Heralds of Christ (NATIONAL HYMN)

1. Heralds of Christ, who bear the King's commands,
immortal tidings in your mortal hands,
pass on and carry swift the news you bring;
make straight, make straight the highway of the King.

2. Through desert ways, dark fen, and deep morass,
through jungles, sluggish seas, and mountain pass,
build now the road, and falter not, nor stay;
prepare across the earth the King's highway.

3. Lord, give us faith and strength the road to build,
to see the promise of the day fulfilled,
when war shall be no more, and strife shall cease
upon the highway of the Prince of Peace.

Text: Laura S. Copenhaver (1868-1941)
Tune: NATIONAL HYMN, 10 10.10 10

Here at the Table of Love (Dana Mangel)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) series.  

One Thing I Ask (Hangad)

One thing I ask:
To dwell in the house of the Lord all my days,
To gaze on His goodness
And walk in His ways.

He will shelter me;
He will be my strength.
In the triumph that He brings me
I can hold my head high.

In His house I shall lift up my voice.
I will sing, I will praise the Lord.

Setting: Hangad (Philippines)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

They'll know we are Christians

1. 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

Refrain:

And they'll know we are Christians
By our love, By our love
Yes, they'll know we are Christians
By our love

2. 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

3. 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

3. 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

Composer: Peter Scholtes (1966)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.   

Psalm 133 O How Good (Carey Landry)

Paraphrase of Psalm 133

Composer: Carey Landry

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series. 

Giêsu Nguồn Sáng (Bernadette Farrell)

1. Người là ánh sáng chúng con hằng mong chờ.
Người là chân lý chúng con hằng mơ.
Được làm con Chúa thông dự dân Thánh Người,
và thành đuốc soi trần gian.

ĐK: 

Giêsu nguồn sáng! 
bừng soi đêm tối, và nung nấu tâm hồn. 
Giêsu nguồn sáng! 
Chúng con sum vầy, nguyện xin rạng soi.

2. Trần gian mê đắm, Chúa ban niềm hy vọng.
Ngàn dân khao khát. Chúa ban bình an.
Một lời Chúa phán, muôn người được cứu độ
và thành tiếng nói truyền lan.

3. Người là Bánh Thánh, dưỡng nuôi người cơ bần.
Người là nước mát thế nhân đợi trông.
Đoàn con tha thiết, dâng trọn cuộc sống này,
cùng người nuôi sống trần gian.

4. Người, nơi nương náu giúp bao người không nhà.
Người, làn hơi ấm sưởi ai lạnh băng.
Đoàn con ao ước giang vòng tay đón mời,
cùng nhau nâng đỡ ủi an.

5. Này bao ơn phúc, chúng con đây mỗi người.
Hằng luôn khao khát kết hiệp cùng nhau.
Nguyện làm tôi tớ, giúp người đang khốn cùng,
cầu cho nước Chúa tràn lan.

See also the original English version: Christ, be our light (Bernadette Farrell)

Composer: Bernadette Farrell (1994)

Lời Việt: Phan Hoàng

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

求主作我光 (Bernadette Farrell)

1. 期盼亮光，黑暗中等待，
我們回轉，真理尋索；
求主納作祢聖潔子民​：
世人看見之光。

(副歌)

基督真光，
照徹我心，驅散諸幽暗。
基督真光，
今來照耀屬祢教會。

2. 期盼平安，世局滿憂疑，
絕望困境怎得希望？
惟主話語展大能拯救，​
差我傳主之聲！

3. 期盼糧食，多處有飢民，
疲乏、乾涸，渴慕糧、水；
如餅擘開，主用​以分享，
藉我使人飽足。

4. 期盼居所，多人無溫暖，
獨自流浪，家在何處？
願主用我作蔭蔽居所​：
活石建築之宮。

5. 主賜我眾豐盛的恩賜，
多人渴望心有所屬！
願主使用彼此作僕人，
使​主國度來臨。

See also the original English version: Christ, be our light (Bernadette Farrell)

Composer: Bernadette Farrell (1994)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Gather the People (Dan Schutte)

Refrain:

Gather the people, enter the feast,
all are invited, the greatest and least.
The banquet is ready, now to be shared.
Join in the heavenly feast that God has prepared.

1. Around this table we dine as kin,
beloved family of God.
We share the body of Christ the Lord.
Here we become what we eat. (Refrain)

2. Around this table God's bounty falls
on all who hunger and thirst.
We drink the fullness of Christ the Lord,
so we become what we eat. (Refrain)

3. Around this table our hearts rejoice
in love that’s stronger than death.
We’ll rise in glory with Christ the Lord,
then we become what we eat. (Refrain)

Composer: Dan Schutte (2004)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.   

