A Time of Silence

There Is a Time for Silence ST. CHRISTOPHER 7.6.8.6.8.6.8.6 ("Beneath the Cross of Jesus") There is a time for silence, a time to listen well, a time to hear the painful stories others have to tell. O God, may we who love to talk now hear the rage and fear, and may we learn from neighbors who have long been silenced here. There is a time for asking, a time to pause and pray, there is a time to hear the prophets speak of God's new day, to hear the words of Jesus who taught welcome, truth and love, to hear the Spirit speaking through the ones who shout, "Enough!" There's time for humble study — for reading and for thought. God, may we learn from others of the justice they have sought, And may we learn from those who bravely stand against the hate, So when we're called to justice, we, your church, won't hesitate. There's time for good reflection, to ponder who we've been, to think how our own attitudes have paved the way for sin, to listen to the ones we fear — to folks we may resent — to hear of Jesus' call to love — and humbly to repent. And there's a time to work now — to boldly say their names, to protest and to organize, to advocate for change, to use our voices and to stand with those who are oppressed. As we seek justice, hand in hand, Lord, may your world be blessed. Biblical References: Ecclesiastes 3:7; Isaiah 58; Luke 10:25-37 Tune: Frederick Charles Maker, 1881 ("Beneath the Cross of Jesus") (MIDI) Text: Copyright © 2020 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved. Included in God's World is Changing: New Hymns for Advent and Christmas (2022). Email: carolynshymns@gmail.com New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com/ Carolyn gives permission for free use of this hymn. Words and music (ST. CHRISTOPHER) (47K PDF file) Words and music by Phil Hart (43K PDF file) See also: "A Brief Statement of Faith" of the Presbyterian Church (USA): "...the Spirit gives us courage, to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace." A beautiful music video of "There Is a Time for Silence" by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, sung by Phil Hart, with street art from Columbus, Ohio. This video was filmed by Elisa Leahy for Columbus Mennonite Church. Phil Hart's songwriting web site: pahart.com. Art by Francesca Miller, Donna Alena Hrabcakova, Neisha Holloway, Samantha Farkas, Charley Frances Holmes, Schukay Artistry, Laurie Clements, and Wil Wong Yee.