Let us SING (all the verses)

I am grateful that my current pastor allows us to sing all the verses of our hymns and not just "Verses 1,2 and 5". It is only by singing the full text of these hymns that we hear the whole story being told. Sometimes, those middle verses that are oft forgotten are the ones that really, really have the impact.

And so it was this morning at my church. Here are the lyrics to the hymns we sang.

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Lead On, O Cloud of Presence (tune is Lead On, O God Eternal)

Lead on, O cloud of Presence, the exodus is come,
in wilderness and desert our tribe shall make its home.
Our slavery left behind us, new hopes within us grow.
We seek the land of promise where milk and honey flow.

Lead on, O fiery Pillar, we follow yet with fears,
but we shall come rejoicing though joy be born of tears.
We are not lost, though wandering, for by your light we come,
and we are still God's people. The journey is our home.

Lead on O God of freedom, and guide us on our way,
and help us trust the promise through struggle and delay.
We pray our sons and daughters may journey to that land
where justice dwells with mercy, and love is law's demand.

***

Deep in the Shadows of the Past (Tune is "I Feel the Winds of God Today")

Deep in the shadows of the past, far out from settled lands,
some nomads traveled with their God across the desert sands.
The dawning hope of humankind by them was sensed and shown;
a promise calling them ahead, a future yet unknown.

While others bowed to changeless gods they met a mystery,
invisible, without a name: "I AM WHAT I WILL BE";
and by their tents, around the fires, in story, song and law,
they praised, remembered, handed on a past that promised more.

From Exodus to Pentecost the promise changed and grew,
while some, remembering the past, recorded what they knew,
or with their letters and laments, their prophecy and praise
recovered, kindled and expressed new hope for changing days.

For all the writings that survived, for leaders, long ago,
who sifted, copied, and preserved the Bible that we know,
Give thanks and find its story yet our promise, strength and call,
the model of emerging faith, alive with hope for all.

***

El Shaddai

El Shaddai, El Shaddai, El Elyon na Adonai;
age to age you're still the same by the power of the name.
El Shadai, El Shaddai, Erkahmka na Adonai;
We will praise and lift you high, El Shaddai.

Translations of the Hebrew:
El Shaddai: God Almighty
El Elyon: The Most High God
na Adonai: O Lord
Erkahmka: We will love you.


***

They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord,
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord,
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, By our love,
Yes they'll know we are Christians by our love.

We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand,
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand,
And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land;
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, By our love,
Yes they'll know we are Christians by our love.

We will work with each other, we will work side by side,
We will work with each other, we will work side by side,
And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride;
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, By our love,
Yes they'll know we are Christians by our love.

All praise to the Father, from whom all things come,
And all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son,
And all praise to the Spirit who makes us one;
And they'll know we are Christians by our love, By our love,
Yes they'll know we are Christians by our love.