Hymn Anthology by Erik Routley and Paul A. Richardson

I am glad to report that several of my hymns were selected and appear in this anthology. 

They are:

- "Come to Tend God's Garden"

- "God, Could It Be?"

There is a River

There is a River Filled with Hope!

Psalm 46:4 & 5

Text: John A. Dalles
Suggested Familiar Tune: AZMON
Meter CM (8686)

This week, I learned that this hymn is to be published as an anthem, by GIA Publishing, Chicago.

I have received the contract from GIA; so you will have to check with them from now on if you wish to use it.

Sacred composer Dorothy Frisch has created the anthem setting of this text that is particularly lovely.

Thankful Hearts

Thankful Hearts
A Hymn of Thanksgiving – Psalm 69:30

Text: John A. Dalles
Tune: GROSSER GOTT
Meter: 78.78.77.


Thankful hearts to You we bring,
God, whose mercies are forever,
Of Your blessings, God, we sing,
Your great love we honor, ever!
May we please You as we sing,
Thankful hearts to You we bring!

Source who sends both sun and rain,
Guide the way that fails us never,
Sharer of our joy and pain,
Grant us life, now and forever;
May we please You as we sing,
Thankful hearts to You we bring!

All Your goodness we receive,
As each day unfolds before You,
Joined in Christ whom we believe,
We rejoice, we praise, adore You!
May we please You as we sing,
Thankful hearts to You we bring!

We revere Your name in song,
Glorify You with thanksgiving;
Worship You, through ages long,
Glory, honor, reverence, bringing!
May we please You as we sing,
Thankful hearts to You we bring!



Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles

World Communion Sunday Hymn

CHRIST INVITES FROM EVERY NATION
World Communion Sunday Hymn

Text: John A. Dalles, September 30, 2011
Tune: BLAENWERN, BEECHER
Meter: 8787D

Christ invites from every nation,
Every epoch, time and place,
Guests to join the celebration,
In God’s banquet hall of grace!
Here, God’s Spirit shall surround us,
While we worship Christ the Son.
Christ has claimed us, Christ has found us:
Now, from every land, we come!

Christ has spread the table for us
In the presence of our foes,
Where the bread is broken for us
Where the cup of blessing flows.
God has called the world to savor,
All that Christ has done and said,
Taste the goodness of God’s favor,
From the table Christ has spread!

Christ invites the world to meet Him,
To respond with thankfulness,
Sing and shout with joy to greet Him,
Pray and praise His righteousness.
High and mighty, now adore Him,
Praise Him, too, the low and lone,
Every heart, come bow before Him,
At Christ’s table, joined as one!

Christ, whose world awaits our presence,
May Your fields show great increase,
And the harvest, ripe with reverence,
Yield the bounty of Your peace.
May earth’s people hear Your story,
Take to heart the truth we show,
And draw nearer to your glory,
As to every land, we go!

Copyright © 2011, John A. Dalles. Used by permission.

Permission granted for one-time use in worship,

with copyright notation as shown above.

Please let me know if you sing this hymn!

There are No Words to Fully Say

September 11, 2001 - September 11, 2011

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

There are no words to fully say
What happened on that dreadful day;
When towers fell, when glistening planes
Became the tools of terror’s reign.
The ones we lost shall ever be
Reminders of life’s brevity.
Dear God, surround us as we sing;
Bless us in our remembering.

God, there are symbols we revere
To keep their sacrifices near.
We mark our loss, in photographs,
Rare souvenirs and echoed laughs,
We will not let the grief and pain
Outstrip the memories that remain.
Dear God, surround us as we pray:
Bless us this day, bless us this day.

We thank the helpful ones who came
To staunch the wounds, to douse the flames;
The ones who set their needs aside,
To offer comfort, serve and guide.
Heroic deeds and kindness shared,
By all who gave, and all who cared.
Dear God, we ever shall recall,
The selfless ones who gave their all.

May people of good faith agree
To fashion God’s community;
To overcome pain and distress,
And live in peace and righteousness.
We stand for this, and this we know,
From Christ whose blessings overflow.
Dear God, we live in hope and pray:
Bless us this day, bless us this day.

If you wish to use this hymn in worship you may do so by including the following notation:

Copyright © 2011, John A. Dalles. Used by Permission.

I Will Honor Christmas within My Heart

Inspired by a passage from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”

Text: John A. Dalles, July 7, 2011

Tune: ICH STERBE TAGLICH

Meter: 98.98.88

I will honor Christmas within my heart,

I’ll share these treasures all the year.

The glow of Christ will shine and not depart,

Love lifts my spirits, cancels fear.

The new born Savior to adore—

I’ll honor Christmas evermore!

I will live within each page of the past,

Where simple shepherds, splendid kings,

Sing peace on earth, bring gifts, and hold Him fast,

Beneath a star, and angel wings!

The Savior born in Bethlehem—

I’ll treasure in my heart again!

I will live in the present joyfully,

No matter what this day may bring;

My needs and fears, surrender gratefully,

While unto Jesus I shall cling!

The new born Savior loves me still—

I’ll trust His word, I’ll do His will!

I will live in the future hopefully;

I’ll take the longest view I may,

Sure that the One who planted faith in me,

Shall guide me to eternal day!

The new born Savior is my king—

I’ll honor Christmas as I sing!

I will honor Christmas within my heart,

I’ll listen to what Christ will teach.

The glow of Christ will shine and not depart,

But bring the love of God in reach!

The new born Savior to adore—

I’ll honor Christmas evermore!

Copyright © 2024, John A. Dalles

New Collection of John Dalles Hymns is In the Works...

In yesterday's mail I received word from Wayne Leupold Editions that they plan to publish a new book of 62 of my hymns, called God Is the Singer's Friend, to be ready to present at the 2013 Annual Conference of The Hymn Society.

I am very pleased about this news.

As you know, Wayne Leupold Editions is the publisher of my most recent collection of hymns: We Turn To God.

That collection of 52 hymns appeared last summer, and can be ordered from Wayne Leupold Editions, Inc, 8510 Triad Drive, Colfax, NC 27235.

Visit their website:

www.wayneleupold.com