Books of Carolyn's hymns
- Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today's Worship (Geneva Press)
- Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor (Upper Room Books)
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.
Latest Hymns
-
God, We Wonder Where to Find You
is based on the themes of
"Grounded: Finding God in the World — A Spiritual Revolution"
by Diana Butler Bass; the author asked Carolyn to write this hymn.
-
God, Your Love is Everlasting,
You Give Your Church a Story,
Since The Lord is My Salvation,
God, You Call Us to the Waters,
We're Part of the Blessing,
Since We Belong to Christ,
We Long To Know Peace!,
The Night of His Betrayal,
Surely He Has Borne Our Suffering, and
O God, In Raising Jesus
are new hymns for Lent, Holy Week, and Easter,
commissioned by the
Presbyterian Outlook
magazine. The Outlook sells these hymns for $10.00,
with the hymn text and music together as a downloadable
bulletin insert.
-
If I Saw My Toddler
is a hymn inspired by a photo of a child in a refugee camp,
raising her arms in surrender to a photographer,
because the child thought the camera with the long lens was a gun.
- More Hymns for Refugees and Immigrants:
God, How Can We Comprehend? and
Abraham Journeyed to a New Country
are two hymns that churches are using to respond to the refugee crisis.
Carolyn gives permission for their free use and asks that you share them
with other churches to encourage churches helping in refugees fleeing war
and persecution. Email
bcgillette@comcast.net
for these hymns formatted for a worship bulletin insert in MS Word
(also helpful for projection software) and with the hymn texts
formatted with the music.
-
They Met to Read the Bible was written as a lament in response to
the killings at Emanuel A. M. E. Church in Charleston, racism, and gun
violence. See
A New Hymn for Charleston by Joshua Rothman
in The New Yorker magazine.
Hymns for Upcoming Sunday Worship
See the Scripture Index
for worship planning.
January 31, 2016/Epiphany 4C (Ordinary 4C)
-
They Raged At Jesus' Sermon
Luke 4:21-30; 1 Kings 17; 2 Kings 5:1-14
LLANGLOFFAN 7.6.7.6 D ("Lead On, O King Eternal"; "Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers") (MIDI)
WEBB 7.6.7.6 D ("Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus") (MIDI)
-
How Lovely Is Your Church, O Lord!
Jeremiah 1:4-8
ST. ANNE 8.6.8.6 ("Our God, Our Help in Ages Past") (MIDI)
Book: Songs of Grace
-
God of Generations
Jeremiah 1:4-10
NICAEA 12.12.12.10 ("Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!") (MIDI)
Book: Gifts of Love
Church for All Ages
-
God, In Joy We Gather
1 Corinthians 13
NICAEA 12.12.12.10 ("Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!") (MIDI)
Book: Gifts of Love
Wedding
-
Go Walk with God
1 Corinthians 13:8
O WALY WALY 8.8.8.8 ("Though I May Speak") (MIDI)
TALLIS' CANON 8.8.8.8 ("All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night") (MIDI)
Book: Songs of Grace
Trinitarian Blessing is the inspiration of this hymn that can be used
for a closing/commissioning hymn as well as one for departing members
who are moving away.
-
God, Whose Love Is Always Stronger
1 Corinthians 13
BEACH SPRING 8.7.8.7 D ("God Whose Giving Knows No Ending") (MIDI)
Book: Songs of Grace
A hymn for peace.
-
God Bless the Poet's Heart and Hand
1 Corinthians 13:12; Luke 4:21-30
TALLIS' CANON 8.8.8.8 ("All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night") (MIDI)
Book: Songs of Grace
The Mystery and Wonder of God
"God, bless the ones who boldly dare to
let the scriptures be their guide"
February 7, 2016/Transfiguration C (Ordinary 5C)
-
One Day Jesus Climbed a Mountain
Luke 9:28-36; 2 Peter 1:16-18
W ZLOBIE LEZY 4.4.7.4.4.7.4.4.4.4.7 ("Infant Holy, Infant Lowly") (MIDI)
-
O Lord, As You Were On Your Way
Luke 9:28-36; 2 Peter 1:16-18
REPTON 8.6.8.8.6.6 ("How Clear Is Our Vocation, Lord") (MIDI)
Book: Songs of Grace
Transfiguration
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God, The Mountains Tell Your Glory
Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
AUSTRIAN HYMN 8.7.8.7 D ("Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken") (MIDI)
ABBOT'S LEIGH 8.7.8.7 D ("God Is Here!")
February 7, 2016/Souper Bowl Sunday
-
God, You Give Us Recreation
IN BABILONE 8.7.8.7 D ("There's a Wideness in God's Mercy") (MIDI)
Book: Songs of Grace
This hymn is used by many churches to support Souper Bowl Sunday's
collection of food for the hungry.
February 7, 2016/Communion
February 10, 2016/Ash Wednesday ABC
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God, Your Love is Everlasting
Isaiah 58:1-12; Matthew 6:1-6; Matthew 16-21
BEACH SPRING 8.7.8.7 D ("God Whose Giving Knows No Ending") (MIDI)
-
When Giving Your Gifts
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
LYONS 10.10.11.11 ("O Worship the King, All Glorious Above!") (MIDI)
A hymn for Ash Wednesday
-
See! Now is the Time!
2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
LYONS 10.10.11.11 ("O Worship the King, All Glorious Above!") (MIDI)
A hymn for Ash Wednesday
-
O God of Love, The Fast You Choose
Isaiah 58:1-12
KINGSFOLD 8.6.8.6 D ("Today We All Are Called to Be Disciples") (MIDI)
-
O God, Be Merciful To Me
Psalms 51
CRIMOND 8.6.8.6 ("The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want") (MIDI)
Book: Songs of Grace
This hymn, based on Psalm 51, can be a sung prayer of confession.
