I've probably blogged about this before, but oh well. This has been my favorite hymn since I was very young (like, kindergarten or so). Whenever we would have hymn requests, I would request this hymn without fail or hesitation.
I tried to find a good version of it on youtube for you to listen to, but it is difficult. I picked the two best ones. One of them is slowish and has interesting pictures, and the other is a little faster, but there are birds chirping the whole time.
The tune is The Ash Grove, and the lyrics are "Sent Forth By God's Blessing." It isn't in a ton of hymnals. When I was little we went to a Lutheran Church, so it was for sure in whatever hymnal we used there. This past weekend we visited a Mennonite Church, and they had it in their hymnal. But most other places (yes, I check every time) don't have it. For shame. Some hymnals will have "Let All Things Now Living," which has the same tune...and is a fine song, but there's just something about "Sent Forth..." that I like a whole lot more.
So. Here are the two youtube renditions of the tune, and the lyrics in between. Enjoy.
PS....fact: This is the tune we used for our recessional at our wedding. We printed the lyrics in the bulletin because of how relevant they are to our lives.
1.
Sent forth by God's blessing,
our true faith confessing,
the people of God from this dwelling take leave.
The supper is ended.
Oh, now be extended
the fruits of this service in all who believe.
The fruit of Christ's teaching,
receptive souls reaching,
shall blossom in action for God and for all.
His grace did invite us,
his love shall unite us
to work for God's kingdom and answer his call.
2.
With praise and thanksgiving
to God ever-living
the tasks of our everyday life we will face.
Our faith ever sharing,
in love ever caring,
embracing the children of each tribe and race.
With your feast you feed us,
with your light now lead us,
unite us as one in this life that we share.
Then may all the living
with praise and thanksgiving
give honor to Christ and his name that we bear.
#478 in Hymnal: A Worship Book
Words: Omer Westendorf, People's Mass Book, 1964, alt.
Text copyright ©1964 World Library Publications, Inc.
Tune: Welsh folk melody; harmonized by Gerald H. Knight
Harmonization copyright © The Royal School of Church Music
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2 comments:
I can picture your Grandma at the organ (when I hear an organ, she is always who I expect to be playing it) and Pastor Heck in the pulpit singing this hymn in my minds eye. Such a great hymn! I remember thinking at your wedding that it was a very fitting recessional.
Jess
:)
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