See the children of God

Refrain:

See the children of God, and of Christ the body living!

See the Spirit among them in receiving and in giving!

See the children of God!

 

When the people share Christ's work with no barriers stood between them, 

Neither age, race, nor gender can keep any servant from him.

 

Refrain

 

(See the church of early Rome, women, men, enslaved and noble;

From such humble beginnings see the church flung wide and global.)

Refrain

 

Country roads or city streets, anywhere that lives are troubled,

May the church be the bearer of Christ's love and joy redoubled.

 

Refrain

 

Can we be such church today, in the world with joy and flavor?

Siblings all joined together, all alike in God's true favor?

 

Refrain

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, September 2023, ref. to Romans 16:1-16.

MUSIC: Tune WILD MOUNTAIN THYME, Irish melody. 

(note: tune is public domain but arrangements or harmonizations are likely copyrighted)

I am the weirdo who tries to extract a sermon out of Romans 16:1-16, Paul's extra-long greetings to members of the church at Rome that, though he had not visited yet, he still somehow knew or at least knew about. It's an interesting bunch in these greetings, from evangelists and even apostles to possibly enslaved or formerly enslaved people. There's at least a tiny little lesson for the church today in all of these names Paul calls out; if nothing else, this church and other similar congregations of the era are our ancestors in the faith, well before anybody was building cathedrals or megachurches.

On the other hand, if one isn't taking in that scripture, leaving out verse 2 should still hopefully be a useful hymn for the church, maybe even an aspirational one?

For ourselves we do not live

For ourselves we do not live,

Nor to ourselves do we die; 

If we die or if we live,

We belong to God on high.

 

To this end our Jesus died,

And yet also lives again.

Why then do you judge and chide

As if you were without sin?

 

God alone will judge us all, 

And before God we will be.

To our knees then shall we fall,

There to praise eternally.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, August 2023, after Romans 14:7-12.

MUSIC: Tune AUS DER TIEFE RUFE ICH, attr. Martin Herbst, 1676.

 

 

For this final hymn in the Romans cycle, the latter half of the reading bears the weight of song; a hymn about eating or not eating meat was frankly beyond me. The warning against judgment, not turning non-essential matters into "essential" tests of faith, and the like quite wanted to be sung, so to speak. Plus, I have now used the word "chide" in a hymn text. 

 

Owe to no one anything

Owe to no one anything, 

But to love each other well.

One who loves fulfills the law - 

All commandments one might tell; 

To a neighbor does no wrong, 

But such harm will love dispel.

 

New we know what time it is,

Time for us to wake from sleep.

Our salvation draws so near;

Night is gone and day we keep. 

Let us take up shielding light,

Put away the darkness deep.

 

Let us live with honor dear,

Not caught up in worldly care:

Vain indulgence, quarrelling rage,

Deeds that tangle and ensnare.

Put on Jesus Christ instead;

Wear his love to show and share.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, August 2023, after Romans 13:8-14.

MUSIC: Tune REDHEAD 76, Richard Redhead, 1853.

 

 

I suspect some will feel that this scripture reading needs a more exuberant or celebratory tune; for me, the weight of this passage - in many ways the very culmination of what Paul is trying to say here - bears some space for reflection and sober judgment, to borrow from earlier in the letter. 

Of the true gospel I am not ashamed

Of the true gospel I am not ashamed;

It is the power of God come to save,

For in this righteousness our God is named.

Righteous ones shall live in this faith God gave.

 

We have all sinned and our good sacrificed, 

But now are justified by God's own grace

Through the redemption brought by Jesus Christ; 

Our sins passed over, Christ's love in their place.

 

We have no cause now to boast or show pride,

No work of law has redeemed us this day; 

Only by faith is our life justified,

Only this faith sets us on the right way.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, August 2023, after Romans 1:16-17, 3:22b-31

MUSIC: Tune SLANE, Irish ballad.

 

 

This oddly patched-together lectionary reading does have some high points; it would have been impossible, for example, to make a representative hymn out of this reading without that declaration in 1:16 being a prominent part. The lurch from chapter 1 to chapter 3 brings a marked shift in tone, making a tune choice all the more significant. SLANE is up to the task of embracing both the highs and lows of such a reading.

