Now Christ's peace be with you

Refrain:

Now Christ's peace be with you,

And again Christ's peace be with you;

As the Father sent Jesus,

Even now, know that he sends you,

Now Christ's peace be with you.

 

Let the Holy Spirit come

Into all your soul and being.

If their sins you're forgiving,

They can know their sins forgiven.

 

Refrain

 

Is it only when you see

That your heart becomes believing?

Who believes, though not seeing,

Truest blessings are receiving.

 

Refrain

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, March 2026, after John 20:19-31.

MUSIC: Tune WILD MOUNTAIN THYME, Irish melody (arrangements vary).

The "doubting Thomas" account in John 20 has never cooperated well with efforts at making a hymn. In this case taking some of Jesus's words to the disciples and then to Thomas offered a route to what might serve as a hymn of instruction, in a way.

 

 

 

Joy to the World! Christ Lives Again!

Joy to the world, Christ lives again!

Let earth rejoice and sing!

No more enclosed in cold, dark grave,

Let Christ’s new reign begin.

 

Joy to the earth, new life is here!

Rejoice, give thanks, and sing!

He lives to bring us to our God

And draw salvation near.

 

Sin reigns no more; Christ sets us free!

Lift up your voice and sing!

His life, once gone, now never ends;

This is our life to be!

 

Christ lives to reign in truth and grace;

Now let all peoples sing!

His mercy and his justice sure

Shall reign in every place.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, March 2026 MUSIC:

Tune ANTIOCH, attr. G.F. Handel, 1742; Art. Lowell Mason, 1836

 

 

Probably the most foolish thing I have done in the 6 1/2 year project of trying to be a hymn writer. Yes, it's that tune. Yes, it starts with those words. And it's an Easter hymn. 

 

 

  

Rise Up

Rise up, old bones, return to life,
Take sinew, flesh, and breath;
Give witness to the power of God,
A power that overcomes death,
A power that overcomes death.

Rise up, dear friend, return to life,
No longer in the grave;
Give witness to the love of God
That drives a Savior to save,
That drives a Savior to save.

Rise up, old church, return to life,
No longer drowned in fear;
Give witness to the word of God
The world refuses to hear, etc.

Rise up, my heart, return to life,
No longer bound in sin;
Give witness to the grace of God
And let a new life begin, etc.

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, April 2014; MUSIC Tune DOVE OF PEACE, American folk melody 

 

Suitable for Lent 5A, both the dry bones and Lazarus represented. 

 

  

The road of resurrection

The road of resurrection, we walk it every day

As we set out to follow on Jesus's steady way.

From childhood we are learning, with sure and steady stride,

To keep on moving forward and stay at Jesus's side.

 

We walk the road in living a witness as we go,

With words and deeds that honor the One who loves us so.

Our steps may be uncertain, but still our guide is sure

And holds us close for always, to teach us to endure.

 

We walk the road in standing with those the world lays low,

The widow, poor, and orphan, the "least of these" also.

Unflinchingly for justice, with mercy as our call, 

We walk the road in witness to Christ, our all in all. 

 

We walk the road in living in God's community,

With Christ our sole salvation, who gives us eyes to see.

Held in this full communion, rejoicing on the way, 

We walk this road together until our dying day.

 

And yet, though laid to rest wrapped in God's encircling earth,

This is no termination - no ending, but rebirth!

For when this life is over and we no longer roam,

The road of resurrection at last will lead us home. 

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, December 2025

MUSIC: Tune AURELIA, Samuel Sebastian Wesley, 1864.

 

 

I have no clue why this hymn happened as it did, when it did. I'ts not exactly Advent-ish, you know? But I think maybe a conference theme got in my head, and then ever-trustworthy AURELIA came along to provide a tune home for all the words that started coming forth. I'm just getting this committed to print (so to speak) before it goes away.