Gracious God, Your people are before You,

Gracious God, Your people are before You
Isaiah 44:1-5

Text: John A. Dalles
Tune: BLOTT EN DAG
Meter: 10.9.10.9.D.


Gracious God, Your people are before You,
In the brightness of this splendid day.
We are here, to worship and adore You;
We are here to give ourselves away!
Unto You, our lives are now a present,
Set apart to do as You decide;
Gracious God, make us an off’ring pleasant,
Be our Master and Your servants, guide!

Pour afresh on us Your living water,
Dry and thirsty, we await your grace;
Come refresh Your waiting sons and daughters:
Gracious God, renew us in this place!
May we hear, as all who heard before us,
Your clear words of comfort and command;
May we sing, our voices joined in chorus,
Of the wondrous blessings from Your hand!

Gracious God, descend in light and power,
As our praise and prayers to You ascend!
Bless us now, bless us every hour,
Bless our days, in You, that have no end!
May Your angels bear Your holy vision,
Unto us, as once in Jacob’s dream!
May we grow and thrive as You determine,
Fair as willows by the flowing stream!

Gracious God, Your people serve beside You,
With what high and humble gifts we may;
As we give them, Lord, may we provide You,
All You wish and want from us, today!
Gracious God, whose vast, eternal power,
Shown in Christ has come to make us free,
Write Your name upon us in this hour,
Write Your name on us, eternally!



Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles

All You Who are Thirsty Now Come to the Waters!

All You Who are Thirsty Now Come to the Waters!
Isaiah 55:1-7

Text: John A. Dalles
Tune: ST. CLEMENT
Meter: 9.8.9.8.

All you who are thirsty now come to the waters.
For this is yours, come buy and eat.
Come buy milk and wine - O come sons, O come daughters.

As Christ your salvation with praises you greet.

Why would you spend money for that which is useless?
You could be fed by wholesome bread.
Why would you waste labor on that which is worthless?
You could be working for Jesus instead.

So carefully listen to hear the Lord speaking.
In God’s good grace may you delight.
The blessings abundant all people are seeking,
Are present right here, in your reach, in your sight!

Be downhearted, never, God’s promise forever
Is yours, with love that is sure and true;
God’s witness, you shall be, in Christs service ever,
Shall cause all the nations to flock to you!

O seek the Lord while He may be found,
And call upon Him when He is near,
Return to the Lord, for blessings abound,
God’s mercy, God’s pardon, are offered here!



Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles

ST CLEMENT is a lovely tune that allows for some variation on where one puts the syllables, so the lines in this hymn text are not rigidly identical from one stanza to the next.  Even so, with a little bit of anticipation and practice, this hymn flows along nicely as it should.  Give it a try!

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
The Beatitudes - Matthew 5:1-12

Text: John A. Dalles
Tune: RUSTINGTON
Meter: 8787D

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For the realm of God is theirs!
They, God’s kingdom shall inherit;
All in Christ are named His heirs!
Blessed are the ones in mourning,
They, God’s comfort shall be given;
Their dark night shall turn to dawning,
And the golden joys of heaven!

Blessed are the meek, the lowly,
They are heirs to all the earth;
They shall rule creation’s glory,
Lead all lands with lasting worth!
Blessed are the ones who hunger,
And who thirst for righteousness,
God shall fill them with provender,
Evermore their needs address!

Blessed are the kind and gentle,
God’s great mercy they shall know;
As their mercy was their mantle,
So it shall be made their throne!
Blessed are the single-minded,
Those sincere and pure in heart,
For they shall see God Almighty,
Nevermore from God to part!

Blessed are the peace-inspired,
Ones who work for God’s shalom,
For they shall be called God’s children,
And with God shall make their home!
Blessed are the ones mistreated,
For the sake of righteousness,
Their great joy shall be completed,
in God’s kingdom, ever blessed!

Blest are you when they revile you,
Slander you, harass, maltreat.
Yet, be hopeful all the while, you,
For God’s recompense await!.
So rejoice, for great in heaven,
Is your full and fine reward,
Then rejoice! For you are given,
Joy eternal from the Lord!

