Voices Found: The Deacon's Voice, VF #21, Phoebe, Deacon, September 3

 

                                     Phoebe, sarabethart.com  

Voices Found: #21, Verse 5

O God of Phoebe and ministers all

May we be joyful in answering your call.

Give us the strength of your Spirit so near

that we may share in your ministry here.

Words: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette

Music: Slane

In five verses "God of the Women" celebrates seven Biblical women  who answered God's call: Sarah, Hannah, Ruth, Mary, Joanna, Susanna, and Phoebe.  Their names are found  in the following texts:

 Genesis 12-23

1 Samuel 1-2

Matthew 28

Mark 14:9 and 16

Luke 8:1-3 and 24

John 20

Acts 1:14, and 2:1-21 and 9:2

Romans 16:1

On September 3 we celebrate Phoebe,  remembered as Mother of Deacons. The Voices Found Committee was delighted to offer Gillette's hymn to highlight Phoebe and other women leaders who are  named throughout the Scriptures.  In the words  "the women who," she  reminds us of  the many faithful un-named women  (such as the widow of Zarephath, the woman searching for a coin, Peter's mother-inlaw)  and those who are never noticed (such as the feeding of the "five thousand men, not counting women and children).

With its simple familiar tune,  the hymn is appropriate for many occasions: to celebrate women leaders ordained or not,   for  new ministries, missionaries, ordinations, Mother's Day,  All Saints Day,  and  daily  services when women are remembered. For the full text and performance suggestions please see:

https://www.churchpublishing.org/products/voicesfound2

 The Leader's Guide to Voices Found