Go Now, You Are Sent Forth

1. Go now, you are sent forth
to live what you proclaim;
To show the world you follow Christ
in fact, not just in name.

2. Go now, you are sent forth
To walk this troubled earth,
To share your faith with all we meet
And prove your real worth.

3. Go now, you are sent forth
As God's ambassador;
By serving God in those we meet
We love God more and more.

4. Go now, you are sent forth
And Christ goes with you too.
Today you help God's kingdom come
In everything you do.

Composer: Leo Watt (1969)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

When I Needed A Neighbour (Sydney Carter)

1.  When I needed a neighbour
Were you there, were you there?
When I needed a neighbour
Were you there?
And the creed and the colour
And the name won't matter
Were you there?

2.  I was hungry and thirsty
Were you there, were you there?
I was hungry and thirsty
Were you there?
And the creed and the colour
And the name won't matter
Were you there?

3. I was cold, I was naked
Were you there, were you there?
I was cold, I was naked
Were you there?
And the creed and the colour
And the name won't matter
Were you there?

4.  When I needed a shelter
Were you there, were you there?
When I needed a shelter
Were you there?
And the creed and the colour
And the name won't matter
Were you there?

5.  When I needed a healer
Were you there, were you there?
When I needed a healer
Were you there?
And the creed and the colour
And the name won't matter
Were you there?

6.
Wherever you travel
I'll be there, I'll be there.
Wherever you travel
I'll be there.
And the creed and the colour
And the name won't matter
I'll be there.

Composer: Sydney Carter (1915-2004)

O For A World

1. O for a world where everyone
Respects each other's ways,
Where love is lived and all is done
With justice and with praise.

2. O for a world where goods are shared
And misery relieved,
Where truth is spoken, children spared,
Equality achieved.

3. We welcome one world family
And struggle with each choice
That opens us to unity
And gives our vision voice.

4. The poor are rich, the weak are strong,
The foolish ones are wise.
Tell all who mourn; outcasts belong,
Who perishes will rise.

5. O for a world preparing for
God's glorious reign of peace,
Where time and tears will be no more,
And all but love will cease.

Text: Miriam Therese Winter (1987)
Tune: AZMON CM

All Are Welcome (Let Us Build A House) [Marty Haugen]

Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live,
a place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace;
here the love of Christ shall end divisions:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where prophets speak, and words are strong and true,
where all God’s children dare to seek to dream God’s reign anew.
Here the cross shall stand as witness and as symbol of God’s grace;
here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where love is found in water, wine, and wheat:
a banquet hall on holy ground where peace and justice meet.
Here the love of God, through Jesus, is revealed in time and space;
as we share in Christ the feast that free us:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone
to heal and strengthen, serve and teach, and live the Word they’ve known.
Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God’s face;
let us bring an end to fear and danger:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where all are named, their songs and visions heard
and loved and treasured, taught and claimed as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace,
let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:
All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.

Composer: Marty Haugen (1994)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Gather Us In (Marty Haugen)

Here in this place, new light is streaming
now is the darkness vanished away,
see, in this space, our fears and our dreamings,
brought here to you in the light of this day.

Gather us in the lost and forsaken
gather us in the blind and the lame;
call to us now, and we shall awaken
we shall arise at the sound of our name.

We are the young – our lives are a mystery
we are the old – who yearns for your face.
we have been sung throughout all of history
called to be light to the whole human race.

Gather us in the rich and the haughty
gather us in the proud and the strong
give us a heart so meek and so lowly
give us the courage to enter the song.

Here we will take the wine and the water
here we will take the bread of new birth
here you shall call your sons and your daughters
call us anew to be salt of the earth.

Give us to drink the wine of compassion
give us to eat the bread that is you
nourish us well and teach us to fashion
lives that are holy and hearts that are true.

Composer: Marty Haugen (1982)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Christ Be Our Light (Bernadette Farrell)

Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
light for the world to see.

Refrain

Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.

Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has power to save us.
Make us your living voice.

Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
shared until all are fed.

Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering others,
walls made of living stone.

Many the gifts, many the people,
many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
making your kingdom come.

Composer: Bernadette Farrell (1994)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Blessed Jesus, At Thy Word

1. Blessed Jesus, at thy word
we are gathered all to hear thee;
let our hearts and souls be stirred
now to seek and love and fear thee,
by thy teachings sweet and holy,
drawn from earth to love thee soley.

2. All our knowledge, sense, and sight
lie in deepest darkness shrouded,
till thy spirit breaks our night
with the beams of truth unclouded.
Thou alone to God canst win us;
thou must work all good within us.

3. Glorious Lord, thyself impart!
Light of light, from God proceeding,
open thou our ears and heart;
help us by thy spirit's pleading;
hear the cry thy people raises;
hear, and bless our prayers and praises.