Copyright © 2010, John A. Dalles

O May We Live in Jesus!
Philippians 2: 5-11; 2 Timothy 2:11-13

Text: John A. Dalles
Tune: MORN OF GLADNESS
Meter: 7676D with Refrain

O may we live in Jesus, Who came, our lives to save,
Who holy, high and righteous, Became a lowly slave.
And being human, fully, Was humbled even more,
And murdered for our folly, salvation to restore!
Refrain:
Praise to God Almighty, And praise to Christ the Son!
Sing praise unto the Spirit, To God the three in one!

The Lord was self-effacing. God gave Him all acclaim.
And with the utmost blessing, Bestowed the sacred name!
So at the name of Jesus, Creation bends and bows,
And every tongue proclaims Him, The Christ all-glorious, now!
Refrain:
Praise to God Almighty, And praise to Christ the Son!
Sing praise unto the Spirit, To God the three in one!

If we have died with Jesus, We too shall live with Him!
If we endure with Jesus, We too with Him shall reign!
If we deny our Master, Will He ourselves deny?
Yet, we who may be faithless, On Christ we can rely!
Refrain:
Praise to God Almighty, And praise to Christ the Son!
Sing praise unto the Spirit, To God the three in one!


Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles

Dear Jesus, Come and Visit Us

Dear Jesus, Come and Visit Us
Mark 10:46-52

Text: John A. Dalles
Tune: AMBERLEY
Meter: 8787D


Dear Jesus, come and visit us,
Your gathered people sing.
We turn to You in humble trust,
For healing You shall bring.
Like Bartimeaus by the road,
Come visit us, Dear Lord.
We shout and cry to You aloud.
We wait Your healing word.

Dear Jesus, may no other voice,
Distract You from Your way.
May our renewal be the choice
You make for us this day.
We have been blinded by our fears,
Discouraged, we have been.
Come, bring Your joy to dry our tears,
so healing may begin.

O Son of David, Lord of Life,
Have mercy on us here.
Restore our lives, uncloud our eyes,
And bring Your kingdom near.
May every separating wall,
That keeps the outcast far,
By Your command collapse and fall,
To show You as You are.

Dear Lord, may we take on Your yoke,
And spring to life new-born.
So we may shed the threadbare cloaks,
Our worried lives have worn.
Dear Teacher, may we hear You say,
Our faith has made us well.
So we may follow on Your way,
Your love and grace to tell.


Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles

Celebrate Hope! Come Gather Near!
Isaiah 61:1-2; Luke 4:18-19

Text: John A. Dalles
Suggested Familiar Tune: JERUSALEM
Meter: LMD

Celebrate hope! Come, gather near!
The Spirit of the Lord is here!
For Christ has come, good news to preach:
Good news for all! Good news for each!
Imprisoned ones, shall freedom find!
Captives set free! Sight for the blind!
As we enact God’s gracious Word,
May peace and justice be restored!

Celebrate hope! Come, gather near!
The Spirit of the Lord is here!
With Christ our Friend, whom we adore,
We shall befriend and bless the poor!
Bind up the wounds of brokenness!
Bring liberty to the oppressed!
As we enact God’s gracious Word,
May love and mercy be restored!

Celebrate hope! Come, gather near!
The Spirit of the Lord is here!
The work at hand, is heaven-sent;
Our mission is empowerment!
In one great hour, may we share,
An offering of lasting care!
As we enact God’s gracious Word,
May hope and freedom be restored!

Celebrate hope! Come, gather near!
The Spirit of the Lord is here!
By the return of dignity,
May we build up community
With a concern for humankind
Till we are one, as God designed.
Make this the right year of the Lord,
When we enact God’s gracious Word!

Copyright ©  2024, John A. Dalles

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord Together!
Psalm 146

Text: John A. Dalles
Tune: WINGATE
Meter: 9.8.8.7.D.

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord together!
Celebrate with a hopeful song!
Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, forever!
All our praises to God belong!
Earthly powers are misleading,
But God’s strength is forever sure!
Come and follow where Christ is leading,
By the Spirit, serve and adore!