 

 

Let God's own love

Let God's own love be genuine in you.

Hate what is evil; hold to what is true. 

Let love be mutual, and given well; 

Ardently serve God and God's love foretell.

 

In hope rejoice, and suffer patiently,

And in prayer persevere most faithfully.

Give for the saints in time of trial and need;

Welcome the stranger both in word and deed.

 

Bless those who persecute, and do not curse; 

Never let foes make you act and speak worse. 

Do not be overcome by vain falsehood;

Overcome evil only with the good.

 

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, August 2023, after Romans 12:9-21

MUSIC: Tune TOULON, Genevan Psalter, 1551.

The next reading in this year A series from Romans is a bit of a laundry list. Capturing all of Paul's items would have required a very long hymn, so a bit of a summarizing phrase is included in the final stanza. 

Therefore, sisters, brothers all

Therefore, sisters, brothers all,

Hear this, and now your charge foresee; 

Give your whole selves to our God; 

This your true worship now should be.

We, though many, are one body, 

Now and all eternity!

 

Be transformed by God's own work,

Your minds renewed so you can see,

Not conformed to worldly ways

So sorely bound and never free,

We, though many, are one body, 

Now and all eternity!

 

Sober judgment is your task,

According to the faith God gives; 

Members many, body one - 

We share the gifts that our Lord lives:

We, though many, are one body, 

Now and all eternity!

 

Prophets, ministers, and those 

Who teach us and exhort with glee; 

Givers, leaders, and the ones

For whom compassion is their plea.

We, though many, are one body, 

Now and all eternity!

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, August 2023, after Romans 12:1-8.

MUSIC: Tune REGENT SQUARE, Henry Thomas Smart, 1867.

 

The Roman road is still being built, so to speak. Any of five or six points from this passage could have been emphasized by being made into the refrain, to be sure, but our unity in the body of Christ jumped out most of all. The tune seems to provide good emphatic support to the text without overdoing it.

The Lord above will not reject

The Lord above will not reject the people God foreknew;

God's faithfulness is sure and fast - to these God will be true.

 

The gifts of God are not revoked; God's calling does not fail.

God's mercy is from age to age and will at last prevail. 

 

Our disobedience is not met with scorn or wounded pride; 

God will be merciful to all; in this good news abide.

 

 

TEXT: Charies Spence Freeman, August 2023, after Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32

MUSIC: Tune WINCHESTER OLD, Este's Psalms, 1592; harm. George Kirbye, 1592.

 

 

To be blunt, this is not much of a lectionary reading, though it does carry some weight in its few words. A simple, compact tune seemed the best option for taking up this brief but potent text.

God is not lifted up, 2023 version

God is not lifted up far away;

God is not hid in deeps far below; 

Take this word on your heart and your tongue:

God is with you wherever you go.

 

Refrain:

May the Lord speak through you;

May you be God’s messenger on the way.

May the Lord shine through you,

How you live, how you work, what you say.

 

With your mouth you confess Jesus Lord, 

In your heart you believe God did raise; 

All who call on the name of the Lord

Will be saved, with thanksgiving and praise.

 

Refrain

 

Who will offer the word of the Lord

To the ones who have not heard his name?

So how lovely the feet of the ones

Who will take the good news to proclaim!

 

Refrain

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, 2014, 2019, 2023.

MUSIC: Tune SWEET BY AND BY, Joseph P. Webster, 1868.

This hymn has happened in three distinct stages. The first stanza came first as an end-of-service sung blessing, back when writing things like this was the occasional cute diversion instead of something pursued; the third stanza actually came next, and the second is recently created to make a somewhat fuller hymn to accompany the RCL Romans 10 reading. (Yes, there is a rhythmic change in the refrain; I can't believe it's too difficult to pick up.)

For all led by the Spirit, alternate tune

For all led by the Spirit of God our Lord on high

Are children of that same God and on God's grace rely.

This Spirit does not hold us in bondage or in fear,

But brings us to adoption by God who draws us near. 

