Take and Receive

Take and Receive

Based on St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercise #234

Text: John A. Dalles, June 29, 2011

Suggested familiar tune: ADELAIDE

Take and receive all my liberty;

Be all in all, O Master, to me!

Take who I am, take what I possess,

To use and honor, treasure and bless.

Take and receive all my memory—

What I recall, who I used to be.

Both joy and grief accept and renew,

So I may live according to you.

Take and receive all I understand

Insight and knowledge come from your hand—

All of my errors come and replace:

Give me your love and grant me your grace,

Take and receive my entire will

Help me, dear Lord, your plan to fulfill.

Riches from you are ample and more:

Thank you. O Lord! I need nothing more.

Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles

Hymn Commission Information

Hymn Commission Information

I am accepting commissions for new hymn texts or anthem lyrics on a particular theme, or for a special occasion.

Selected Completed Commissions 

"O Celebrate God's Love!" Commissioned for the ecumenical committee for the celebration of the city of Lancaster PA, 250th anniversary.

"Faith is Our Heritage!" Peachtree PC Atlanta; 75th anniversary hymn

"Welcome God With Joyful Singing" Commissioned by Gwendolyn Jensen, the President of Wilson college in memory of Debra Bowen.

“You Know the Way” AKA “O Troubled Heart” written for Glenn Rudolph as the text for his work commissioned by David Billings at Parkwood Presbyterian Church.

"We Look Outward, God of Blessings!" Commissioned by Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in honor of the Rev. Dr. Carnegie Samuel Calian, President of the Seminary, on the occasion of his retirement.

"Draw Near in Peace" Music by Glenn Rudolph; a commission for Worthington (OH) Presbyterian Church.

“God May Your Presence Here” in honor of Don Wilkins on the occasion of his retirement as organist and choral director at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh.

“O Praise the Lord! O Praise the Lord!” with original tune by Bill Rhoads; commissioned by Highland Presbyterian Church in Lancaster PA for their anniversary.

“God Calls the Church to Endless Song” a hymn in honor of the ministry of music of Sharon Miller

“We Sing of Hampton” a hymn for the 2005 bicentennial of Hampton Presbyterian Church in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania.

Why Commission a Hymn?

• To celebrate an important anniversary or other significant event in the life of a congregation

• To honor or remember the contributions of particular individuals

• To mark a significant point in the faith journey

• To provide a new text for a treasured familiar tune

• To give voice to concerns not yet addressed within available hymns

For more information, please contact me.

Commissioned hymn text fees vary, depending on length.

I retain the copyright but give permission to the commissioning church in perpetuity. 

CHRIST’S LOVE IS OURS

Text: John A. Dalles, February 25, 2011

Possible Tune: HOLY COMMUNION (by Johann Haydn, 1737-1806)

Meter: LMD

Christ’s love is ours, to receive with thanksgiving!

Jesus brings love that shall not end—

Love that sustains our daily living.

Christ greets us as our dearest friend!

He knows us well, He knows our need;

All we must do, is follow His lead.

Christ’s love is ours, to receive with thanksgiving!

Jesus brings love that shall not end.

Christ’s gifts are ours, Christ has given them to us;

He loves us so, His gifts are rare!

Christ blesses us, so to bless others through us;

Each gift is ours; yet, ours to share.

Neighbors in need, uphold and uplift,

So may we honor Giver and gift.

Christ’s gifts are ours, Christ has given them to us;

He loves us so, His gifts are rare!

To Christ I offer myself while I’m singing:

My word, my way, my liberty.

Take and receive, Lord, these gifts I am bringing:

My work, my will, my memory.

All that I have, and call my own:

It is all yours, yes, yours alone!

Take and receive every gift I am bringing:

Your love and grace, enough for me!

In Christ we live, by His timing and measure,

In every hour of the day.

Morning and night, both at work and at leisure,

We trust His word, we know His way.

Moment by moment, Christ nurtures and guides,

As He makes holy each of our lives.

In Christ we live, by His timing and measure,

In every hour of the day.

Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles