Easy Ways to Find a Hymn
We hope you find the Topical Index, Scripture Index (useful for the Narrative Lectionary), Revised Common Lectionary Indexes, and Google Search to be helpful.
Hymns for Upcoming Sunday Worship
See the Scripture Index for worship planning.
April 28, 2024/Easter 5B
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O God, In Your Love
John 15:1-8
ST. DENIO 11.11.11.11 ("Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise") (MIDI)
Book: Gifts of Love
Inclusive Church
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Christ Be With Us
I John 4:7-21
HYFRYDOL 8.7.8.7 D ("Alleluia, Sing to Jesus") (MIDI)
CONVERSE 8.7.8.7 D ("What a Friend We Have in Jesus") (MIDI)
Books: Gifts of Love, Sing of the World Made New
Mission, Lord's Supper and Church Unity
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Welcoming God
ASSURANCE 9.10.9.9 with Refrain ("Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine!") (MIDI)
Book: Gifts of Love
This hymn celebrates Jesus' reaching out and calling the Church to do the same; it includes this verse:
"Children are welcome, Christ said one day,
When the disciples just urged them away.
Children are welcome at Jesus' knee:
God's own examples for ministry.
Welcoming God, you open the Way;
Even the smallest worship and pray,
Singing with faith and serving you well,
Your life to know and good news to tell."
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Creator Of the Water
LANCASHIRE 7.6.7.6 D ("The Day of Resurrection") (MIDI)
Book: Gifts of Love
This baptism hymn celebrates biblical stories about water (creation, Noah, Moses), Jesus' baptism and our baptism.
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O God, In Your Love
May 5, 2024/Easter 6B
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Welcoming God
John 15:9-17; Acts 10:44-48
ASSURANCE 9.10.9.9 with Refrain ("Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine!") (MIDI)
Book: Gifts of Love
This hymn celebrates Jesus' reaching out and calling the Church to do the same; it includes this verse:
"Children are welcome, Christ said one day,
When the disciples just urged them away.
Children are welcome at Jesus' knee:
God's own examples for ministry.
Welcoming God, you open the Way;
Even the smallest worship and pray,
Singing with faith and serving you well,
Your life to know and good news to tell."
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O God, In Your Love
ST. DENIO 11.11.11.11 ("Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise") (MIDI)
Book: Gifts of Love
Inclusive Church
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Welcoming God
May 5, 2024/Communion
May 9, 2024/Ascension ABC
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O Christ, When You Ascended
Luke 24:44-53, Acts 1:1-11
LANCASHIRE 7.6.7.6 D ("The Day of Resurrection") (MIDI)
Books: Songs of Grace, I Sing to My Savior, Worship and Song
This hymn celebrates Jesus' ascension and its importance for today.
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I Believe
AUSTRIAN HYMN 8.7.8.7 D ("Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken") (MIDI)
Book: Gifts of Love
The hymn is inspired by The Apostles' Creed which includes Jesus' Ascension.
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Remember Me
Acts 1:8
O WALY WALY 8.8.8.8 ("Though I May Speak") (MIDI)
Book: Songs of Grace
Various covenant stories; salvation history, including slaves in Egypt.
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O Christ, When You Ascended
May 12, 2024/Easter 7B
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God Made the Heavens and the Earth
Genesis 1
THE SOLID ROCK 8.8.8.8 with Refrain ("My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less") (MIDI)
Book: Gifts of Love
Creation and Environmental Stewardship
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O God, In Your Love
ST. DENIO 11.11.11.11 ("Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise") (MIDI)
Book: Gifts of Love
Inclusive Church
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God Made the Heavens and the Earth
May 12, 2024/Christian Family Week/Mothers' Day (US)
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You Formed Us in Your Image, Lord
GREENSLEEVES 8.7.8.7 with Refrain ("What Child Is This?") (MIDI)
Book: Songs of Grace
This hymn celebrates the gift of family, a popular one for Mother's Day and Father's Day.
