Scripture Verse

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. John 14:18

Introduction

portrait
Carolyn W. Gillette
1961–

Words: Ca­ro­lyn W. Gil­lette, 2002. This hymn was com­mis­sioned by Pres­by­te­ri­an Dis­as­ter As­sist­ance, Pres­by­te­ri­an Church (U.S.A.) for the con­gre­ga­tion­al re­source Out of the Depths: Voic­es of the Pres­by­te­ri­an Faith Com­mun­i­ty at Work Af­ter Sep­tem­ber 11, in mem­o­ry of the ter­ror­ist at­tacks of Sep­tem­ber 11, 2001.

Music: In Ba­bi­lo­ne in Oude en nieuwe Hol­lantse Boer­en­li­ties en Con­tra­dans­eu (Old and New Dutch Pea­sant Songs and Coun­try Danc­es), cir­ca 1710. Ar­ranged by Ju­li­us E. Rönt­gen, 1906 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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Julius E. Röntgen
1855–1932

Lyrics

God, we’ve known such grief and anger
As we’ve heard your people cry.
We have asked you, How much longer?
We have sadly wondered, Why?
In this world of so much suffering,
May we hear your word anew:
I will never leave you orphaned;
I will not abandon you.

By your grace comes resurrection;
By your love, you cast out fear.
You give strength and sure direction
As we seek to serve you here.
You give comfort to the grieving,
And you bless the ones who mourn.
May we trust in you, believing
Out of chaos, hope is born.

Hope is ours for, God, you love us!
You have claimed us by your grace.
And through Jesus, you have called us
To bring hope to every place.
In each rescue worker’s caring,
In each faithful volunteer,
In each Christian’s love and sharing,
God, we glimpse your kingdom here.