Be present, God of love, draw near
among your people gathered here
to watch and witness what we say,
the promises we make today.
As long ago you gave a sign
in water Jesus turned to wine,
reveal your loving power now
and bless us in our holy vow.
In times of sickness and good health,
in poverty, abundant wealth,
in joys and sorrows we may know,
in springtime joy and autumn glow,
we pledge our loyalty and love
and pray your Spirit, like a dove,
may fall upon us as we stand
before you now, joined hand in hand.
God, when we find in later life,
that conflicts lead us into strife,
may we be honest, patient, kind
in sharing what is on our mind;
and when we differ, even fight,
one saying "wrong," the other "right,"
give us the wit to recognize
that love may need to compromise.
Grant us your eyes of love to see
the person each was meant to be
reflected in the other's face:
a child of God, a gift of grace,
a person worthy of respect,
a life to cherish and protect,
a steadfast, loyal, trusted friend,
beloved now and to life's end.
Source: The Song Lingers On: new hymns for our journey of faith #14
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 >
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