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God Of the Women
SLANE 10.10.9.10 ("Be Thou My Vision") (MIDI)
Books: Gifts of Love, Voices Found
This hymn celebrates the faithfulness of women of the Bible, including as the first witnesses to Jesus' resurrection, and is a popular hymn for Mother's Day.
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A Grandmother, Lois
ST. DENIO 11.11.11.11 ("Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise") (MIDI)
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Thank You, God, for Parents
ST. GERTRUDE 6.5.6.5 D ("Onward, Christian Soldiers") (MIDI)
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You Formed Us in Your Image, Lord
May 19, 2024/Pentecost B (Ordinary 7B)
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Pentecost Had Come
Acts 2
ARGENTINA 11.11.11.11 with Refrain ("Song of Hope") (MIDI)
The hymn celebrating Pentecost remembers how "Suddenly the Spirit came in wind and flame, Sending men and women out in Jesus' name" (Acts 2).
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Faithful God, You Sent Your Spirit
Acts 2
NETTLETON 8.7.8.7 D ("Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing") (MIDI)
This hymn celebrates the church welcoming all.
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Spirit of God
Acts 2
O QUANTA QUALIA 11.11.11.11 ("God of Compassion, in Mercy Befriend Us") (MIDI)
Books: Gifts of Love, Voices Found
This hymn celebrates biblical stories of the Spirit from creation through the prophets, Jesus (including his baptism), Pentecost and today.
Anthem with composer Michael Bedford; available from the Choristers Guild
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I Believe
Acts 2
AUSTRIAN HYMN 8.7.8.7 D ("Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken") (MIDI)
Book: Gifts of Love
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Gracious God, We Will Not Gather
Acts 2:1-21
BEACH SPRING 8.7.8.7 D ("God Whose Giving Knows No Ending") (MIDI)
This hymn was requested by Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar, Resident Bishop of the Boston Area of the United Methodist Church. It is inspired by a prayer he wrote for Pentecost, 2020.
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Pentecost Had Come
Spring and Fall Ministry Celebrations
Many churches have special celebrations of their educational and music ministries in June or September.
We Thank You, God, for Teachers: A Hymn for Christian Education (WIE LIEBLICH IST DER MAIEN ("We Come as Guests Invited")) is sung by many congregations when they recognize their Church School and other educational programs in the late Spring or early Fall. The hymn is also available as an anthem from the Chorister's Guild.
All the Music Sung and Played Here (NETTLETON ("Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing")) celebrates the gift of music in the Church and is being used for choir recognition or dedication celebrations in the late Spring or early Fall as well as at "hymn sing" services.
May 26, 2024/Trinity B (Ordinary 8B)
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We Join In Proclaiming
Genesis 1-2; Galatians 3:26; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; John 15:13; Matthew 28:6; Acts 1:6-11; Acts 2; John 10:30; 2 Corinthians 13:14
ASH GROVE 6.6.11.6.6.11 D ("Let All Things Now Living") (MIDI)
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Nicodemus Sought Out Jesus
John 3:1-17
NETTLETON 8.7.8.7 D ("Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing") (MIDI)
A hymn written for Presbyterian Outlook magazine for Lent 2011
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You Have Searched Me, Lord, And Known Me
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
NETTLETON 8.7.8.7 D ("Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing") (MIDI)
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I Believe
Matthew 28:18-20
AUSTRIAN HYMN 8.7.8.7 D ("Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken") (MIDI)
Book: Gifts of Love
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God, You Love the World
John 3:1-17
ARGENTINA 11.11.11.11 with Refrain ("Song of Hope") (MIDI)
Book: Gifts of Love
Closing hymn and also a commissioning hymn for a mission trip
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Long Ago, God Reached In Love
JESUS LOVES ME 7.7.7.7 ("Jesus Loves Me") (MIDI)
Book: Gifts of Love
This hymn celebrates the covenants in the Bible.