Praise the Lord! Happy are the ones whose
Help is found in the God of grace;
God who made the earth and heaven,
God who crafted time and space!
God who shaped the surging oceans,
God who filled them with teaming things!
God who keeps faith with us, forever;
God, of You, all creation sings!

Praise the Lord, who achieves pure justice
For all people long oppressed;
God, in whom our unbounded trust is,
May inequities be redressed!
God who gives food to the hungry,
God who sets the prisoners free,
God who gives the blind new vision,
Help us champion dignity!

Praise the Lord, who lifts up the lowly!
Praise the Lord; all God’s mercies, bless!
Till in God all our work is holy,
Work of love and righteousness!
God who greets the wand’ ring stranger,
God who tends mournful ones bereaved,
God who keeps orphans from grave danger,
Spread Your grace and the earth relieve!


Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles

God Bless the Ones Who Bring Us Good

God Bless the Ones Who Bring Us Good
In Celebration of Music Ministries

Text: John A. Dalles
Tune: GOSHEN
Meter: CMD

God bless the ones who bring us good,
In songs that shall endure;
Whose words and music testify,
To Your grace ever-sure!
Who build the witness of Your saints,
With gifted hands and hearts,
Directing us to sing Your praise,
And all Your love imparts!



They urge Your children on, to sing,
In every mode and mood,
When troubled they shall cry to You,
And cheer when times are good.
You forge their witness from the blend,
Of harmony and chord;
To stir the sagging soul to soar,
Upon Your wind-bourn Word!



In God’s delightful handiwork
God’s purpose is made known!
O praise the Lord, all you with voice,
For goodness freely shown!
With heartfelt song, rejoice in Christ
Whose works shall satisfy;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
And in God’s grace rely!




Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles

Rejoice in Christ! Always Rejoice!
Philippians 4:4-8

Text: John A. Dalles, March 21, 2008
Tune: MIDSOMER NORTON
Meter: CMD

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Rejoice in Christ! Always, rejoice!
Again I say Rejoice!
Be gentle unto one and all,
With heart and mind and voice!
The Lord is near, so have no fear,
Forgo anxiety,
Rejoice in Christ! Always, rejoice!
His faithful witness, be!

In everything, by reverent prayer,
With trusting thankfulness,
Convey requests to God and share,
Then, in assurance, rest.
The peace of God will surely come
To guard your hearts and minds
God’s reign shall come God’s will, be done,
For you, in Jesus Christ!

Whatever things are noble, true,
Whatever things are right,
Whatever things are lovely, pure,
Keep foremost in your sight!
If anything is excellent,
Or worthy of your praise,
Think on these things, and do these things,
In this and all your days!


Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles

LOVE HAS COME IN CHRIST AND CLAIMED US

Love Has Come In Christ, and Claimed Us
A Hymn for Baptism
I John 3:1

Text: John A. Dalles, 1992
Suggested tune: ST. JOHN'S HIGHLANDS
L.M.


Love has come in Christ, and claimed us,
God has welcomed us and named us!
See what love we have been given;
That we should be called God's children!


By the water flowing o'er us,
Christ receives us and restores us!
See what love we have been given;
That we should be called God's children!


...(more)...


May God's blessing, now and ever,
Fill our hearts for each endeavor!
See what love we have been given;
That we should be called God's children!



This hymn is in "Worship Together" (the Mennonite Brethren hymnal of 1995)


This is posted as a "sample". If you wish to sing the hymn in worship permission must be sought from the copyright holder:



Copyright © 1995, John A. Dalles

Remember to read the Bible

Originally this page held a hymn text based on a Statement of Faith my church member Mackenzie Efta. 

I removed it because it was published in a book, a collection of 53 of my hymn texts called "We Turn to God" that had its debut at The Hymn Society's 2010 Annual Conference.

I want to support the publisher by no longer having the set of texts that will be in the book appearing in this blog. Otherwise it would have been here still.

I kept her dad, Greg's, comment that you can read below, as a special reminder of her part in the hymn's inspiration.  Greg was a wonderful church member who has since entered the Church Triumphant, and is greatly missed.