 

And if we are God's children, then heirs of God are we!

Joint-heirs with Christ our brother! Let all now hear and see!

Now hear creation groaning, with labor pains it cries;

Oh, how it longs for freedom, in earth and seas and skies!

 

We, too, wait or redemption with sighs for what will be;

We wait with hope and patience, although we do not see.

For all led by the Spirit of God our Lord above

Are children of this same God through God's unending love.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, July 2023; loosely after Romans 8:12-25

MUSIC: Tune AURELIA, Samuel Sebastian Wesley, 1864.

 

 

An alternate setting of this hymn, now with three verses instead of two (and a very familiar tune).

What I would give

What I would give, all for my people, 

The Spirit knows - I do not lie.

In my great sorrow I’d be willing 

To be cut off from Christ and die. 

Oh, how I long so for my people!

Oh, how it hurts to see them stray!

I only trust the God of covenant

Will see them on the covenant way.

 

These are my people, my own kindred, 

From whom I learned of God’s true call.

They taught me prayer, worship, and scripture,

And how our God is all in all. 

Oh, how I long so for my people!

Oh, how it hurts to see them stray!

I only trust the God of covenant

Will see them on the covenant way.

 

And most of all, they showed me Jesus,

The only Way and Truth and Life.

Oh, how it grieves me now to see them 

Caught up in anger, fear, and strife.

Oh, how I long so for my people!

Oh, how it hurts to see them stray!

I only trust the God of covenant

Will see them on the covenant way.

 

 

I say this hymn is based very, very loosely after Romans 9:1-5. It is clearly not a direct rendering; at the last I could not render Paul's expression of concern for the Jewish people from whom he had been born and taught in any way useful for hymn singing. I'm not sure this is any more suitable for hymn singing but it might well be more relatable for those who find themselves cut off from the tradition in which they were raised and nurtured (let the reader understand). 

 

God works in all things

God works in all things for our good

For those who love God as we should,

As God's desire is understood.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

When in our prayers we fail and weep, 

The Holy Spirit, strong and deep, 

Pleads for our souls with sighs so deep.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

Who can oppose us when we stand

Held in our God's almighty hand?

Who can accuse us in this land?

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

Nothing can separate us now - 

Not death nor life, this is God's vow - 

From how God's love will us endow.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

Praise to our God, who reigns above; 

Praise to our Christ, the Lord of love; 

Praise to our Spirit, heav'nly dove.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, July 2023, loosely after Romans 8:26-39.

MUSIC: Tune GELOBT SEI GOTT, Melchoir Vulpius, 1609;

            possible alternate tune O FILII ET FILIAE, French melody, 15th cent.

 

 

Another large tune, so to speak, or perhaps "firm" is a better word. Again, the expansive scripture is approached representatively, one might say, seeking to make sure that at least some of the highlights of the scripture are carried forward in the hymn text, so that at least the hymn might aid in remembering some of the scriptural highlights.

For all led by the Spirit

For all led by the Spirit of God our Lord on high

Are children of that same God and on God's grace rely.

This Spirit does not hold us in bondage or in fear,

But brings us to adoption by God who draws us near. 

And if we are God's children, then heirs of God are we!

Joint-heirs with Christ our brother! Let all now hear and see!

 

Now hear creation groaning, with labor pains it cries;

Oh, how it longs for freedom, in earth and seas and skies!

We, too, wait or redemption with sighs for what will be;

We wait with hope and patience, although we do not see.

For all led by the Spirit of God our Lord above

Are children of this same God through God's unending love.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, July 2023; loosely after Romans 8:12-25

MUSIC: Tune THAXTED, Gustav Holst, 1918.

 

 

The tunes seem to be trending bigger and more majestic, for the moment anyway. These later passages are long enough to resist a full summary in a hymn text (unless one wants to write old-fashioned hymn texts with twelve or eighteen stanzas, which I don't), so some picking and choosing is going on, admittedly. 

There is no condemnation now

There is no condemnation now for those in Jesus Christ;

You were set free when Christ our Lord his own self sacrificed.

