Here’s a wonderful new hymn based on Matthew 1 3 3 1 -3 3 , 4 4 -4 5 , written by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. If you’re working with the lectionary texts for July 2 4 2 01 1 (Proper 12A) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
See below for copyright information.
To What Can the Kingdom of God
To what can the kingdom of God
A mustard seed falls where a field's been prepared,
And there, where predictable plantings should be,
There grows up a wild bush — as big as a tree!
God of love, here on earth, hidden things still surprise:
Loving deeds ... signs of birth ... faithful, Spirit-filled lives.
Your reign is amazing, your ways still astound,
Just like that new life springing forth from the ground.
A mustard seed falls where a field's been prepared,
And there, where predictable plantings should be,
There grows up a wild bush — as big as a tree!
God of love, here on earth, hidden things still surprise:
Loving deeds ... signs of birth ... faithful, Spirit-filled lives.
Your reign is amazing, your ways still astound,
Just like that new life springing forth from the ground.
A small bit of leaven will change the whole bread:
A poor woman sees that her neighbors are fed,
A church reaches out to the youth in the town,
A man shares his faith and God's blessings abound.
God of love, here on earth, hidden things still surprise:
Loving deeds ... signs of birth ... faithful, Spirit-filled lives.
Your reign is among us, creation is blessed,
A poor woman sees that her neighbors are fed,
A church reaches out to the youth in the town,
A man shares his faith and God's blessings abound.
God of love, here on earth, hidden things still surprise:
Loving deeds ... signs of birth ... faithful, Spirit-filled lives.
Your reign is among us, creation is blessed,
When even a few faithful lives change the rest.
While some look for treasure or one priceless pearl,
God's reign is the gift wise ones seek in this world.
A girl sells possessions to help those in need;
A boy chooses faithfulness rather than greed.
God of love, here on earth, hidden things still surprise:
Loving deeds ... signs of birth ... faithful, Spirit-filled lives.
Your reign is a treasure that wise ones pursue;
May we seek your kingdom in all that we do.
God's reign is the gift wise ones seek in this world.
A girl sells possessions to help those in need;
A boy chooses faithfulness rather than greed.
God of love, here on earth, hidden things still surprise:
Loving deeds ... signs of birth ... faithful, Spirit-filled lives.
Your reign is a treasure that wise ones pursue;
May we seek your kingdom in all that we do.
Biblical Text: Matthew 1 3 3 1 -3 3 , 4 4 -5 2
Tune: William Howard Doane,1 87 5 .
Text: Copyright ©2 01 1
Email: bcgillette@comcast.net
Tune: William Howard Doane,
Text: Copyright ©
Email: bcgillette@comcast.net
Hymn Use Permission: This hymn is copyrighted and is not covered by any organization (such as CCLI or OneLicense) that gives churches permission to use church music. If you would like to use this hymn, please contact Carolyn and Bruce Gillette (bcgillette@comcast.net) for permission and to get a copy of the hymn in MS Word format for bulletin use. See also A Dozen Ways to Support Carolyn's Hymn-writing (including hymn use permission).
For more song suggestions for July 2 4 2 01 1 1 2 A or Praise & Worship Songs: Proper 1 2 A.
For more creative worship resources based on the lectionary readings for July 2 4 2 01 1 1 2 A in the list of “Labels” at the right side of the page.
