Water of Life (David Haas)

Chorus

Water of Life, Jesus our Light,
Journey from death to new life.

1. Fountain of light, new sight for the blind.
We come to the water, we come now to see.

2. Fountain of compassion, freedom from fear.
We come to the water, we come to find peace.

3.Fountain of mercy, bind all our wounds.
We come to the water, we come to be healed.

4. Fountain of our future, seek out our pain.
We come to the water, we come to be whole.

5. Fountain of new life, seek out our thirst.
We come to the water, we come now to live.

6. Fountain of mission, calling our name.
We come to water, we come now to serve.

Composer: David Haas (1987)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series. 

Father Welcomes All His Children

Refrain:

Father welcomes all his children
to his family through his Son.
Father giving his salvation,
life forever has been won.

1. Little children, come to me,
for my kingdom is of these;
life and love I have to give,
mercy for your sin. (Refrain)

2. In the water, in the word,
in his promise be assured:
those who are baptised and believe
shall be born again. (Refrain)

3. Let us daily die to sin,
let us daily rise with him —
walk in the love of Christ our Lord,
live in the peace of God. (Refrain)

Composer: Robin Mann (b. 1949)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) series.

We Know That Christ Is Raised And Dies No More

1. We know that Christ is raised and dies no more.
Embraced by death, he broke its fearful hold,
and our despair he turned to blazing joy. Alleluia!

2. We share by water in his saving death.
Reborn, we share with him an Easter life
as living members of our Savior Christ. Alleluia!

3. The God of splendor clothes the Son with life.
The Spirit's fission shakes the church of God.
Baptized, we live with God the Three-in-One. Alleluia!

4. A new creation comes to life and grows
as Christ's new body takes on flesh and blood.
The universe, restored and whole, will sing: Alleluia!

Text: John Brownlow Geyer (b. 1932)
Tune: ENGELBERG 10.10.10 + Alleluias, by Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924)

Songs of Thankfulness and Praise

Songs of thankfulness and praise,
Jesus, Lord, to Thee we raise,
Manifested by the star
To the sages from afar,
Branch of royal David's stem,
In Thy birth at Bethlehem.
Anthems be to Thee addressed
God in man made manifest.

Manifest at Jordan's stream,
Prophet, Priest, and King supreme,
And at Cana, Wedding-guest,
In Thy Godhead manifest;
Manifest in power divine,
Changing water into wine.
Anthems be to Thee addressed
God in man made manifest.

Manifest in making whole
Palsied limbs and fainting soul;
Manifest in valiant fight,
Quelling all the devil's might;
Manifest in gracious will,
Ever bringing good from ill.
Anthems be to Thee addressed,
God in man made manifest.

Sun and moon shall darkened be,
Stars shall fall, the heavens shall flee;
Christ will then like lightning shine,
All will see His glorious sign;
All will then the trumpet hear,
All will see the Judge appear;
Thou by all wilt be confessed,
God in man made manifest.

Grant us grace to see Thee, Lord,
Mirrored in Thy holy Word;
May we imitate Thee now
And be pure as pure art Thou
That we like to Thee may be
At Thy great Epiphany
And may praise Thee, ever blest,
God in man made manifest.

Paraphrase of 1 Peter 1:20

Words: Christopher Wordsworth (1862)
Music: SALZBURG 77.77.D (Jakob Hintze, 1622-1702)

Wash, O God, Our Sons and Daughters

Wash, O God, our sons and daughters,
where your cleansing waters flow.
Number them among your people;
bless as Christ blessed long ago.
Weave them garments bright and sparkling;
compass them with love and light
Fill, anoint them; send your Spirit,
holy dove and heart’s delight.

We who bring them long for nurture;
by your milk may we be fed.
Let us join your feast, partaking
cup of blessing, living bread.
God, renew us, guide our footsteps;
free from sin and all its snares,
one with Christ in living, dying,
by your Spirit, children, heirs.

O how deep your holy wisdom!
Unimagined, all your ways!
To your name be glory, honor!
With our lives we worship, praise!
We your people stand before you,
water washed and Spirit born.
By your grace, our lives we offer.
Recreate us; God, transform!

