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Wednesday, June 6, 2012

When We Waken in the Morning

When We Waken in the Morning
A Retirement Hymn for The Rev. Dr. Paige M. McRight

Text: John A. Dalles, 2012; Suggested Familiar Tune: KELVINGROVE

When we waken in the morning,
Jesus meets us there!
When we sing, the Lord adoring,
Jesus meets us there!
When we hear God’s sacred Word,
When we live all we have heard—
When we waken in the morning,
Jesus meets us there!

When throughout the day we gather,
Jesus meets us there!
When we do His work together,
Jesus meets us there!
When our workmanship is fine,
When it’s for the Lord of time—
When throughout the day we gather,
Jesus meets us there!

When we share Christ’s cup of blessing,
Jesus meets us there!
When our goal is praise unceasing,
Jesus meets us there!
When we offer heart and mind,
When our goal is good and kind—
When we share Christ’s cup of blessing,
Jesus meets us there!

Alleluia!  Alleluia!
Jesus meets us there!
Alleluia!  Alleluia!
Jesus meets us there!
When we venture far or near,
It is Christ’s “Well done!” we’ll hear!
Alleluia!  Alleluia!
Jesus meets us there!

Copyright © John A. Dalles, 2012.  
Permission granted to Paige M. McRight.

Background and Update as of 2024:
This hymn was written for the retirement worship service honoring The Dr. Dr. Paige McRight, as Executive Presbyter of Central Florida Presbytery.  Paige did a great job of overseen the work of the Presbytery and caring for the churches and ministers who belonged to the Presbytery.  She also helped to guide the Presbytery through some very challenging times, as there was a movement afoot nationally for congregations to both lobby for changes that were not Presbyterian in nature, and to leave the denomination by "taking the money and run" as well as the property, which in fact was not theirs to take.  It made life for the many faithful Presbyterians among us - myself included - pretty frustrating at times, because it got in the way of being the church and doing the work of Christ.  As I say, Paige was quite good at dealing with these nearly impossible messy situations.  Since retirement, she has been working every bit as hard as an interim pastor, and in work for the denotation, as well as writing for publication.  As they say, ministers don't retire, they just go out to pastor.  

This hymn is one of my favorites, and owes that in large measure to the wonderful tune it is set to, which of course was in my head as I wrote it.  I created it so that it consul be used in situations other than retirement, in deed, it is a good Morning Hymn for many worship occasions.  Give it a try; I am sure your congregation will enjoy singing it.