God rest you merry gentlemen

1. God rest ye merry, gentlemen, 
let nothing you dismay, 
remember Christ our Savior 
was born on Christmas Day; 
to save us all from Satan’s power 
when we were gone astray. 
//: O tidings of comfort and joy, 
comfort and joy; 
o tidings of comfort and joy! :// 

2. In Bethlehem, in Israel, 
this blessèd Babe was born, 
and laid within a manger 
upon this blessèd morn; 
the which His mother Mary 
did nothing take in scorn. 
O tidings... 

3. From God our heavenly Father 
a blessèd angel came; 
and unto certain shepherds 
brought tidings of the same; 
how that in Bethlehem was born 
the Son of God by name. 
O tidings... 

4. “Fear not, then,” said the angel, 
“let nothing you afright! 
This day is born a Savior 
of a pure Virgin bright, 
to free all those who trust in Him 
from Satan’s power and might.” 
O tidings... 

5. The shepherds at those tidings 
rejoiced much in mind, 
and left their flocks a-feeding 
in tempest, storm and wind, 
and went to Bethl’em straightaway 
this blessèd Babe to find. 
O tidings... 

6. But when to Bethlehem they came 
where our dear Savior lay, 
they found Him in a manger 
where oxen feed on hay; 
his mother Mary kneeling 
unto the Lord did pray. 
O tidings... 

7. Now to the Lord sing praises 
all you within this place, 
and with true love and brotherhood 
each other now embrace; 
this holy tide of Christmas 
all others doth deface. 
O tidings...

Lift up your hearts

1. “Lift up your hearts!” 
We lift them, Lord, to Thee; 
here at Thy feet none other may we see. 
“Lift up your hearts!” E’en so, with one accord, 
we lift them up, we lift them to the Lord. 

2. Above the level of the former years, 
the mire of sin, the weight of guilty fears, 
the mist of doubt, the blight of love’s decay, 
o Lord of Light, lift all our hearts today! 

3. Above the swamps of subterfuge and shame, 
the deeds, the thoughts, 
that honor may not name, 
the halting tongue that dares not tell the whole, 
o Lord of Truth, lift every Christian soul! 

4. Above the storms that vex this lower state, 
pride, jealousy, and envy, rage, and hate, 
and cold mistrust that holds e’en friends apart, 
o Lord of Love, lift every brother’s heart! 

5. Lift every gift that Thou Thyself hast given; 
low lies the best till lifted up to heaven; 
low lie the bounding heart, the teeming brain, 
till, sent from God, they mount to God again. 

6. Then, as the trumpet call, in after years 
“Lift up your hearts!” rings pealing in our ears. 
Still shall those hearts respond, with full accord: “We lift them up, we lift them to the Lord!”

Where high the heavenly temple stands

1. Where high the heavenly temple stands, 
the house of God not made with hands, 
a great High Priest our nature wears, 
the Guardian of mankind appears. 

2. He Who for men their Surety stood, 
and poured on earth His precious blood, 
pursues in Heaven His mighty plan, 
the Savior and the Friend of man. 

3. Though now ascended up on high, 
he bends on earth a brother’s eye; 
partaker of the human name, 
he knows the frailty of our frame. 

4. Our fellow Sufferer yet retains 
a fellow feeling of our pains: 
and still remembers in the skies 
His tears, His agonies, and cries. 

5. In every pang that rends the heart, 
the Man of Sorrows had a part, 
He sympathizes with our grief 
and to the sufferer sends relief. 

6. With boldness, therefore, at the throne, 
let us make all our sorrows known; 
and ask the aids of heavenly power 
to help us in the evil hour.

Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide

1. Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide, 
for round us falls the eventide; 
nor let Thy Word, that heavenly light, 
for us be ever veiled in night. 


2. In these last days of sore distress 
grant us, dear Lord, true steadfastness 
that pure we keep, till life is spent, 
Thy holy Word and Sacrament. 


3. Lord Jesus, help, Thy Church uphold, 
for we are sluggish, thoughtless, cold. 
Oh, prosper well Thy Word of grace 
and spread its truth in every place! 


4. Oh, keep us in Thy Word, we pray; 
the guile and rage of Satan stay! 
Oh, may Thy mercy never cease! 
Give concord, patience, courage, peace. 


5. O God, how sin's dread works abound! Throughout the earth no rest is found, 
and falsehood's spirit wide has spread, 
and error boldly rears its head. 


6. The haughty spirits, Lord, restrain 
who o'er Thy Church with might would reign 
and always set forth something new, 
devised to change Thy doctrine true. 


7. And since the cause and glory, Lord, 
are Thine, not ours, to us afford 
Thy help and strength and constancy.
With all our heart we trust in Thee. 


8. A trusty weapon is Thy Word, 
Thy Church's buckler, shield and sword. 
Oh, let us in its power confide 
that we may seek no other guide! 


9. Oh, grant that in Thy holy Word 
we here may live and die, dear Lord; 
and when our journey endeth here, 
receive us into glory there.

