Voices Found for Lent: Abiding in the Vine, VF 141

Voices Found #141

Christ the vine and God the gardener
We your branches bearing fruit.

We can bring forth shoots of promise
When our lives in Christ take root.

Christ, the fruit from Jesse springing,
You fulfilled the prophet’s trust.

And you pray that we, your body,
Will fulfill your trust in us.

Words: Edith Sinclair Downing (1922-2016)
Music: Ecce Deus,Alfred V. Fedak

Edith Sinclair Downing's text is based on John 15:1-8, a text appointed for Lent II. This simple song is a great teaching piece for informal congregational worship, especially for family services. The melody with keyboard or guitar accompaniment is highly accessible for communities of all sizes and the AABA structure is easy to memorize.
To involve young musicians you could invite a melody instrumentalist to double the tune.

Downing's poetry brings together Advent and Lent with the image of Christ as "the fruit from Jesse springing," which invites contemplation of Jesus and the fruits of the Spirit. "Christ the Vine" concludes with a prayer that we, your body, will fulfill your trust in us. Here, again, we consider how to bring forth the fruits of our faith as the Body of Christ.

For background and performance suggestions please see The Leader's Guide to Voices Found