Voices Found: God rejoices, Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, VF 95

            

                                          

                      A woman's coin retrieved

A coin from the mid 2nd century BCE (Metropolitan Museum of Art from art compilation by Patrick Bringley, All the Beauty in the World)

Voices Found # 95

Refrain:

Good news! it's time to celebrate 

with friends who gather round.

So God rejoices, Jesus said,

when-e'r the lost is found!

A long lost lamb is in the fold

a woman's coin retrieved.

a wayward son is home again,

most lovingly received.

Refrain:

Good news! it's time to celebrate 

with friends who gather round.

So God rejoices, Jesus said,

when-e'r the lost is found!

Let everyone who suffers now

from guilt and deep despair

return unto the house of God,

for love awaits you there.

Refrain:

Good news! it's time to celebrate 

with friends who gather round.

So God rejoices, Jesus said,

when-e'r the lost is found!

Words: Mary Nelson Keithan

Music: Carl Haywood 

Carl Haywood served on the Voices Found hymnal committee as liaison to the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music of the Episcopal Church. He was also service music editor for Lift Every Voice and Sing: An African American Hymnal published by Church Publishing.  

Dr. Haywood, who has sustained a long tenure at Norfolk State University, is a devoted teacher and friend of students and young musicians. A dynamic advocate of NSU, he is Director of Choral Activities and conducts the NSU Concert Choir and the Spartan Chorale. Dr. Haywood frequently serves as a clinician, adjudicator, guest conductor, and lecturer for schools, colleges, and churches throughout the country. He also serves as a National Conductor for the 105 Voices of History, the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Choir. (from the GIA publishing website)