To Be a Doer of the Word

Here are hymn lyrics by Rev. Thomas Cary Kinder set to the hymn tune: Tallis’ Canon (composed by Thomas Tallis).  The lyrics are a reflection on James 1:17-27 and were written to be used in Sunday morning worship at the United Church of Strafford, VT on September 2nd, 2018.

You  can also find the music and lyrics here formatted to print as a bulletin insert

TOM REQUESTS THAT YOU CREDIT HIM AND THAT YOU LET HIM KNOW WHEN YOU USE IT AT: rev.thomas.cary.kinder@gmail.com

To Be a Doer of the Word (L.M. Tallis’ Canon)
text: James 1:17-27

To be a doer of the word

We need to have attuned and heard,

Let our God-given Spirit speak,

Whose truth empowers and guides the meek.

The living word shows wrong and right

By laws of liberty and light,

The greatest law: love undefiled

That feeds and frees the poorest child.

As doers of the word of God

We see our selves and world as flawed.

With Christ-like love we seek to heal,

Transforming all, God’s realm made real.

We need to dare to pray and sing

For revolution love will bring,

Then do that word to change earth’s fate

By changing heart and church and state.

The miracles the earth now needs

Will flow through us: God’s word; our deeds.

Trust higher power, gifts from above:

No force is greater than this love.

© Rev. Thomas Cary Kinder, 2018

Rev. Kinder  has served as the pastor of the United Church of Strafford, VT, United Church of Christ.  Prior to that he served as interim Minister in Bradford, VT and settled pastor for 17 years in Thetford, VT.