Call to God

Call to God who gathers folks,

from where they’ve been scattered.

Don’t neglect the blind and lame, 

parents and the pregnant. 

Bring them by the road and stream, 

for their comfort matters. 

Once divided, reunite,  

underneath one pennant. 

—–

Everyone should hear the word; 

hear and know and show it.

Flocks, dispersed when wolves attacked, 

now have found redemption.

Sing the news from mountaintops. 

Shine the goodness; glow it. 

Like a watered garden, thrive. 

No one gains exemption.

—–

Women, dance and men rejoice. 

Mourning time has ended. 

Comfort all who sorrow, and 

set your sights on gladness.

By the bounty of the Lord, 

satisfaction’s mended.

Priests who serve the people’s needs, 

find their fill of fatness.

—–

Call to God who gathers folks,

from where they’ve been scattered.

Don’t neglect the blind and lame, 

parents and the pregnant. 

Bring them by the road and stream, 

for their comfort matters. 

Once divided, reunite,  

underneath one pennant.  

———-

Image:  Licensed to David Alexander by www.Storyblocks.com 

Source: Jeremiah 31:7-14

Text:  David Alexander,  2021, CC BY-SA 4.0

Tune:     Ave Virgo Virginum,Public Domain

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2017/Score/ComeYeFaithful-AveVirgoVirginum-Chords.pdf 

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com Used by Permission.

Wise Women and Men

When Herod was king back when Jesus was born,

some Eastern astrologers wise,

came seeking to worship the child of the morn,

whose star they had seen at its rise.

—–

Wise women and men still come seeking the One

Whose star over Bethlehem shone.

Whatever our gifts, these cannot be compared,

to love found in Jesus alone, to love found in Jesus alone.

—–

The king hadn’t known his successor had come.

He summoned the priests and some scribes.

And asking them where the Messiah was from,

heard “Bethlehem, of Judah’s tribe.”

—–

Wise women and men still come seeking the One

Whose star over Bethlehem shone.

Whatever our gifts, these cannot be compared,

to love found in Jesus alone, to love found in Jesus alone.

—–

The wise men first told when the star had appeared;

then hastened along on their way.

The star went ahead. They were guided to where

the child and his parents had stayed.

—–

Wise women and men still come seeking the One

Whose star over Bethlehem shone.

Whatever our gifts, these cannot be compared,

to love found in Jesus alone, to love found in Jesus alone.

—–

They entered and kneeling there worshiped their Lord,

then left and went back to their homes.

May Jesus, the one whom those wise men adored

in each of our hearts be enthroned.

—–

Wise women and men still come seeking the One

Whose star over Bethlehem shone.

Whatever our gifts, these cannot be compared,

to love found in Jesus alone, to love found in Jesus alone.

———-

Image:  Licensed to David Alexander by www.Storyblocks.com 

Source: Matthew 2:1-12

Text:  David Alexander, 2009, CC BY-SA 4.0

Tune:    Kirkpatrick, Public Domain

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF/HeHidethMySoul.pdf 

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com Used by Permission.

Call to God

Call to God who gathers folks,

from where they’ve been scattered.

Don’t neglect the blind and lame, 

parents and the pregnant. 

Bring them by the road and stream, 

for their comfort matters. 

Once divided, reunite,  

underneath one pennant. 

—–

Everyone should hear the word; 

hear and know and show it.

Flocks, dispersed when wolves attacked, 

now have found redemption.

Sing the news from mountaintops. 

Shine the goodness; glow it. 

Like a watered garden, thrive. 

No one gains exemption.

—–

Women, dance and men rejoice. 

Mourning time has ended. 

Comfort all who sorrow, and 

set your sights on gladness.

By the bounty of the Lord, 

satisfaction’s mended.

Priests who serve the people’s needs, 

find their fill of fatness.

—–

Call to God who gathers folks,

from where they’ve been scattered.

Don’t neglect the blind and lame, 

parents and the pregnant. 

Bring them by the road and stream, 

for their comfort matters. 

Once divided, reunite,  

underneath one pennant.  