Words: Ruth Duck (1987)
Tune: BEACH SPRING 87.87D

Spirit Blowing Through Creation (Marty Haugen)

Spirit blowing through creation,
spirit burning in the sky,
let the hope of your salvation fill our eyes;
God of splendor, God of glory,
You who light the stars above,
all the heavens tell the story of your love.

As you move upon the waters,
As you ride upon the wind,
Move us all, your sons and daughters deep within;
As you shaped the hills and mountains,
Formed the land and filled the deep,
Let your hand renew and waken all who sleep.

Refrain:

Spirit renewing the earth,
renewing the hearts of all people;
burn in the weary souls, blow through the silent lips,
come now awake us, Spirit of God.

Love that sends the rivers dancing,
love that waters all that lives,
love that heals and holds and rouses and forgives.
You are food for all creatures,
You are hunger in the soul,
in Your hands the brokenhearted are made whole.

All the creatures you have fashioned,
All that live and breathe in you,
Find their hope in your compassion, strong and true;
You, O Spirit of salvation,
You alone, beneath, above,
Come, renew your whole creation in your love (Refrain)

Composer: Marty Haugen (1987)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Catholic series.

Shall We Gather At The River (Robert Lowry)

1. Shall we gather at the river,
Where bright angel feet have trod,
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the throne of God?

Refrain:

Yes, we’ll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.

On the margin of the river,
Washing up its silver spray,
We will talk and worship ever,
All the happy golden day. (Refrain)

Ere we reach the shining river,
Lay we every burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver,
And provide a robe and crown. (Refrain)

At the smiling of the river,
Mirror of the Savior’s face,
Saints, whom death will never sever,
Lift their songs of saving grace. (Refrain)

Soon we’ll reach the silver river,
Soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peace. (Refrain)

Background historical information from Wikipedia

Composer: Robert Lowry (1864)
Tune: HANSON PLACE 8.7.8.7 with refrain

Take Me To The Water (USA)

Take me to the water
Take me to the water
Take me to the water
To be baptized

None but the righteous
None but the righteous
None but the righteous
Shall be saved

So take me to the water
Take me to the water
Take me to the water
To be, to be baptized

I'm going back home, going back home
Gonna stay here no longer
I'm going back home, going back home
To be baptized

Traditional African American Spiritual

Wade in the Water (USA)

Refrain:

Wade in the water
Wade in the water, children,
Wade in the water
God's a-going to trouble the water

See that host all dressed in white
God's a-going to trouble the water
The leader looks like the Israelite
God's a-going to trouble the water (Refrain)

See that band all dressed in red
God's a-going to trouble the water
Looks like the band that Moses led
God's a-going to trouble the water (Refrain)

Look over yonder, what do you see?
God's a-going to trouble the water
The Holy Ghost a-coming on me
God's a-going to trouble the water (Refrain)

If you don't believe I've been redeemed
God's a-going to trouble the water
Just follow me down to the Jordan's stream
God's a-going to trouble the water (Refrain)

Traditional African American Spiritual

On Jordan's Bank (England)

On Jordan’s bank the Baptist’s cry
Announces that the Lord is nigh;
Come, then, and hearken, for he brings
Glad tidings from the King of kings!

Then cleansed be every breast from sin;
Make straight the way for God within;
Prepare we in our hearts a home,
Where such a mighty Guest may come.

For Thou art our Salvation, Lord,
Our Refuge, and our great Reward.
Without Thy grace our souls must fade
And wither like a flower decayed.

Stretch forth Thine hand, to heal our sore,
And make us rise and fall no more;
Once more upon Thy people shine,
And fill the world with love divine.

To Him Who left the throne of Heaven
To save mankind, all praise be given;
Like praise be to the Father done,
And Holy Spirit, Three in One.

Words: Jordanis oras praevia, adapted by Charles Coffin (1676-1749), translated by John Chandler (1806-1876)

Music: WINCHESTER NEW LM, Melody from Musicalishes Handbuch (1690), harm. William Henry Monk (1823-1899)