Thursday, March 19, 2020

"Extend Your Healing Hand"


I am obviously writing while we're supposed to stay inside. This one and "Hymn for Streamed Worship" spring from what's happening all around us right now.
 
Extend Your Healing Hand
[A Congregational Prayer for Healing]
S.M. (6.6.8.6)

Extend your healing hand,
apply your tender touch
to all whose frame is filled with pain,
who need you, Christ, so much.

With cancer and disease,
of failing heart and lung,
from injury and accident,
relieve both old and young.

First, Lord, we turn to you –
not as a last resort.
Give those whose hope is fading fast
your strengthening support.

As once in Galilee
you stooped to raise and heal,
all health improve, all peace restore.
O let this be your will.
Amen.
R. G. Huff

Tune Possibilities:
                OLD 134TH (“Stand Up and Bless the Lord”)
                ST. THOMAS (“I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord”)

I prefer Burl Red’s STEVENS tune 6.6.8.6.6 (with repeated final line), but it appears in few hymnals and the copyright holder Generic Music is out of business.

Hymn for Streamed Worship


Hymn for Streamed Worship
8.7.8.7 D *

In our homes, we meet to worship,
far away from sacred space.
By the Spirit, Christ is with us,
making this a holy place.
In these days of social distance,
we are called to meet apart.
Still we pray for one another,
hold each other in our heart.

If this time indeed is holy,
we must keep it truly so.
Even in our isolation,
God’s rich blessings overflow.
We avoid the world’s distractions,
set our minds on things above:
Patience, kindness, goodness, mercy,
faith, joy, peace, abiding love.

R. G. Huff – 03/17/2020

* - Suggested Tunes:
HYFRYDOL (“Praise the Lord! Ye Heavens…”)
HOLY MANNA (“Brethren, We Have Met…”)
BEECHER (“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”)
There are many 8.7.8.7 D tunes to choose from!

Hymnlines - Hemlines: Get it?! :)

Hymnlines - Hemlines: Get it?! :)