Lord, keep us steadfast in your word

1. Lord, keep us steadfast in your word,
curb those who by deceit or sword
would wrest the kingdom from your Son
and bring to naught all he has done.


2. Lord Jesus Christ, your power make known,
for you are Lord of lords alone.
Defend your holy church, that we
may sing your praise triumphantly.


3. O Comforter of priceless worth,
send peace and unity on earth,
support us in our final strife
and lead us out of death to life.

My Father, for another night

1. My Father, for another night 
of quiet sleep and rest, 
for all the joy of morning light, 
Thy holy Name be blest. 

2. Now with the newborn day I give 
myself anew to Thee, 
that as Thou willest I may live, 
and what Thou willest be. 

3. Whate’er I do, things great or small, 
whate’er I speak or frame, 
Thy glory may I seek in all, 
do all in Jesus’ Name. 

4. My Father, for His sake, I pray 
Thy child accept and bless; 
and lead me by Thy grace today 
in paths of righteousness. 

Be Thou my Vision

1. Be Thou my Vision, o Lord of my heart, 
naught be all else to me, save that Thou art 
Thou my best Thought by day or by night, 
 waking or sleeping Thy presence my light. 


2.  Riches I heed not, nor man´s empty praise, 
Thou my inheritance, now or always, 
Thou and Thou only first in my heart, 
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art. 


3.  Be Thou my Vision, and Thou my true Word, 
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord; 
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, 
still be my Vision, o Ruler of all!

Hark, the voice of Jesus calling

Annan melodi:

1. Hark, the voice of Jesus calling, 
“Who will go and work today? 
Fields are ripe and harvests waiting, 
who will bear the sheaves away?” 
Long and loud the Master calls us, 
rich reward He offers free; 
who will answer, gladly saying, 
“Here am I, send me, send me”? 

2. If you cannot cross the ocean, 
and the distant lands explore, 
you can find the lost around you, 
you can help them at your door. 
If you cannot give your thousands, 
you can give the widow’s mite; 
what you truly give for Jesus, 
will be precious in His sight. 

3. If you cannot speak like angels, 
if you cannot preach like Paul, 
you can tell the love of Jesus, 
you can say He died for all. 
If you cannot rouse the wicked, 
with the judgment’s dread alarms, 
you can lead the little children 
to the Savior’s waiting arms. 

4. If you cannot be the watchman, 
standing high on Zion’s wall, 
pointing out the path to heaven, 
offering life and peace to all, 
with your prayers and with your bounties 
you can do what heaven demands; 
you can be like faithful Aaron, 
holding up the prophet’s hands. 

5. If among the older people, 
you may not be apt to teach, 
“Feed My lambs,” said Christ, our Shepherd, “place the food within their reach.” 
And it may be that the children 
you have led with trembling hand, 
will be found among your jewels, 
when you reach the better land. 

6. Let none hear you idly saying, 
“There is nothing I can do.” 
While the lost of earth are dying, 
and the Master calls for you. 
Take the task He gives you gladly; 
let His work your pleasure be; 
answer quickly when He calls you, 
“Here am I, send me, send me.”

Deck thyself my soul with gladness

1. Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness, 
leave the gloomy haunts of sadness; 
come into the daylight’s splendor, 
there with joy thy praises render 
unto Christ Whose grace unbounded 
hath this wondrous banquet founded. 
Higher o’er all the heav’ns He reigneth, 
yet to dwell with thee He deigneth. 


2. Hasten as a bride to meet Him 
and with loving reverence greet Him;
for with words of life immortal 
now He knocketh at thy portal. 
Haste to ope the gates before Him, 
saying, while thou dost adore Him, 
suffer, Lord, that I receive Thee, 
and I nevermore will leave Thee. 


3. He who craves a precious treasure 
neither cost nor pain will measure; 
but the priceless gifts of heaven 
God to us hath freely given. 
Though the wealth of earth were offered, 
naught would buy the gifts here offered: 
Christ’s true body, for thee riven, 
and His blood, for thee once given. 


4. Ah, how hungers all my spirit 
for the love I do not merit! 
Oft have I, with sighs fast thronging, 
thought upon this food with longing, 
in the battle well nigh worsted, 
for this cup of life have thirsted, 
for the Friend Who here invites us 
and to God Himself unites us. 


5. In my heart I find ascending 
holy awe, with rapture blending, 
as this mystery I ponder, 
filling all my soul with wonder, 
bearing witness at this hour 
of the greatness of God’s power; 
far beyond all human telling 
is the power within Him dwelling. 


6. Human reason, though it ponder, 
cannot fathom this great wonder 
that Christ’s body e’er remaineth 
though it countless souls sustaineth 
and that He His blood is giving 
with the wine we are receiving. 
These great mysteries unsounded 
are by God alone expounded. 