Text: Tobias Clausnitzer (1663), trans. Catherine Winkworth (1858)
Tune: LIEBSTER JESU, 78.78.88, by Johann R. Ahle (1664)

God Is Here

God is here! As we your people meet to offer praise and prayer,
May we find in fuller measure what it is in Christ we share.
Here, as in the world around us, all our varied skills and arts
Wait the coming of the Spirit into open minds and hearts.

Here are symbols to remind us of our lifelong need of grace;
Here are table, font, and pulpit, here the cross has central place.
Here in honesty of preaching, here in silence, as in speech,
Here in newness and renewal, God the Spirit comes to each.

Here our children find a welcome in the shepherd's flock and fold;
Here as bread and wine are taken, Christ sustains us as of old.
Here the servants of the Servant seek in worship to explore
What it means in daily living to believe and to adore.

Lord of all, of church and kingdom, in an age of change and doubt,
Keep us faithful to the gospel, help us work your purpose out.
Here, in this day's dedication, all we have to give, receive;
We, who cannot live without you, we adore you! We believe!

Text: Fred Pratt Green (1978)
Tune: ABBOTT'S LEIGH 87.87D, by Cyril V. Taylor (1941)

Blest Be The Tie That Binds

Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.

Before our Father's throne
we pour our ardent prayers;
our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
our comforts and our cares.

We share each other's woes,
our mutual burdens bear;
and often for each other flows
the sympathizing tear.

When we asunder part,
it gives us inward pain;
but we shall still be joined in heart,
and hope to meet again.

Text: John Fawcett (1782)
Tune: DENNIS, Meter: SM, by Johann G. Nageli, arr. Lowell Mason (1845)

Lord Whose Love Through Humble Service

Lord, whose love through humble service bore the weight of human need,
who upon the cross, forsaken, offered mercy’s perfect deed:
we, your servants, bring the worship not of voice alone, but heart,
consecrating to your purpose every gift that you impart.

Still your children wander homeless; still the hungry cry for bread;
still the captives long for freedom; still in grief we mourn our dead.
As, O Lord, your deep compassion healed the sick and freed the soul,
use the love your Spirit kindles still to save and make us whole.

As we worship, grant us vision, till your love’s revealing light
in its height and depth and greatness dawns upon our quickened sight,
making known the needs and burdens your compassion bids us bear,
stirring us to tireless striving your abundant life to share.

Called by worship to your service, forth in your dear name we go
to the child, the youth, the aged, love in living deeds to show;
hope and health, good will and comfort, counsel, aid, and peace we give,
that your servants, Lord, in freedom may your mercy know, and live.

Text: Albert F. Bayly (1961)
Tune: BEACH SPRING 87.87 D (attr. to B.F. White, 1844)

Pan De Vida (Bob Hurd)

Bilingual Refrain:

Pan de Vida, cuerpo del Señor,
cup of blessing, blood of Christ the Lord.
At this table the last shall be first.
Poder es servir, porque Dios es amor.

Estribillo

Pan de Vida, cuerpo del Señor,
santa copa, Cristo Redentor.
Su justicia nos convertirá.
Poder es servir, porque Dios es amor.

1. We are the dwelling of God,
fragile and wounded and weak.
We are the body of Christ,
called to be the compassion of God.

(Somos el templo de Dios,
frágiles seres humanos.
Somos el cuerpo de Cristo,
llamados a ser compasivos.)

2. Ustedes me llaman "Señor".
Me inclino a lavarles los pies.
Hagan lo mismo, humildes,
sirviéndose unos a otros.

(You call me Teacher and Lord;
I, who have washed your feet.
So you must do as I do,
so the greatest must become the least.)

3. There is no Jew or Greek;
there is no slave or free;
there is no woman or man;
only heirs of the promise of God.

(No hay esclavos ni libres,
no hay mujeres ni hombres,
sólo aquellos que heredan
el reino que Dios prometió.)

Text: Jn 13:1-5, Gal 3:28-29

Composers: Bob Hurd and Pia Moriarty (1988)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Where Charity And Love Prevail

Where charity and love prevail,
there God is ever found;
Brought here together by Christ’s love,
by love are we thus bound.

With grateful joy and holy fear
God’s charity we learn;
Let us with heart and mind and soul
now love God in return.

Forgive we now each other’s faults
as we our faults confess;
And let us love each other well
in Christian holiness.

Let strife among us be unknown,
let all contention cease;
Be God’s the glory that we seek,
be ours God’s holy peace.

Let us recall that in our midst
dwells God’s begotten Son;
As members of his body joined,
we are in Christ made one.

No race or creed can love exclude,
if honored be God’s name;
Our family embraces all
whose Father is the same.

Text: Ubi Caritas, tr. Omer Westendorf (1961)
Tune: CHRISTIAN LOVE, CM, by Paul Benoit (1961)