God, How Can We Comprehend?
ABERYSTWYTH 7.7.7.7 D
God, how can we comprehend— though we've seen them times before--
Lines of people without end fleeing danger, want, and war?
They seek safety anywhere, hoping for a welcome hand!
Can we know the pain they bear? Help us, Lord, to understand!
You put music in their souls; now they struggle to survive.
You gave each one gifts and goals; now they flee to stay alive.
God of outcasts, may we see how you value everyone,
For each homeless refugee is your daughter or your son.
Lord, your loving knows no bounds; you have conquered death for all.
May we hear beyond our towns to our distant neighbors' call.
Spirit, may our love increase; may we reach to all your earth,
Till your whole world lives in peace; till we see each person's worth.
Biblical References: Luke 15:1, Matthew 25:31-46, John 3:16; Colossians
1:20; John 14:26-27.
Text: Copyright © by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, 1999, rev. ed. 2001. All
rights reserved. Copied from "Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today's Worship" by
Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, Geneva Press. 2001. Email: Bruce.Gillette@ecunet.org
Tune: ABERYSTWYTH 7.7.7.7 D by Joseph Parry, 1879. "Watchman, Tell Us of the
Night" PH# 20 "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" UMH# 479 "Savior, When in Dust to You"
LBW #91
Permission is given for free use by the author for any congregation
supporting the relief efforts for refugees. Please include the above copyright
and contact information (in smaller type) when copying the hymn text or sharing
it with others. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette is the co-pastor of the First
Presbyterian Church in Pitman, NJ and author of "Gifts of Love: New Hymns for
Today's Worship" (Geneva Press, 2000).