———-

Image:  Licensed to David Alexander by www.Storyblocks.com 

Source: Jeremiah 31:7-14

Text:  David Alexander,  2021, CC BY-SA 4.0

Tune:     Ave Virgo Virginum,Public Domain

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2017/Score/ComeYeFaithful-AveVirgoVirginum-Chords.pdf 

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com Used by Permission.

Snow like Wool, Frost like Ash

Sing, Jerusalem, to the Lord on high

Zion, give praise unto your God.

You’ve been made secure and you need not fear

And the children within your walls.

God grants peace within your borders.

You are filled with the finest wheat.

—–

The commands of God go to all the earth

Running swiftly to ev’rywhere.

God gives snow like wool, scatters frost like ash

And spreads hail like crumbs from the air.

Yet cold far beyond our standing

Is relieved by the word of God.

—–

God makes wind to blow so the waters flow

In the nation the word is sown.

There’s no other place has received such grace

Learning clearly the way to go.

Sing praises to God, O Zion.

Lift your voices unto the Lord.

———-

Image:  Licensed to David Alexander by www.Storyblocks.com 

Source: Psalm 147:12-20

Text:  David Alexander, 2009, CC BY-SA 4.0

Tune:    Margaret,  Public Domain

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF/ThouDidstLeaveThyThrone-Margaret.pdf 

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com Used by Permission.

There’s a Reason I’m in Prison

There’s a reason I’m in prison, all can know the “whens” and “whys,”

Surely you’ve heard the commission given me in Jesus Christ.

—–

Mystery through revelation has been given unto me.

If you read what I have written you’ll be able to perceive.

—–

Formerly this mystery was not make known to humankind

But now it has been revealed that all are heirs in Jesus Christ.

—–

Of this gospel, I’m a servant, least of all the saints I am,

by the gift of grace from God and through the working of God’s hand.

—–

This my task, to bring the Gentiles news of God’s unbounded gift,

to reveal what long was hidden by the One who made all things.

—–

Through the church God’s wisdom now is known by all in heav’n and earth.

This was God’s eternal purpose, carried out in Christ the Lord.

—–

Access now is ours in boldness, confidence through faith in Christ.

Be encouraged though I suffer. Praise the Lord and live your lives.

———-

Image:  Licensed to David Alexander by www.Storyblocks.com 

Source: Ephesians 1:3-12

Text:  David Alexander,  2009, CC BY-SA 4.0

Tune:  Stuttgart, Public Domain

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2016/Score/ComeThouLong-Stuttgart-Chords.pdf 

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com Used by Permission.

Before the World there Was the Word

Before the world there was the Word, (by human ear as yet unheard),

with God and same as God from ‘ere a thing was made or life breathed air.

—–

The source of life through whom came light that shines upon all humankind,

though dark surrounds all that’s about this light shall darkness not put out.

—–

A messenger from God, one John, came preaching of the light to come.

Though he, himself, was not the light, he made it clear where light would shine.

—–

And though the world was made through Word, and though through John the Word was heard

And in the flesh incarnate came, yet world refused Word’s rightful claim.

—–

A few, however, did receive, and these few even dared believe.

So by the wWrd they came to be born into God’s own family.

—–

The Word became a human being, and filled with grace and truth was seen.

So heaven’s glory touched the earth and we beheld salvation’s birth.

—–

John spoke and cried, “This is the One of whom I spoke. Now Word has come!”

Out of the fullness of God’s grace we have been blessed in ev’ry place.

—–

Through Moses God had given law, through Jesus Christ comes grace for all.

Though God’s been seen by no one yet, in Jesus Christ God can be met. 

———-

Image:  Licensed to David Alexander by www.Storyblocks.com 

Source: John 1:1-18 

Text:  David Alexander, 2009, CC BY-SA 4.0

Tune: Puer Nobis Nascitur, Public Domain

Score: https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF/OLoveHowDeep-PuerNobisNascitur.pdf   

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com Used by Permission.

When, With His Angels, the Son of God Comes

When, with his angels, the Son of God comes; takes a seat upon the throne,

Nations will gather for Jesus’ judgment, separating sheep from goats.

—–

When I was hungry, you came and fed me. 

When thirsted, gave me drink.  

When I was lonely, I found you friendly. 

Sick in jail, you visited.

—–

Righteous will answer, “That wasn’t you, Lord. Those were women and some men.”

