Voices Found

                                                      an illustration by Florence Havergal  Voices Found #98 Lord, Speak to me Lord, speak to me, that I may speak in living echoes of thy tone; as thou has sought, so let me seek thy erring children lost and lone. O lead me Lord, that I may lead the wandering and the wavering feet; O feed me Lord, that I may feed thy hungry ones with manna sweet. O teach me Lord, that I may teach the precious things thou dost impart; and wing my words, that they may reach the hidden depths of many a heart. Words: Frances R. Havergal (1836-1879) Havergal was an English poet  who composed hymns especially for children. The harp, as shown here,  was her emblem.     She described one of her books as a "work to teach Tonic Sol-fa music to teenaged girls as a means to reach them with the gospel of C...

Voices Found # 56 God of flowing light,  God of flowing light, gleaming golden ray, wheeling host at night, dazzling sun by day Refrain: guide us to the joy of your heart's romance. Lead us as we join your lilting dance. God of flowing streams, moist distilling dew source of greening dreams, life made fresh and new Refrain God of flowing flame, fierce refiners fire, burning to reclaim passion's pure desire. Refrain God of flowing breath, living wind that frees soaring over death, pulsing spirit's breeze: Refrain God of Flowing grace, holy love imparts to your arms' embrace, raptured yielding hearts: Refrain Words: Mary Louise Bringle (after Mechtild von Magdeburg, ca. 1210 -ca. 1282) Music: CCW Sparks; arr. Robert A. M/ Ross About a century after Hildegard of Bingen was singing and preaching in the Rhineland, Mechtilde von Magdeburg began writing her revelations of God in Magdeburg, a city in central Germany on the Elbe River. She proclaimed her  visions of Divine Light...

                                   Voices Found #105 O praise be to you Holy Trinity O praise be to you Holy Trinity! To our Mother Great Creator of all things living and of life itself. O angelic chorus sounding forth in joyful praise! O the wonderful silent splendor the holy mysteries Trinity shining brilliance unknown to women or to men. O quickening sparkle dwelling in all! Lifegiving life! Life of all things gloriously created! Words and music Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) Singing translation Lisa Neufeld Thomas Laus Trinitatis is track # 8 on the recording "Echoes of St. Hildegard."                                                               In St. Hildegard's antiphon #17, Laus Trinitati, the  Creatrix is named the first...

  Voices Found #62 O fiery Spirit A litany for Pentecost 1. O fiery Spirit, come burn in us. 2. O sacred breath, come breathe in us. 3. O blazing love, come flame in us. 4. O balm of heart, come heal in us. 5. O fount of courage, come spring in us. 6. O mirror of God, come shine in us. 7. O current of power, come flow in us. 8. O teacher of all, come teach us. 9. O sweet song of praise, come sing in us. 10. O delight of life, come live in us. Words: Jody L. Caldwell, after Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) Music: Kimberly A. Williams Hildegard of Bingen knew God as "Living Light."  From a young age she had startling  visions of the Light which, as a child,  she was afraid to share.  As she grew older, as a nun, she found that she could not heal from illness until she  shared her vision.  Eventually, as  Abbess of the Rupertsburg  Abbey,  set high upon the banks of the Rhine, she produced  a manuscript that included her visions, s...

  Voices Found #80 Bread of Life Refrain: Bread of life, hope of the world, Jesus Christ, our brother:-- feed us now, give us life, lead us-- to one another. As we proclaim your death, as we recall your life,  we remember your promise to return again. Refrain: The bread we break and share was scattered once as grain: just as now it is gathered, make your people one. Refrain: We eat this living bread, we drink the saving cup; sign of hope in our broken world, source of lasting love. Refrain: Hold us in unity, in love for all to see: that the world may believe in you, God of all who live. Refrain: You are the bread of peace, you are the wine of joy, broken now for your people, poured out in endless love. Refrain: Bread of life, hope of the world, Jesus Christ, our brother:-- feed us now, give us life, lead us-- to one another. Words and Music: Bernadette Farrell (B. 1957) About the music Raised in West Yorkshire, Farrell studied at  King's College London , and the  Gu...

The Fifth Sunday of Easter: Isaiah 52:7-10 is appointed for the Fifth Sunday of Easter in the Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church.  "Dance and sing," echoes the spirit of the prophet. Voices Found #110 DANCE AND SING Dance and sing, dance and play, dancing all your cares away, circle round and let your spirit sing a song to Jesus! Dance and sing, dance and pray, moving in a holy way, Filling all the world with praises giving God the glory. Dancing the dance of God, worship and glory, telling the world that Jesus died and lives. Dancing the dance of God, worship and glory, telling the world that Jesus loves them so. Dance of love, dance of peace, dancing gives your soul release, circe round and let your spirit sing a song to Jesus! Dance of life, dance of cheer, dancing lifts away all fear. Filling all the world with praises giving God the glory. Dancing the dance of God, worship and glory, telling the world that Jesus died and lives. Dancing the dance of God, worship ...