The Church Is Our Safe Haven

The church is our safe haven,

Author: Mary Nelson Keithahn (1997)
Tune: SAFE HAVEN
Published in 1 hymnal

Representative Text

The church is our safe haven,
a refuge in the storm,
where we can come when troubles
have left our hearts forlorn
and find a gracious welcome,
compassion, love, and care,
among your people gathered
for story, song, and prayer.

Since they, too, have known winters
of doubt, despair, and fear,
they warm us with their friendship
and fill us with good cheer,
their presence like a candle
that gives off heat and light
to save a stranded traveler
lost on a snowy night.

God, in their understanding,
we feel your kind embrace,
and sense the joy and wonder
of your transforming grace,
a grace that makes us holy,
a people set apart
to travel on love's highway
with mind and strength and heart.

Protected by this mantle
of love that we have known,
we face life's new adventures
no 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 Pentecost's bright flame,
the love of Christ still glowing
in those who bear his name,
forge us as loyal servants,
his faithful friends always.
Fill us with glad thanksgiving
and everlasting praise.

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: The church is our safe haven,
Title: The Church Is Our Safe Haven
Author: Mary Nelson Keithahn (1997)
Meter: 7.6.7.6 D
Source: Time Now to Gather
Language: English
Notes: Alternate tune: AURELIA

Instances

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Text

Time Now to Gather #15

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