give.
Said Jesus, "Her gift was the best.
She gave all that she had to live."

Two widows from days long ago,
forgotten by name, but not deed,
both teach us how we should respond
whenever God shows us a need.
In plenty we're all quick to give,
but slower when cupboards are bare.
God, move us to share in your work
to show by our gifts that we care.

Author: Mary Nelson Keithahn

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 togethe… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: A widow of Zarephath town
Title: Song of Two Widows
Author: Mary Nelson Keithahn (1997)
Meter: 8.8.8.8 D
Source: Time Now to Gather
Language: English
Notes: Abingdon published an anthem setting, #07490-8.

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Time Now to Gather #8

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