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.