Hymns

An Invitation to a Homecoming

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
Greg Asimakoupoulos with Bill and Gloria Gaither in 2008

They call us to come home and sing
because they know the King of Kings
is coming for His family.
Oh, what a happy day!

Yes, Heaven is the Gaithers’ theme
where saints and angels live our dream
of gathering around the throne
and worshiping the Lamb.

There is something about that Name
of One who didn’t die in vain,
but conquered death redeeming grief.
Because He lives, we sing!

A Homecoming’s both now and then
to blend our voices once again
creating something beautiful.
So, let’s just praise the Lord!

* I wrote this poem especially for an All-Gaither Hymn Sing I was asked to lead at Cristwood Park, a faith-based senior adult community in suburban Seattle. I dedicate it to Bill and Gloria Gaither who have been a source of inspiration for millions (including me) over the past half century. During my dad’s battle with bone cancer, I would often sit with him and watch Gaither music videos holding his hand. Their heartfelt music was a source of inspiration.

I attended a Gaither Homecoming Gospel Sing with my mom a few months before my father died in 2008. The above photo was taken on that occasion at the Tacoma Dome where we were extended a backstage pass to join the Gaithers and their team for dinner prior to the concert. It was an experience I will never forget.

How Sweet the Sound!

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
This month marks the 250th anniversary of Amazing Grace

How sweet the sound!
Amazing Grace
played on a piper’s bag.
The haunting drone enveloped me with peace.
A tune I love reminded me
that lost souls can be found
and those we lose to death find faith’s release.

John Newton knew this truth first hand.
By grace his life was saved.
A reprobate became a parish priest.
Through many dangers toils and snares,
‘twas grace that helped him see
that all are objects of God’s love…
the greatest to the least.

This month marks the 250th anniversary of the most-loved hymn of all time. I was grateful for Neil Hubbard’s rendition of Amazing Grace at a memorial service I recently conducted. Truly amazing!


May Your Prophets Find the Courage

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
New hymn lyrics for Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observance

May Your prophets find the courage
to heed Your call
as they strive to climb a mountain
burdened for all.
Help them dream a King-size vision
of a land without division
focused on a holy mission
where tyrants fall.

May Your prophets speak out boldly
hearing Your voice.
Help them stand up for those victims
denied a choice.
Much like Moses and like Martin,
use Your prophets as they pardon
those enslaved and thus disheartened
so they’ll rejoice.

May Your prophets stand on prophets’
shoulders of old,
high above reproach or scandal
grasping for gold.
Help them to make plain Your passion
even when it seems old-fashioned
for the poor who have no stanchion
out in the cold.

*This hymn text can be sung to the tune Ar Hyd Y Nos (All Through the Night)

A New Thanksgiving Hymn

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
The lyrics of this new hymn invite the grateful worshiper to lift his hands in praise

With gratitude
we raise our hands toward Heaven
in praise and worship of the God we serve.
We have been blessed
with mercies beyond number.
God’s faithfulness exceeds what we deserve.
With hands held high,
we reach to One who loves us
much like a child who longs to be embraced.

With gratitude
we raise our hands toward Heaven
convinced our world is governed by God’s plan.
When violence
disrupts the peace we pray for,
when prejudice and fear divide our land,
with hands held high
submitting to God’s purpose,
we gratefully declare that God is love.

With gratitude
we raise our hands toward Heaven
acknowledging the One who’s in control.
We humbly bow
before our Lord and Maker
relinquishing our bodies, minds and souls.
With hands held high, we gratefully surrender
to One who works all things for God’s own good.

Suggested tune: FINLANDIA

A Poetic Month

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
April is National Poetry Month

April is that awesome month
when dogwoods start to bark.
It’s when our Uncle Sam collects his due.
It is the time we hear “play ball”
from umps behind the plate.
It is the month that poets write haiku.

It is the month we celebrate
that winter’s finally gone.
We marvel at spring flowers in full bloom.
And it’s the month we recognize
our planet on Earth Day
as butterflies emerge from their cocoons.

But most of all this month is known
for what God did for us
upon a cross and in an empty grave…
a Holy Week that culminates
in resurrection praise
as Christians ‘round the world sing Jesus Saves.

And so I aim to “seize the day”
to live what I profess
embracing hope when darkness hides the sun.
This month invites us to believe
there’s more than meets the eye
with growing clues that new life has begun.