Hymns

On Each Continent We Worship

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
A new hymn for World Communion Sunday

On each continent we worship
breaking bread and sharing wine.
We are joined in sweet communion
tasting grace while marking time.
Purchased by Christ’s blood and body,
we’re diverse as we can be.
On this holy day we gather
mindful of our unity.

On each continent we worship
to proclaim Christ Jesus King.
Borders blur as anthems echo
in the lyrics that we sing.
In all corners of Christ’s Kingdom
we proclaim His majesty.
On this holy day we gather
mindful we are family.

On each continent we worship
one in mind and one in heart.
Children of a common Father
each a necessary part
of the whole that God intended
to achieve His Kingdom come.
On this holy day we gather,
mindful that the Church is one.

Tune: Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee

We Cry for Justice

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Uniting Christ followers in a biblical cause

We cry for justice when truth is ignored.
We advocate for the innocent poor.
We pray for mercy and model God’s grace.
We are God’s arms and God’s hands and God’s face.

We cry for justice when it’s been denied.
We stand with victims when they’ve been deprived.
We voice our protest when children are harmed.
We feel God’s anger and sound the alarm.

We cry for justice when crime seems to pay.
We resist leaders who lead us astray.
We fight for answers for those without homes.
We base our values in Scripture alone.

We cry for justice and make it our cause.
We work to override ungodly laws.
We ask each other “What would Jesus do?”
We won’t give up till our mission is through.

*I wrote these words mindful of Emmett Till’s birthday (July 25, 1941). They can be sung to the tune for “Be Thou My Vision.” 

An Advent Prayer

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

New lyrics to an ancient Advent hymn

O come Befriender of the lonely soul
and fill their emptiness until it’s full.
Stand by the grieving as they weep
and walk with them although their path is steep.
Rejoice, rejoice, our Friend who knows our plight
and be to us a candle in the night.

O come Defender of the working poor
and give them what they need (and then some more).
Provide them with the means and way
to give their children toys with which to play.
Rejoice, rejoice, our only sure defense
and comfort those whose burdens are intense.

O come Redeemer of our nation’s wrongs
and fill our hearts with plaintiff, hopeful songs.
Confront the demons that divide
especially hateful prejudice and pride.
Rejoice, rejoice, Redemption’s Child, rejoice
and give all those who worship You one voice.

O come Fulfillment of what God has deemed
and satisfy creation’s deepest dreams.
Accomplish all that love demands
and bring about the peace that You have planned.
Rejoice, rejoice, Fulfiller of God’s heart
as we rejoice and sing “How Great Thou Art.”

tune: O Come, O Come Emmanuel

A Prayer for the President-Elect

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

A new hymn text to a time-honored tune

God, bless our President and those elected
who seek to lead one nation under You.
Give them the grace to lead while serving others
denying self in everything they do.
Grant them the courage to stand up to terror
protecting both the masses and the few.

God, bless our President and bless his family
who recognize the spotlight they now face.
Grant them protection from those who oppose them.
Help them to rest from such a grueling race.
Give them the will to model godly standards
and help them trust in Your amazing grace.

God, bless our President with needed wisdom
as he considers options far and near.
Infuse him with uncanny comprehension
that he might calm us from the things we fear.
Give him the confidence to pray believing
that when he seeks Your face You always hear.

* the above text can be sung to the familiar hymn tune “FINLANDIA”

In Praise of Christmas Carols

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

There’s no reason for silent nights this time of year

I love the carols that we sing. 
They bring joy to my world. 
While shepherds watched their flocks by night, 
the angels praise unfurled.

Oh little town of Bethlehem, 
you heard the first noel. 
It came upon the midnight clear. 
Its lyrics we know well.

I heard the bells one silent night. 
A holy night it was 
“What child is this?” I heard him ask.
“It’s Jesus, Santa Claus!”

The little drummer boy’s convinced.
But Mary did you know 
the holly and the ivy point 
to Christ’s birth long ago?