Again the Lord of Light and Life

(Original lyrics)

1 

Again the Lord of light and life

Awakes the kindling ray,

Dispels the darkness of the night,

And pours increasing day.

2

O what a night was that which wrapt

A guilty world in gloom!

O what a sun, which rose this day

Triumphant from the tomb!

3 

This day be grateful homage paid,

And loud hosannas sung;

Let gladness dwell in every heart,

And praise on every tongue.

4 

Ten thousand thousand lips shall join

To hail this happy morn,

Which scatters blessings from its wings

On nations yet unborn.

 

Author: Anna L. Barbauld 1743-1825

I couldn't find a real good video for this one...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_Uib3byPdk

Abide With Me

 

1

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;

The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;

When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, O abide with me!

2

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;

Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away;

Change and decay in all around I see;

O Thou who changest not, abide with me!

3

I need Thy presence every passing hour;

What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?

Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?

Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me!

4

Hold Thou Thy word before my closing eyes;

Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies;

Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee –

In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!

 

Lyrics: Henry Francis Lyte

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZKi86N_5Xg

A Sunbeam, A Sunbeam

 

1 

Jesus wants me for a sunbeam,

To shine for him each day,

In every way try to please him,

At home, at school, at play.

Chorus:

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,

Jesus wants me for a sunbeam;

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,

I’ll be a sunbeam for him.

2 

Jesus wants me to be loving

And kind to all I see,

Showing how pleasant and happy

His little one may be.

3 

I will ask Jesus to help me

To keep my heart from sin;

Ever reflecting his goodness,

And always shine for him.

4 

I’ll be a sunbeam for Jesus,

I can if I but try,

Serving him moment by moment,

Then live with him on high.

Author: Nellie Talbot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoOLtSJ1oKg

I didn't know there were verses to this song. The chorus is one that we used when I was teaching "Cradle Roll" class at church. I was still in college at the time, and was surprised to learn that there was a class for little babies! The age group was for babies who could sit up -- sometimes still in infant seats -- to the age of 2. At age 2 they were promoted to the NEXT level of Bible study. (Did I ever tell you how laser focused on Bible knowledge the Church of Christ is?) As I recall, the whole class was a series of little songs, some with hand and arm movements. We did the exact same songs, in the exact same order, every Sunday. That was my first introduction to early childhood learning. I don't know if it's a strictly Church of Christ thing or not -- but when I googled "cradle roll", all the videos I found were posted on YouTube by Church of Christ congregations.

I used to think it was a negative thing that going to the Church of Christ was more like going to school than going to worship. However, I see evidence now that 'evangelical' churches are apparently teaching political/cultural indoctrination instead of teaching what's actually in the Bible... 

Well, I'll try to refrain from going into a full-fledged rant here, but if you want to know more, see my book "One Nation Under God", available on Amazon. (Extra points if you recognize the church in the cover photo.)

A Soul Winner for Jesus

1 

I want to be a soul winner

For Jesus ev’ry day;

He does so much for me;

I want to aid the lost sinner

To leave his erring way,

And be from bondage free.

Refrain:

A soul winner for Jesus,

A soul winner for Jesus,

O let me be each day;

A soul winner for Jesus,

A soul winner for Jesus,

He's done so much for me.

2 

I want to be a soul winner

And bring the lost to Christ,

That they His grace may know;

I want to live for Christ ever,

And do His blessed will,

Because He loves me so. [Refrain]

3 

I want to be a soul winner

Till Jesus calls for me,

To lay my burdens down,

I want to hear Him say, Servant,

“You've gathered many sheaves,

Receive a starry crown.” [Refrain]

 

Author: J. W. Ferrill

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBszHRJEJ6k

A Mighty Fortress is Our God

 

1 

A mighty fortress is our God,

a bulwark never failing;

our helper he, amid the flood

of mortal ills prevailing.

For still our ancient foe

does seek to work us woe;

his craft and power are great,

and armed with cruel hate,

on earth is not his equal.

2 

Did we in our own strength confide,

our striving would be losing,

were not the right Man on our side,

the Man of God's own choosing.

You ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is he;

Lord Sabaoth his name,

from age to age the same;

and he must win the battle.

3 

And though this world, with devils filled,

should threaten to undo us,

we will not fear, for God has willed

his truth to triumph through us.

The prince of darkness grim,

we tremble not for him;

his rage we can endure,

for lo! his doom is sure;

one little word shall fell him.

4 

That Word above all earthly powers

no thanks to them abideth;

the Spirit and the gifts are ours

through him who with us sideth.

Let goods and kindred go,

this mortal life also;

the body they may kill:

God's truth abideth still;

his kingdom is forever!

 

Author: Martin Luther

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XUYZoguhEQ

Matthew 12:8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

Mark 2:28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

Luke 6:5 And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.

2 Samuel 22:2 And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;

Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. 

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

A Charge to Keep I Have

1 

A charge to keep I have,

a God to glorify,

a never-dying soul to save,

and fit it for the sky.

2 

To serve the present age,

my calling to fulfill,

O may it all my pow'rs engage

to do my Master's will!

3 

Arm me with watchful care

as in Thy sight to live,

and now Thy servant, Lord, prepare

               a strict account to give!                  

4 

Help me to watch and pray,

and still on Thee rely,

O let me not my trust betray,

but press to realms on high.

 

Author: Charles Wesley

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEFavnaYk28

What I didn't know was that there is an older tradition for this song, apparently specific to the African American community. Here are a couple examples of that version -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs1FFoQB-L4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpgJiXJFh9U

(Learn something new every day.)