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We Join In Proclaiming
May 27, 2024/Memorial Day (US)
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For This Land in All Its Wonder
CWM RHONDDA 8.7.8.7.8.7.7 ("God of Grace and God of Glory") (MIDI)
Book: Gifts of Love
A hymn for a national holiday (not uniquely American)
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God, We Walk Through Death's Deep Valley
VESPER HYMN 8.7.8.7.8.6.8.7 ("Now, on Land and Sea Descending") (MIDI)
BEECHER 8.7.8.7 D ("Love Divine, All Loves Excelling") (MIDI)
Book: Gifts of Love
"Do not let your hearts be troubled," Jesus said to those he loved.
"There are many dwelling places in my Father's house above."
Jesus, you have gone before us; Jesus, you will guide us there.
Lord, we trust your hand to lead us to the place that you prepare.
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God of All the Many Nations
HOLY MANNA 8.7.8.7 D ("God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens") (MIDI)
BEACH SPRING 8.7.8.7 D ("God Whose Giving Knows No Ending") (MIDI)
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For This Land in All Its Wonder
June 2, 2024/Pentecost 2B (Proper 4B, Ordinary 9B)
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We Do Not Proclaim Ourselves
2 Corinthians 4:5-12
ABERYSTWYTH 7.7.7.7 D ("Jesus, Lover of My Soul"; "Watchman, Tell Us of the Night") (MIDI)
In the face of challenges, Christ gives us strength to love, forgive and endure.
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We Do Not Proclaim Ourselves
June 2, 2024/Communion
June 9, 2024/Pentecost 3B (Proper 5B, Ordinary 10B)
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Mary Heard the Angel's Message
Mark 3:32-35
BEECHER 8.7.8.7 D ("Love Divine, All Loves Excelling") (MIDI)
HYFRYDOL 8.7.8.7 D ("Alleluia, Sing to Jesus") (MIDI)
Books: Gifts of Love, God's World is Changing, Voices Found
"Mary heard, 'Who is my mother? Who is in my family?
All who do my Father's bidding -- All these ones belong to me.'"
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Come and Join the Celebration
2 Corinthians 4:13 - 5:1
NETTLETON 8.7.8.7 D ("Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing") (MIDI)
ANN'S TUNE 8.7.8.7 D
Book: I Sing to My Savior
This hymn celebrates Christian hope found in Easter with references to Romans 8:26-39.
"God, we sing, for there is nothing that can keep your love away —
Not oppression, hardship, famine, things to come or things today.
Heights and depths cannot defeat us; death will never be the same.
Christ is risen! So you promise: we have life in Jesus' name."
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Listen, Sisters! Listen, Brothers!
2 Corinthians 4:13 - 5:1
BEACH SPRING 8.7.8.7 D ("God Whose Giving Knows No Ending") (MIDI)
Book: Songs of Grace
Resurrection, Hope and Everlasting Life
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Mary Heard the Angel's Message
June 16, 2024/Pentecost 4B (Proper 6B, Ordinary 11B)
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To What Can the Kingdom of God Be Compared
Mark 4:26-34; Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
TO GOD BE THE GLORY 11.11.11.11 with Refrain ("To God Be the Glory") (MIDI)
This hymn celebrates Jesus' three short parables about the reign of God.
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The Love of Christ Jesus is Urging Us On
2 Corinthians 5:14-17
FOUNDATION 11.11.11.11 ("How Firm a Foundation") (MIDI)
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God, In Christ You Give Salvation
2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 11-13, 14-17
CWM RHONDDA 8.7.8.7.8.7.7 ("God of Grace and God of Glory") (MIDI)
"God, in Christ you give salvation,
And in him, the old has gone.
We are made a new creation;
Now we sing: the new has come!"
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God of Love, We Sing Your Glory
2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 11-13, 14-17
NETTLETON 8.7.8.7 D ("Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing") (MIDI)
Book: Songs of Grace
"For in church, each generation builds by faith and not by sight —
And each one, a new creation, finds new ways to spread your light."
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To What Can the Kingdom of God Be Compared
June 16, 2024/Fathers' Day (US)
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When Jesus Called You "Father"
AURELIA 7.6.7.6 D ("The Church's One Foundation") (MIDI)
LLANGLOFFAN 7.6.7.6 D ("Lead On, O King Eternal"; "Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers") (MIDI)
Book: I Sing to My Savior
This hymn looks at the biblical images of father with sensitivity that it can be a difficult term for some people.