7. Sun, who all my life dost brighten, 
Light, who dost my soul enlighten; 
Joy the best that any knoweth; 
Fount, whence all my being floweth; 
at Thy feet I cry, my Maker, 
let me be a fit partaker 
of this blessèd food from heaven, 
for our good, Thy glory, given. 


8. Lord, by love and mercy driven 
Thou hast left Thy throne in heaven 
on the cross for me to languish 
and to die in bitter anguish, 
to forego all joy and gladness 
and to shed Thy blood in sadness. 
By this blood redeemed and living, 
Lord, I praise Thee with thanksgiving. 


9. Jesus, Bread of Life, I pray Thee, 
let me gladly here obey Thee. 
By Thy love I am invited, 
be Thy love with love requited; 
from this supper let me measure, 
Lord, how vast and deep love’s treasure. 
Through the gifts Thou here dost give me 
as Thy guest in heaven receive me.

Salvation unto us has come

1. Salvation unto us has come 
by God's free grace and favor; 
good works cannot avert our doom, 
they help and save us never. 
Faith looks to Jesus Christ alone, 
who did for all the world atone; 
he is our one Redeemer. 


2. What God did in His Law demand 
and none to Him could render 
caused wrath and woe on every hand 
for man, the vile offender. 
Our flesh has not those pure desires 
the spirit of the Law requires, 
and lost is our condition. 


3. It was a false, misleading dream 
that God His Law had given 
that sinners should themselves redeem 
and by their works gain heaven. 
The Law is but a mirror bright 
to bring the inbred sin to light 
that lurks within our nature. 


4. From sin our flesh could not abstain, 
sin held its sway unceasing; 
the task was useless and in vain, 
our gilt was e'er increasing. 
None can remove sin's poisoned dart 
or purify our guileful heart,- 
so deep is our corruption. 


5. Yet as the Law must be fulfilled 
or we must die despairing, 
Christ came and hath God's anger stilled, 
our human nature sharing. 
He hath for us the Law obeyed 
and thus the Father's vengeance stayed 
which over us impended. 


6. Since Christ hath full atonement made 
and brought to us salvation, 
each Christian therefore may be glad 
and build on this foundation. 
Thy grace alone, dear Lord, I plead, 
Thy death is now my life indeed, 
for Thou hast paid my ransom. 


7. Let me not doubt, but trust in Thee, 
Thy Word cannot be broken; 
Thy call rings out, "Come unto Me!" 
No falsehood hast Thou spoken. 
Baptized into Thy precious name, 
my faith cannot be put to shame, 
and I shall never perish. 


8. The Law reveals the guilt of sin 
and makes men conscience-stricken; 
the Gospel then doth enter in 
the sinful soul to quicken. 
Come to the cross, trust Christ, and live; 
the Law no peace can ever give, 
no comfort and no blessing. 


9. Faith clings to Jesus' cross alone 
and rests in Him unceasing; 
and by its fruits true faith is known, 
with love and hope increasing. 
Yet faith alone doth justify, 
works serve thy neighbor and supply 
the proof that faith is living. 


10. All blessing, honor, thanks, and praise 
to Father, Son, and Spirit, 
the God that saved us by His grace,- 
all glory to His merit! 
O Triune God in heaven above, 
who hast revealed Thy saving love, 
Thy blessed name be hallowed.

In Christ there is no east and west

1. In Christ there is no East or West, 
in Him no South or North; 
but one great fellowship of love 
throughout the whole wide earth. 


2. In Him shall true hearts everywhere 
their high communion find; 
his service is the golden cord, 
close binding humankind. 


3. Join hands, then, members of the faith, 
whatever your race may be! 
Who serves my Father as His child 
is surely kin to me. 


4. In Christ now meet both East and West, 
in Him meet North and South; 
all Christly souls are one in Him 
throughout the whole wide earth.

God moves in a mysterious way

1. God moves in a mysterious way 
His wonders to perform; 
He plants His footsteps in the sea 
and rides upon the storm. 


2. Deep in unfathomable mines 
of never failing skill 
He treasures up His bright designs 
and works His sovereign will. 


3. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; 
the clouds ye so much dread 
are big with mercy and shall break 
in blessings on your head. 


4. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, 
but trust Him for His grace; 
behind a frowning providence 
He hides a smiling face. 


5. His purposes will ripen fast, 
unfolding every hour; 
the bud may have a bitter taste, 
but sweet will be the flower. 


6. Blind unbelief is sure to err 
and scan His work in vain; 
God is His own interpreter, 
and He will make it plain.

Triune God be Thou our Stay

Triune God, be Thou our Stay, 
when hell's dread pow'rs assail us; 
cleanse us from our sins, we pray, 
nor in our last hour fail us. 
Keep us from the Evil One; 
firm in the faith abiding, 
in Christ our Savior hiding, 
and heartily confiding. 
Let us put God's armor on: 
with all true Christians running 
our heav'nly race and shunning 
the devil's wiles and cunning. 
Amen, Amen, this be done, 
so sing we, Hallelujah!