 

For God has done what law in flesh could never hope to do:

The sin that kills is now condemned and no more reigns in you.

 

To live in Holy Spirit's light, it leads to life and peace; 

The mind in Spirit's guiding care finds freedom and release.

 

If resurrecting Spirit dwells in heart and soul and mind, 

With life and hope and peace and joy your self is now designed.

 

All praise Creator's endless love; all praise Redeemer's grace;

All praise Sustainer's guiding care, the Triune God's embrace.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, June 2023, after Romans 8:1-11.

MUSIC: Tune ST. ANNE, attr. William Croft, 1708.

 

 

Where last week's text needed a yearning, keening folk tune with all sorts of human emotive quality, this week's text is about as declamatory as it gets, and this tune seems just about perfect for the task. 

I do not do the things I want

I do not do the things I want,

But what I do is what I hate; 

I know the law of God is good,

But sin enthralls my inward state.

'Tis sadly true, I cannot do

The good things that I contemplate. 

Thanks be to God! All thanks and praise

To God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

 

Now when I want to do the good,

Then sin draws near, comes by my side; 

But God's good law is my delight,

And in God's truth I would abide.

Though still does sin make war within

I yet in God my hope confide.

Thanks be to God! All thanks and praise

To God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

 

O wretched body that I am

With sin at war with all my good,

O who will rescue me from death

And help me live the way I would?

God comes to save me from the grave

and free my soul from sin's falsehood!

Thanks be to God! All thanks and praise

To God through Jesus Christ our Lord!

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, June 2023, after Romans 7:15-25.

MUSIC: Tune YE BANKS AND BRAES, Scottish melody.

 

 

The Romans series continues. I had thought long ago that if I was really going to do such a series, this passage (which is basically Paul going into emotional and spiritual dark places and getting all tangled up in it) would be one of the hardest if not the hardest. Once, however, this tune came to mind with its folk and even ballad-like qualities, the text came together fairly quickly.

Thanks be to God that you, once bound in sin

Thanks be to God that you, once bound to sin,

Are now obedient from the heart within

To what you learned when God's free grace broke in.

Alleluia! 

 

No more let sin have power in your life!

No more may sin's rule be so strong and rife.

Be no more bound by sin and storm and strife.

Alleluia! 

 

Present yourself to God as one set free

From death to life with gladness and with glee!

Show forth God's grace for all the world to see.

Alleluia! 

 

No more is death the price that you must pay; 

God's gift of grace, both now and every day,

Is life eternal following Christ's own way.

Alleluia! 

 

Praise be to God, the Giver of this grace;

Praise be to Christ, who sin's power did erase; 

Praise be to Spirit, with us in every place.

Amen!

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, June 2023, loosely after Romans 6:12-23

MUSIC: Tune ENGELBERG, Charles Villiers Stanford, 1904; alt.

The Romans series apparently continues. Some rearranging seemed necessary to start the hymn with something other than the negative commands found in verse 2 (roughly vv. 12-14 in the Romans reading); the exaltation of v. 17 provided a more joyous starting place for the hymn text. The text originally started forming to SINE NOMINE, but I frankly have enough texts to that tune for now, and this is a tune I've wanted to set for some time. It may have provided a cleaner and more fit setting for this text in the end as well.

Come, walk in this new life!

Come, walk in this new life!

Come and be dead to sin. 

We who are baptized in the Lord

Bear Christ's new life within.

 

Come, walk in this new life!

God's true grace will abound;

Without our sin, our Lord still lets 

His loving grace resound.

 

Come, walk in this new life!

For we have died with Christ

And live in him who gave for us 

His own life, sacrificed.

 

Come, walk in this new life!

Know you are dead to sin. 

Live as one baptized in the Lord; 

Bear Christ's new life within.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, June 2023, roughly after Romans 6:1-11

MUSIC: Tune FESTAL SONG, William H. Walter, 1872.

 

 

 

The Romans RCL Year A set continues, apparently. These passages most typically contain at least one instruction or encouragement that can become a focal point, and Paul's understanding about how we "walk in newness of life" (v. 4) helps here. This tune offered a means of reinforcing that mandate by means of repetition.