Sunday, May 9, is Mother's Day (just in case
you hadn't noticed!) and marks the beginning of Christian Family Week in the
Presbyterian calendar. To mark these occasions, we're happy to share with
you a hymn celebrating God's gift of families, from the Rev. Carolyn Winfrey
Gillette.[5-7-04]
A hymn celebrating God's gift of families:
You Formed Us in Your
Image, Lord
GREENSLEEVES 8.7.8.7 with
refrain (PH # 33)
You formed us in your image, Lord;
You call us your own children.
In you, each one is loved, adored --
Unique among the millions.
Bless, Lord, the families
Who know the joy: Christ claims and frees!
Bless, too, the ones who weep,
Forgetting that you love them.
You made our homes to honor you
With love the strong foundation.
In serving God and neighbor too,
We find our life's vocation.
Bless families large and small
Who love and serve you when you call.
Bless, too, the ones who fear --
Whose trust and love are shattered.
Christ loved and honored family,
Yet showed us what is greater.
He taught a higher loyalty
To God our good Creator.
Bless, Lord, the ones who long
To build up homes where faith is strong.
Bless children, women, men
Who risk to serve your kingdom.
In home and church our faith is formed;
We learn your love and caring.
From here we're called to face the storm,
Your love and justice bearing.
Each day your Spirit sends!
We go to strangers, neighbors, friends.
Peace, justice, joy we bring
To all your human family.
Biblical Texts: Genesis 1:26-27;
Galatians 3:26-27, 5:1; Acts 16:30-34; Ephesians 4:15; Mark 3:32-35; Matthew
6:33; 2 Timothy 1:5; and Acts 2.
Tune: English ballad, 16th century. Arr.
Christmas Carols New and Old, 1871. ("What Child Is This")
Text: Copyright ©© 2004 by Carolyn Winfrey
Gillette. All rights reserved.
305 South Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071 Phone:
(856)-589-8444 Email:
Bruce.Gillette@ecunet.org
Please contact Carolyn for permission to
use this hymn in worship services:
bcgillette@snip.net Thank you.
This hymn was written for Carlisle
Presbytery's March 6th Discover & Connect event on family ministries where
Bruce & Carolyn Winfrey Gillette gave the keynote presentation and were
workshop leaders. Carolyn found the Advisory Committee on Social Witness
Policy (ACSWP)'s 2004 report
"Transforming Families" to be helpful for writing this hymn
and for ministry with families.
Bruce and Carolyn
are the parents of John (16), Catherine (13) and Sarah (11). They have been
the co-pastors of the First Presbyterian Church in Pitman, NJ, since 1994.
Bruce and Carolyn wrote the 2003 revision of Freda Gardner's church guide to
the popular Active Parenting Now:
http://www.activeparenting.com/Magazine/fall04_9.htm
Carolyn is the author of Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today's Worship
(Geneva Press, 2000). A complete list of her hymns can be found at
http://firstpresby.org/hymnlist.htm
PCUSA Resources:
Christian Family Week resources from Family
& Single Adults Office:
http://www.pcusa.org/familyandsingle/christianfamilyweek/index.htm
Office of Child Advocacy:
http://www.pcusa.org/acswp/whatweredoing.htm