-
When You Are Praying
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
NEW BRITAIN 8.6.8.6 ("Amazing Grace") (MIDI)
CRIMOND 8.6.8.6 ("The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want") (MIDI)
Book: Gifts of Love
Jesus' teaching on prayer, including the Lord's Prayer.
-
Don't Show Off Your Giving
Matthew 6
ASH GROVE 6.6.11.6.6.11 D ("Let All Things Now Living") (MIDI)
-
Ash Wednesday Comes and, Lord, We Hear
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
TALLIS' CANON 8.8.8.8 ("All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night") (MIDI)
A hymn written for Presbyterian
Outlook magazine for Lent 2011
February 14, 2016/Lent 1C
-
You Give Your Church a Story
Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Luke 4:1-13
ELLACOMBE 8.6.8.6 D ("I Sing the Mighty Power of God"; "Hail To the Lord's Anointed") (MIDI)
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All Who Call Upon the Lord's Name
Romans 10:8b-13
BEACH SPRING 8.7.8.7 D ("God Whose Giving Knows No Ending") (MIDI)
A hymn for the First Sunday in Lent, Year C
-
Spirit of God
Luke 4:1
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
-
Our Lord, You Were Sent
Luke 4:1-13
FOUNDATION 11.11.11.11 ("How Firm a Foundation") (MIDI)
Book: Songs of Grace
Jesus' temptations and our temptations
February 21, 2016/Lent 2C
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Since the Lord is My Salvation
Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35
NETTLETON 8.7.8.7 D ("Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing") (MIDI)
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O God of Light, May Our Light Shine
Psalms 27:1
CANONBURY 8.8.8.8 ("Lord, Speak to Me, That I May Speak") (MIDI)
Book: Songs of Grace
February 28, 2016/Lent 3C
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God, You Call Us to the Waters
Isaiah 55:1-9; Psalm 63:1-8
W ZLOBIE LEZY 4.4.7.4.4.7.4.4.4.4.7 ("Infant Holy, Infant Lowly") (MIDI)
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All You Who Thirst, Gather Here At the Waters
Isaiah 55:1-9
O QUANTA QUALIA 11.11.11.11 ("God of Compassion, in Mercy Befriend Us") (MIDI)
A hymn for the Third Sunday in Lent, Year C
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One Day the News was Grim
Luke 13:1-11
LEONI 6.6.8.4 ("The God of Abraham Praise") (MIDI)
The Third Sunday in Lent
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O God, I Seek Your Grace
Psalms 63:1-8
CARLISLE 6.6.8.6 ("Stand Up and Bless the Lord") (MIDI)
-
Creator Of the Water
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
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.
March 6, 2016/Lent 4C
-
We're Part of the Blessing
2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3; Luke 11b-32
ASH GROVE 6.6.11.6.6.11 D ("Let All Things Now Living") (MIDI)
-
All Those Who Live In Christ Jesus
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
LOBE DEN HERREN 14.14.4.7.8 ("Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty") (MIDI)
A hymn for the Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year C
-
The Love of Christ Jesus is Urging Us On
2 Corinthians 5:14-17
FOUNDATION 11.11.11.11 ("How Firm a Foundation") (MIDI)
-
God's Great Love Is So Amazing
Luke 15
CONVERSE 8.7.8.7 D ("What a Friend We Have in Jesus") (MIDI)
Books: Gifts of Love, Sing the Faith
This hymn celebrating three lost and found parables in Luke 15,
including the woman looking for the lost coin, is a good one to use
to encourage church members to invite people to church.
-
O God, In Your Love
Luke 15
ST. DENIO 11.11.11.11 ("Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise") (MIDI)
Book: Gifts of Love
Inclusive Church
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
Books of Carolyn's hymns
- Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today's Worship by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (Geneva Press, 2000)
- Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (Upper Room Books, 2009)
Books including Carolyn's hymns
- Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal (Westminster/John Knox Press, 2013)
- Lift Up Your Hearts: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs (Christian Reformed Church in North America, Reformed Church in America, Faith Alive Christian Resources, 2013)
- Sing of the World Made New: Hymns of Justice, Peace, and Christian Responsibility (Hope Publishing Company and GIA Publications, 2014)
- The Abingdon Creative Preaching Annual 2015 (Abingdon Press, 2014)
- The Abingdon Creative Preaching Annual 2014 (Abingdon Press, 2013)
- Community of Christ Sings (Herald Publishing House, 2013)
- Worship and Song (Abingdon Press, 2011)
- More Voices (United Church of Canada, Westminster/John Knox Press, 2009)
- Singing the New Testament (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and Christian Reformed Church, Faith Alive Christian Resources, 2008)
- Sing the Faith: New Hymns for Presbyterians (Westminster/John Knox Press, 2003)
- Voices Found: Women in the Church's Song (Episcopal Church Publishing, 2003)
A Dozen Ways to Support
Carolyn's Hymn Writing
Join our Hymn News Email Group
We are happy to send you news about new hymns by Carolyn.
She writes hymns about how faith speaks to events in the world
(disasters, social concerns, everyday living, etc.)
as well as new hymns based on scripture,
including lectionary lessons.
To request free update notes about Carolyn's hymns,
send an email message to bcgillette@comcast.net
with "hymn news" in the subject line.
We appreciate your sharing hymn news with pastors,
church musicians and others who love hymns.