With our earthly bodies broken

Note: if you actually go to a hymn-writing workshop and show your hymns, you're going to get some edits. This recent hymn has a couple, probably to the better, though there are still a couple of things I'm not satisfied with yet. (Original here.) And yes, the event that provoked the writing of this hymn is two weeks from Monday.

Note 2, 18 August 2019: Another revision, very slight, and a different screen shot of a rearranged score, hopefully more readable.

With our earthly bodies broken,

            While our hopes fade into fear,

Bodies failing or cut open,

            Fates we never want to hear:

Where is Christ, the Great Physician?

            Where is Jesus’ healing touch?

Dare we question why this torment,

            Why we suffer pain so much?

Have we sinned somehow, unwitting?

            Have we failed to honor you?

Is there some great deed of service

            That we somehow failed to do?

Though your words refute such wond’ring,

            Make it clear that’s not your way,

Still we cannot help but question,

            Yet there’s nothing left to say.

Still you promise not to leave us,

            Though our doubting is not stayed.

You have claimed us in your kingdom,

            Though our fears are strong arrayed.

Should we fail yet to recover,

            If our wounds can never heal,

Let us not despair of knowing

            That your care for us is real.

Text: CSF, 2019.

Music: Suggested tune BEACH SPRING, The Sacred Harp, 1844.

God is not lifted up far away

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.

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: CSF, 2014, 2019, after Romans 10:6-8, 15

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

This has previously existed with just the one verse as a charge and blessing; it felt as though Romans 10 had more to offer. And yes, this reaches back to an "oldie goldie" tune, along the lines of this hymn. 

For those who hold us up

For those who hold us up when we are weak and fall:

Give thanks to God for those who give their strength to one and all.

For those who hold our needs in earnest, faithful prayer:

Give thanks to God for those who will not judge us our despair.

For those who show us love we don’t deserve by far:

Give thanks to God for those who love us wholly as we are.

For those who hold our lives in love and care and grace:

Give thanks to God for people such as these here in this place.

TEXT: CSF, 2019

MUSIC: Tune JULIA, CSF, 2019

Note: yes, an original tune. It really needs to be harmonized for good four-part congregational singing. I am extremely poor at such things.

Hint.

HINT. 

BLATANT HINT.

New note: Blatant hinting works! See below a harmonization by Caleb Mutch, with thanks to Sarah Godbehere for sharing the original with him.

Lord, when surrounded

Lord, when surrounded by calls to fear and hatred,

And idols false are thrust before our way,            

Then teach us hope and peace as your path for us,

And be alone our comfort every day.

When those who lead us make for our adoration

Idols of nation and security,

Call us, as Micah did, to yearn for justice,

And you alone our mighty fortress be.

Help us remember you are a God of nations,

And nations all your life and Passion share.

So, when we claim that you are only our God,

We place ourselves outside your guiding care.

Teach us surrender to your salvation only,

Turning aside from prophets false of war,

‘Til we abide with you in perfect fullness,

Singing in praise and joy forevermore.

TEXT: CSF, 2013

MUSIC: Tune: DONNE SECOURS (altered), Scottish Psalter, 1635

With our physical lives broken

With our physical lives broken,

            With hope fading into fear,

Bodies failing or cut open,

            Fates we never want to hear:

Where is Christ, the Great Physician?

            Where is Jesus’ healing touch?

Dare we question why this torment,

            Why we suffer pain so much?

Have we sinned somehow, unwitting?

            Have we failed to honor you?

Is there some great deed of service

            That we somehow failed to do?

Though your words refute such wond’ring,

            Make it clear that’s not your way,

Still we cannot help but question

            When there’s nothing left to say.

Still you promise not to leave us,

            Though our doubting is not stayed.

You have claimed us in your kingdom,

            Ev’n amidst our fears arrayed.

Let us not despair of knowing

            That your care for us is real,

Even if we don’t recover

            Or our wounds can never heal.

Text: CSF, 2019.

Music: Suggested tune BEACH SPRING, The Sacred Harp, 1844.

We trust in God, the loving Holy Spirit

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 (based on Book of Confessions 11.4, from A Brief Statement of Faith on the Holy Spirit)

MUSIC: Suggested tune FINLANDIA, Jean Sibelius

This is actually one of my older hymns but one that has been revisited a time or two. With the source material coming from the PC(USA)'s Book of Confessions it might seem to have a fairly specific audience, but it's available to any church or church musician who might find it useful. Caveat: while the tune might be public domain, it's possible or even likely that any harmonization(s) you have in your hymnal may not be, so don't let that slip by if you plan to use it.

Christmas Eve hymn: Great, great joy!

“Great, great joy!” the angels sing their song.

“For you is born a Savior holy; yet he rests in manger lowly.”

“Great, great joy!” the angels sing their song.

“Peace on earth,” the heavenly choir sings on,

“For now our God who reigns on high in this child has come down nigh.”

“Peace on earth,” the heavenly choir sings on.

Hope is born, this night in Bethlehem.

The star leads on and calls us ever to One who forsakes us never.

Hope is born, this night in Bethlehem.

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, December 2018 (after liturgy by Anna Traynham)

MUSIC: Tune STILL, STILL, STILL, Austrian Carol

            (“Still, Still, Still”)