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You Formed Us in Your Image, Lord
GREENSLEEVES 8.7.8.7 with Refrain ("What Child Is This?") (MIDI)
Book: Songs of Grace
This hymn celebrates the gift of family, a popular one for Mother's Day and Father's Day.
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Thank You, God, for Parents
ST. GERTRUDE 6.5.6.5 D ("Onward, Christian Soldiers") (MIDI)
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When Jesus Called You "Father"
Latest Hymns
- O God, Within the Psalms draws from Psalm 23 and John 10 along with creation care themes.
- The Old Ones Among Us celebrates the wisdom of the older members of our faith, beginning with Anna and Simeon and continuing to our day.
- Now There is War laments the deaths of children in the current Middle Eastern war.
- We Join in Celebration, O God of Love and Grace was written for the 125th anniversary of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Trenton, New Jersey on November 5, 2023.
- A Lawyer Came Near lifts up Jesus' teaching about loving God and loving our neighbor; it is a prayer that we will follow God's way of love in this hurting world.
- We Have a Common Calling encourages cooperation in earth care and justice.
- There Came a Time in Egypt relates the kindness that we should share with refugees and immigrants to the holy disobedience of the Egyptian midwives to the orders of Pharaoh.
- O Lord, You Sent your Friends Out celebrates the story of Jesus walking on water and calming the storm, and Jesus' care for the church today.
- God of All the Many Nations is a new hymn for Memorial Day.
- O God, When We Face Trouble is for use by churches that are assembling or dedicating Church World Service kits. You may want to sing the first and last verses, and then insert a verse (or verses) in the middle for the kinds of kits that your church has chosen to make: Hygiene Kits, Emergency Cleanup Buckets, School Kits, Welcome Backpacks, and Period Packs (Menstrual Hygiene Kits).
- Jesus Welcomed Those Around Him, the story of Jesus calling two disciples and saying, "Come and see!", is a prayer that we will be humble and loving as we invite others to follow Jesus.
- Mary, Joseph! Take Young Jesus! lifts up the story of Mary, Joseph and Jesus fleeing into Egypt; it is a prayer for churches and for our nation to more faithfully follow Jesus' teaching about welcoming the stranger.
- O God, You Give Us Grapes and Grain celebrates the Eucharist and God's creation.
- O God of All Creation was written after severe storms caused massive flooding and damage in Pakistan, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Cuba, Florida, and other places. It is written in a general way so that it can be used in the future after other hurricanes, typhoons, and cyclones, which are unfortunately becoming more severe because of climate change.
- When You Show Up at a Dinner is a retelling of Jesus' teaching to take the humble seats at the table and to invite strangers who are in need to our own tables; it is a prayer that we will catch the vision of God's reign that turns the world upside down.
- Jesus, When You Live in Us lifts up Jesus' very difficult teaching that he came not to bring peace but a sword, and to divide family members from one another.
- Once a Sheep Was in a Pasture was commissioned by Presbyterians for Disability Concerns to be included in their 2022 Inclusion Sunday packet of materials for September 11, 2022.
- For the Music We Hold Dear was written for the retirement celebration of a church organist.
- We Pray for Peace was written in response to the crisis in Ukraine.
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The Climate is Changing
was written to support efforts to counter climate change,
including at the United Nations Climate Change Conference
in Glasgow, Scotland.
Words and music for a bulletin insert (PDF file, 43 KB) - We Pray for Afghanistan's People Today is written to a gentle, peaceful tune for a people who need gentleness, peace, justice, and human rights in their land (as we all do, in our lands).
Some pastors and church music leaders have asked for permission to use my hymns in worship services that they are streaming live, or in other ways they are reaching out to their congregations from a distance. During these challenging times, you have my permission to go ahead and use my copyrighted hymns in these ways for free.
Please continue to pray for my husband Bruce (also a pastor), who is recovering from acute leukemia and a bone marrow transplant. He is doing well in many ways, but we are staying very isolated due to his suppressed immune system. Thank you!
