For earlier this year for a set of services in my previous congregation on A Brief Statement of Faith, I had posted four hymns I wrote based on that statement - one a more general hymn and three on the three central parts of the statement. It finally occurred to me (with the possibility that someone out there might be looking for them) that it might be useful to compile them in one place. While I did add some different tunes by active composers, for the purpose of avoiding copyright issues all three of the latter hymns are to the tune FINLANDIA here. If folks would like to see the others I can send them privately and not trample on the works of those composers. (PDFs available upon request, although you'll need the accompanist's Glory to God hymnal to play them.)
In life, in death, we are God's own, in this life and beyond.
Through Jesus's grace, through God's true love, through Holy Spirit's bond,
We trust in God, the One in Three, in Israel's Holy One.
We serve and worship God alone, from now till time is done.
We trust in Jesus, man and God, whose life became our call.
We trust in the creating God, we in that image all.
We trust in Holy Spirit who renews our life each day.
In Spirit's power, with thanks to God, we serve in Christ's own way.
With all who claim the name of Christ, in every time and place,
Rejoice that none can keep us from God's love in Jesus's grace.
All glory to the Father high, all glory to the Son,
All glory to the Spirit dear, the blessed Three in One.
TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, October 2022, after A Brief Statement of Faith.
MUSIC: Suggested tune RESIGNATION, USA folk melody, Lewis's Beauties of Harmony, 1828.
Possible alternate tunes:
KINGSFOLD, English Country Songs, 1893; harm. Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906;
NOEL, English melody; arr. Arthur S. Sullivan, 1874.
Who showed to all the coming reign of God:
Who brought good news to those lives poor and broken,
Freedom to captives snared in systems flawed;
Who taught not only in those words he spoke then,
But also in the works and deeds he showed.
He blessed the children, healed the sick and wounded,
Bound up the hearts undone by cruel fates;
He ate with those unwanted by the masters,
Forgave us all bound fast in sinful states.
He called us all to live in true repentance
And to believe in God who dearlyS waits.
Wrongly condemned by lies of cruel hatred,
Jesus was taken, bound, and crucified.
The depths of human pain he fully suffered,
And for the sinfulness of all, he died.
But God did raise him from death's cruel prison!
No more could sin our souls from God divide.
The power of sin and evil now is broken;
We are delivered now from death to life.
The sinless life that Jesus lived among us
Is vindicated, no more caught in strife.
We trust in Christ, both God and fully human,
Who brings us home to God's full reign of life.
TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, September 2022, based on PC(USA) Book of Confessions 11.2 from A Brief Statement of Faith.
MUSIC: Tune FINLANDIA, Jean Sibelius, 1898.
We trust in God, whom Jesus called his Father;
God made this world and also called it good.
In love God made us all in God's own image,
Of every gender, race, and neighborhood.
To live in holy, right and true communion;
This is our call for living as we should.
But we rebel and hide from our Creator.
God's own commandments we have brushed aside.
We mar God's image in ourselves and others,
And break this planet where we all abide,
Take lies for truth, exploit both world and neighbor.
God could condemn us, should God so decide.
But God is just; in mercy God redeems us;
God chose a people to bless all the earth.
God heard their cry, delivered them from bondage,
And makes us heirs with Christ in his new birth.
God acts in love to care for all the people
Named as God's children, reckoned as God's worth.
God, like a mother caring for her children,
Will not forsake the smallest, lowliest child.
God, like a father running to the wanderer,
Welcomes us home, no matter how defiled.
We trust in God, whom Jesus called his father,
And who desires us to be reconciled.
TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, October 2022, based on PC(USA) Book of Confessions 11.3 from A Brief Statement of Faith.
MUSIC: Tune FINLANDIA, Jean Sibelius, 1898.
We trust in God, the loving Holy Spirit,
Who everywhere renews and gives us life;
Who justifies by grace through faith, and frees us
To love our God and neighbor all alike;
Who binds us all believers in one Body,
Which is the church, the body of our Christ.
This Spirit, who ruled prophets and apostles,
In Christ through scripture rules our lives the same;
Calls us through Word and claims us in the water;
Through bread and cup feeds those who call God’s name,
And calls, to serve and care for all God’s children,
Women and men, Christ’s good news to proclaim.
In this cold world, in fear and sadness broken,
The Holy Spirit holds and makes us true
Always to pray, and to all peoples witness,
To name false gods, hear voices long subdued,
To strive for justice, struggle for God’s freedom,
And holy peace for all the world renew.
By Spirit strengthened, joyful with thanksgiving,
We live to serve our Savior, Jesus Christ;
Live joyful lives, and watch for God’s dominion,
“Lord Jesus, come!” our prayer for all our time.
We trust in God, the loving Holy Spirit,
Who everywhere renews and gives us life.
TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, June 2018, rev. August 2020.
Suggested tune: FINLANDIA (“Be Still, My Soul”), Jean Sibelius, 1899
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