The Lord will thank them for all the actions, that they did, for all his kin. 

—–

When I was hungry, you came and fed me. 

When thirsted, gave me drink.  

When I was lonely, I found you friendly. 

Sick in jail, you visited.

—–

Others will argue, they were unknowing. So they’re free, from any sin.

Jesus will answer, his steady presence, with the poor, who needed them.

—–

When I was hungry, you came and fed me. 

When thirsted, gave me drink.  

When I was lonely, I found you friendly. 

Sick in jail, you visited.

—–

Sisters and brothers, a day is coming, there is yet time to respond.

Reach out to Jesus, helping the needy, here in this town and beyond.

—–

When I was hungry, you came and fed me. 

When thirsted, gave me drink.  

When I was lonely, I found you friendly. 

Sick in jail, you visited.

—–

Images:  Licensed to David Alexander by www.Storyblocks.com 

Source: Matthew 25:31-46

Text:  David Alexander, 2009, CC BY-SA 4.0

Tune: Traditional, Public Domain

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2013/Score/ToBeLikeJesus-Traditional.pdf 

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com Used by Permission.

Do What You Love

Do what you love, you’ll love what you’re doing. 

Do not consider where money fits. 

Do what God loves, you’ll find that it’s true then, 

giving is blessed, and everyone gets.

—–

Just how to find the thing that God’s loving, 

whether for nations or for a church,

can’t be discovered in creed or conduct, 

but in relationships and the search. 

—–

Seek not your own or other’s successes, 

God’s no respecter of massive wealth.

Rigid defense of things like your di-et, 

can leave friendless, though in good health.

—–

Aim for the center of your existence, 

live with the mess of society. 

Share what you have, both time and your substance. 

You’ll be both blessed and find yourself free.  

———-

Image:  Licensed to David Alexander by www.Storyblocks.com 

Source: 1 Kings 3:5-14

Text:  David Alexander, 2021, CC BY-SA 4.0

Tune:     Bunessan, Public Domain

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF/PraiseAndThanksgiving-Bunessan.pdf 

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com Used by Permission.

Joyous Life

If God asks you what you want, con—

sider as you make reply

God already knows what’s fitting. 

Don’t be clever, don’t be sly.

—–

Genies out of lamps are said to 

offer wishes. That’s not God.

What’s before you is not chance, it’s 

meant to fit you for a job.

—–

Give some thought to your commission. 

Keep the ones you’ll serve in mind.

With God’s pleasure, your decision 

will result in joyous life.

———-

Image:  Licensed to David Alexander by the Noun Project

Source: 2 Chronicles 1:7-13

Text:  David Alexander,  2021, CC BY-SA 4.0

Tune:    Sicilian Mariner, Public Domain

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2011/Score/ComeOEverlasting-SicilianMarine.pdf 

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com Used by Permission.

Grew in Wisdom and in Stature

Child once given to a mother who had pled to God on high,

Given back to Him who granted that for which her heart had cried.

He grew up to be a prophet and a judge to his own kind.

Grew in wisdom, and in stature and in favor with the Lord.

—–

Later to another woman, who gave birth when she was old,

came another child of promise who became a prophet bold.

He prepared the way for Jesus, this his mission, long foretold.

Grew in wisdom, and in stature, and in favor with the Lord.

—–

Born the savior of the nations, King of Kings and Lord of all,

Yet his mother was a virgin, and his birthplace was a stall.

As a child within the temple, to fulfill his Father’s call.

Grew in wisdom, and in stature, and in favor with the Lord.

—–

Called from every race and people, chosen e’er the world was form’d

Now one people,  Jesus’ body on the earth where He was scorned.

Giving thanks unto the Father, by the Spirit be transformed.

Grow in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with the Lord.

———-

Image:  Licensed to David Alexander by www.Storyblocks.com 

Source: 1 Samuel 2:18-20 & 26

Text:  David Alexander, 2003, CC BY-SA 4.0

Tune:   Holy Manna, Public Domain

Score:  https://www.smallchurchmusic.com/2020/Score/BrethernWeHave-HolyManna-Chords.pdf

Audio:  www.smallchurchmusic.com Used by Permission.