Earth, All Stars, and a Few Other Things

I've always liked the hymn "Earth and All Stars" (text and music, #412 in The Hymnal 1982). One of the things I like best is the scope of contemporary life that its text embraces. I must admit, however, that while calling upon all creation to praise God is easily understood, and "loud blowing snowstorms" are not unfamiliar to those of us in the Chicago region, some of the references in Herbert F. Brokering's vision have left the members of my congregation scratching their heads. "Loud boiling testtubes" and the occasional "shouting army" aren't a part of most of their lives - at least not currently. So I''ve written some verses to be sung on St. Giles Day, our annual fall season kick-off Sunday, which are more particular to the identity and ministries of our parish and to whose membership it is lovingly dedicated:

Tune: Earth and All Stars (David N. Johnson)

People of faith, sisters and brothers: Come, let us gather to worship our God.

Body of Christ, saints in communion: Come, let us gather to worship our God.
Refrain: We are the people of God in the world; we are the Church in celebration!

Gardeners and cooks, sharing abundance, Come, let us gather to worship our God.

Food rescue teams, serving the hungry, Come, let us gather to worship our God. Refrain

Heart, hands and voice, joining in praises, Come, let us gather to worship our God.

Organ and choir, instruments sounding, Come, let us gather to worship our God. Refrain

Spirit of truth, forming the faithful, be with us here as we worship our God.

Learning in love, telling our story, Come, let us gather to worship our God. Refrain

Welcoming all, heeding the Spirit, Come, let us gather to worship our God.

Diverse yet one, none are excluded! Come, let us gather to worship our God. Refrain

 

 

                                                                                                ©Cynthia J. Hallas, 2012