Some people have written to me that they would really like to support my hymn writing ministry at this time. While it is not at all required, I am open to this and thankful for your support. You may give through PayPal, referencing my email address of carolynshymns@gmail.com , or you may send a check to: Carolyn W. Gillette, P.O. Box 577, Owego, NY 13827. Remember, this is optional and you are welcome to use my hymns at this time, either way.
Please drop me an email at carolynshymns@gmail.com if you would like to be in touch. Thank you.
Carolyn
What
people are saying about Carolyn's hymns
and her new book of hymns,
Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor:
"Whenever there is an important season in the life of the Church,
a major step forward in Christian unity, or a human or natural
disaster that calls for lament and consolation, I have come to expect
a new hymn from Carolyn Winfrey Gillette that lifts up in song our
deepest yearnings to God. And what a gift those hymns have been!
Many of those songs, along with others, have now found their way
into a new book of hymns and meditations by Carolyn, Songs of Grace:
New Hymns for God and Neighbor. This book is a tremendous gift to
all the people of God to renew our worship and connect it in powerful
ways to the mission and unity of the Church. It is also a rich
resource for our prayer life and a strong reminder of God's call to us
all to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly (Micah 6: 8). I
recommend it with great enthusiasm to all who seek songs of grace that
lead us to serve God and neighbor more faithfully!"
—The Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick,
President of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches,
Visiting Professor of Ecumenical Studies and Global Ministries
at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and former
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.)
"I have appreciated Carolyn's hymns for many years. The
contemporary lyrics set to traditional tunes allow congregations to
sing their laments as well as their praises. Her Lectionary based
hymns put proclamation into the voices of the congregation as they
sing beautiful interpretations of the text. Her timely hymns,
prayerfully crafted after moments of crisis in our world, name the
suffering as well as the hope we can bring in the midst of
devastation. Carolyn's hymns are a rich resource for any worship
gathering."
—Rev. Dr. Kathy Black
Gerald Kennedy Chair of Homiletics and Liturgics
Claremont School of Theology
Claremont, California
"Carolyn Gillette's poetry and imagery reminds me of
both Tom Troeger and Wendell Berry, homey, yet profound, packed with
inspirational material, making this an excellent devotional
volume. Every poem is placed in a scriptural context, and shares
evocative insights. In addition, she suggests well-known hymn tunes
for singing around the family table or in communal worship. It is
excellent."
—The Rev. Dr. Arlo D. Duba, Hymn Writer,
Professor of Worship Emeritus, University of Dubuque Theological
Seminary
"The most impressive aspect of Carolyn's poetry is her
imagery. She uses powerful words, and words that aren't
expected. That's one of the qualities I have admired about many of
Brian Wren's earlier hymns. Carolyn continues that tradition. I was
especially moved by those hymns that deal with war and the innocent
victims left in its wake. The variety of tunes and meters is rich and
infinitely singable. The indices are especially helpful."
—Michael Morgan,
Author of Psalter for Christian Worship
Minister of Music and Organist at Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta
Seminary Musician for Columbia Theological Seminary
"Illuminating, inspiring, insightful, are a few words to describe
Carolyn's hymn lyrics. She is always at the forefront on just about any
issue of the Christian faith. National disasters, World events,
Cultural shifts, like God she is ever present and makes us think about
our call as Christians to face the challenges of the world before us
with the depth of our faith. I have used "God of the Women" in
countless women's retreats and conference events. It has encouraged
women to rethink who God is calling them to be and reminding us all of a
call greater than ourselves."
—Rev. Dr. Lanie B. Price,
St. John's United Methodist Church, Hazlet, New Jersey
"We have found that Carolyn's hymns are perfectly suited for
congregational singing because they marvelously combine the known with
the unexpected. She breathes new life into old familiar tunes through
careful readings of the Church's scripture and confessions and passion
for God's world in its pain, paradox, and promise."
—Rev. Dr. Thomas John Hastings
Director of Research
Center of Theological Inquiry
Princeton, New Jersey