He Lives

1

I serve a risen Saviour, He's in the world today

I know that He is living, whatever men may say

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer

And just the time I need Him He's always near

2

In all the world around me I see His loving care

And though my heart grows weary I never will despair

I know that He is leading, through all the stormy blast

The day of His appearing will come at last

3

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian Lift up your voice and sing

Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King

The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find

None other is so loving, so good and kind

REFRAIN

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today

He walks with me and talks with me

Along life's narrow way

He lives, He lives, Salvation to impart.

You ask me how I know He lives?

He lives within my heart

Alfred H. Ackley

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpJfT4_COzY

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling

1 

Love divine, all loves excelling,

joy of heav'n to earth come down,

fix in us Thy humble dwelling;

all Thy faithful mercies crown!

Jesus, Thou art all compassion,

pure, unbounded love Thou art;

visit us with Thy salvation;

enter every trembling heart.

2 

Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit

into every troubled breast!

Let us all in Thee inherit,

let us find the promised rest.

Take away our love of sinning;

Alpha and Omega be;

end of faith, as its beginning,

set our hearts at liberty.

3 

Come, Almighty to deliver;

let us all Thy life receive;

suddenly return and never,

nevermore Thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing,

serve Thee as Thy hosts above;

pray, and praise Thee without ceasing,

glory in Thy perfect love.

4 

Finish then, Thy new creation;

pure and spotless let us be;

let us see Thy great salvation

perfectly restored in Thee.

Changed from glory into glory,

till in heav'n we take our place,

till we cast our crowns before Thee,

lost in wonder, love, and praise.

 

Author: Charles Wesley

Apparently this text has been set to several different tunes. I had to search around a bit to find a video of the hymn being sung to the tune with which I was familiar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0A1m5idLy4

Only In Thee

1

Only in Thee, O Savior mine,

Dwelleth my soul in peace divine,

Peace that the world, though all combine,

Never can take from me.

Pleasures of earth, so seemingly sweet,

Fail at the last my longings to meet;

Only in Thee my bliss is complete,

Only, dear Lord, in Thee!

2 

Only in Thee a radiance bright,

Shines like a beacon in the night,

Guiding my pilgrim bark aright,

Over life’s trackless sea.

Only in Thee, when troubles molest,

When with temptation I am oppressed,

There is a sweet pavilion of rest,

Only, dear Lord, in Thee!

3

Only in Thee, when days are drear,

When neither sun nor stars appear,

Still I can trust and feel no fear,

Sing when I cannot see.

Only in Thee, whatever betide,

All of my need is freely supplied;

There is no help nor helper beside,

Only, dear Lord, in Thee!

4

Only in Thee, dear Savior, slain,

Losing Thy life my own to gain,

Trusting, I’m cleansed from ev’ry stain;

Thou art my only plea.

Only in Thee my heart will delight,

Till in that land where cometh no night

Faith will be lost in heavenly sight,

Only, dear Lord, in Thee!

 

Author: Thomas O. Chisholm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DchCC2ieSLs

Paradise Valley

1 

As I travel thru life, with its trouble and strife,

I've a glorious hope to give cheer on the way;

Soon my toil will be o'er and I'll rest on that shore

Where the night has been turned into day.

Refrain:

Up in the beautiful paradise valley,

By the side of the river of life,

Up in the valley, the wonderful valley,

We'll be free from all pain and all strife;

There we shall live in the rose-tinted garden

'Neath the shade of the evergreen tree,

How I long for the paradise valley,

Where the beauty of heaven I'll see.

2 

As I roam the hillside, or I list to the tide,

As I pluck the sweet flowers that grow in the dale;

A fair picture is there of a land bright and fair

Where perennial flowers ne'er fail. [Refrain]

3 

Tho your garden is rare, it is naught to compare

With the flowers that bloom in the garden above,

In the midst of it grows Sharon's perfect sweet Rose,

'Tis the wonderful Flower we love. [Refrain]

Author: Noah White

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iRjQ0qyk3U

Savior, Grant Me Rest and Peace

1

Savior, grant me rest and peace, 

Let my troubled dreamings cease; 

With the chiming midnight bell, 

Teach my heart that “all is well.”

2

I would trust my all with Thee, 

All my cares and sorrows flee, 

Till the breaking light shall tell 

Night is past, and “all is well.”

3

I would seek Thy service, Lord, 

Leaning on Thy promiseword; 

Let my hourly labors tell 

I am Thine, and “all is well.” 

Amen.

 

Lucinda M. Beal Bateman (1877)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0PS6fWROT4

Tell It to Jesus

 
1 

Are you weary, are you heavyhearted?

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus;

Are you grieving over joys departed?

Tell it to Jesus alone.

Chorus:

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,

He is a friend that's well known;

You've no other such a friend or brother,

Tell it to Jesus alone.

2 

Do the tears flow down your cheeks unbidden?

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus;

Have you sins that to men's eyes are hidden?

Tell it to Jesus alone.

[Chorus]

3 

Do you fear the gath'ring clouds of sorrow?

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus;

Are you anxious what shall be tomorrow?

Tell it to Jesus alone.

[Chorus]

4 

Are you troubled at the thought of dying?

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus;

For Christ's coming kingdom are you sighing?

Tell it to Jesus alone.

 

Author: Jeremiah Eames Rankin 1828-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0QWDcTwbGg