Presbyterian pastor pens ‘O God, You Have the Power’ to help celebrate the Season of Creation
The latest hymn from the Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette is set to the tune of ‘The Church’s One Foundation’
LOUISVILLE — Ahead of the Season of Creation, Presbyterian hymnwriter the Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette has written “O God, You Have the Power,” set to the tune of AURELIA. The biblical reference is Ezekiel 47:1-12. Permission is given for free use of the hymn, including in online services.
“O God, You Have the Power” is one of 24 Creation care hymns Gillette has written. The tune for this new hymn, AURELIA, was written by Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1810-1876), and is commonly sung with the familiar hymn "The Church's One Foundation." The new hymn text was formatted with music by Dr. Christopher Gage, Music Director of Overbrook Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia and an adjunct assistant professor of music theory in the School of Music at the University of Delaware.
O God, You Have the Power
AURELIA 7.6.7.6 D ("The Church's One Foundation")
O God, you have the power to bring back what is yours —
to bring life’s joy and wonder to toxic, lifeless shores.
Where earth has been depleted, where nothing seems to grow,
we’ve seen you cleanse and nurture till blessings overflow.
Ezekiel had a vision of hopeful signs like these —
of waters bringing healing — and fish and plants and trees.
He dreamed of Living Water that flowed at your command —
that spread out like a river upon your thirsty land.
When we pollute your rivers and drain your wetlands dry,
when we cause harm to waters, we see creation cry.
And yet Ezekiel’s vision reminds us once again:
Your will is restoration. Your waters sing, “Amen!”
O God, in your creation, we see your strength and care.
Clean water is a blessing! May this become our prayer:
Your will is restoration. You seek to make things new.
Give us new dedication to heal the earth with you.
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