For the Sake of Christ

Original tune: Onward, Christian Soldiers; Arthur S. Sullivan, 1842-1900.
Philippians 3: 7-14

For the sake of Christ, counting all things loss
That I may know Jesus, suff’rings of the cross
What I did not deserve Christ has won for me.
Counting all things rubbish to be found in Thee

Chorus:
Onward toward the prize to know Christ my Lord
For the worth of Jesus, grace to know him more

That which comes through faith, righteousness of Christ,
That I may attain his resurrection life.
Christ the weight of glory, any means to know
Becoming more like him, grace by faith alone.

Chorus:

Journey through this world, vesting by my king,
May I give up wanting, be Thine offering.
Storing up no treasure on this land to keep
Selling all to invest, fruits of grace to reap.

Chorus:

Be Gracious to Me, O my God

Original Tune: I Sing the Mighty Power of God (Forest Green); Traditional English Melody
Psalm 51

Be gracious to me, O my God, according to Thy love.
O Wash me clean from all my sins and place in me Thy word.
For I was conceived in sin’s home, I cannot hide from Thee.
No good I do will change my plight, Thy grace must transform me.

Our Father is a loving God; He calls us to his home.
Return to him through Jesus Christ, He from Thy righteous throne.
Believe that God has died for you; your sins are crucified.
For Jesus bore our shame and loss; in love, God justified.

O Grant us faith that we may know the riches of Thy grace.
Make my heart hear Thy gladness, Lord, receive all love’s embrace.
Restore in me Thy joy, I pray; lead me in the right way.
Then I will teach transgressors truth and sinners will be saved.

Preach to my soul Thy promises for I am impotent.
Cast out my fear with Holy fire; Thy Spirit to me sent.
For you delight in brokenness; Thy will become my own.
Take all my life and let it shine, predestined for Thy home.

Additional verses to "Man of Sorrows," What a Name

I propose these verses to be 2, 3, and 4 inserted. My dear friend/pastor Barry requested I write additional verses in order to lengthen the song.

2. Overcomes depravity, with a word he sets me free
Gift of faith, I now believe; Hallelujah, what a Savior!

3. Holy Spirit brings new life; Comfort, help amid the strife
Condemned sinner now made right; Hallelujah, what a Savior!

4. Sing we now the work of grace, Son of God who pleads my case
At the cross love took my place; Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Now to Him Who is Able

Original tune: Holy Bible, Book Divine; William B. Bradbury, 1816-1868. (Aletta)
Romans 16:25; Eph. 3:20; Jude 24

Now to Him who is able
To do more than we could ask.
Glory be to Christ our God.
He who works His will in us.

Now to Him who is able
To strengthen by his own word.
Glory be to Christ our God.
He who loves to dwell in us.

Now to Him who is able
To keep us from falling away.
Glory be to Christ our God.
He who lives presents us pure.

Now to Him who is able
With great joy delights in us.
Glory be to Christ our God.
He alone deserves all praise.

Nothing Will Separate

Original tune: Living for Jesus; C. Harold Lowden, 1883-1960
Romans 8:15-39

Nothing will ever separate God's love,
No height or distance nor pow'r from above.
If God is for us who can be opposed,
He gave his own son, the redeemed, he chose.

Chorus:
What can we say to these things if God has justified,
There is no other judgment since God, he cannot lie.
His faithfulness eternal; His Christ, our ransom gave,
God said nothing will separate his love for those he saves.

Our present suff’rings cannot be compared
The weight of glory in Christ we now share.
In hope we wait for redemption secure
Christ is our future, the cross is our cure.

Chorus:

We know in all things God works for the good.
To those who love God, who trust him for good.
For you received not a spirit of fear
But of adoption, our father is near.

Chorus:

Greater Love Hath No Other

Original tune: Songs of Praise the Angels Sang; John Antes, 1740-1811; arr. John B. Wilkes, 1785-1869 (Monkland)
John 15:13, 16

Greater love hath no other, still Christ died for the sinner.
You chose not but I chose you, friends you are who bear good fruit.

Born to love his enemies, come to make them just and free
Then amid their violent hate, Jesus drank wrath’s cup of fate.

Glory! Ring the bells again; Christ has crushed the curse of sin
Songs of praise, arise O Church, sing to God his matchless worth.

Saving love, how can it be; Jesus lives to intercede.
Stand in awe, the king of kings; great High Priest, our offering.

Perfect love, our redemption; sealed our right of adoption.
Signed in blood, our brother’s work; hope is our new heav’n and earth.

Solo Christo!

Original tune: The Strife is O’er; Giovanni P. Da Palestrina, 1525-1994; adapt. William Henry Monk, 1823-1889.
Acts 4:12


How irresistible His grace that drew me out of sin’s dark place.
No more can I resist his face; Sola Gratia!

Now Christ alone becomes my all by faith received upon his call
Transforming light, I cannot fall; Sola Fide!

No other name can men be saved apart from Christ, God’s wrath remains.
Turn now to Christ in humble praise; Solo Christo!

He who began this work in you will surely raise all things anew.
The Triune God, all glory due; Hallelujah!

Thy word alone upholds all things, alone can make my heart to sing.
O death, O grave, where now thy sting; Solo Christo!

Not To Us

Original tune: No, Not One; George C. Hugg, 1848-1907.
Ps. 115:1, Col. 1:16f.

In Christ we move and we have our being,
Not to us, not to us.
But to His name do we give all glory,
Not to us, not to us.

Chorus:
By him all things hold together
All things high and all things low
Every inch of creation bending
Not to us, not to us.

Every moment of hist’ry written
Not to us, not to us.
All to the praise of the Christ who’s risen
Not to us, not to us.

Chorus:

While we are here we must tell the story
Not to us, not to us.
To spread the fame of our Savior’s glory
Not to us, not to us.

Chorus:

Behold, the Gift

Original tune: God of Our Fathers (National Hymn); George W. Warren, 1828-1902

Behold, the gift of God has come to man,
One silent night his glory filled the land.
Below was heard, the promised Savior’s cry.
The Triune God, a myst'ry wrapped inside.

Christ is the branch of Jesse’s lineage.
He is the son of God’s own righteousness.
Born unto us, oppressed by injustice.
Brightest of light shone forth in our darkness.

From majesty to manger now he lay.
As tender shoot, he grew to show the way.
He would be crushed for our transgressions all.
The Son of Man come ransom sinner’s fall.

Born unto us, this child will lead us home.
Lead us to light, from sin no more roam.
Behold our God has come to dwell in us.
Immanuel, forever God with us.

For Unto Us

Original tune: Lift Up Your Heads; Thomas Williams’ Psalmodia Evangelica, (Truro) 1789.


For unto us the Christ is born, behold the Savior, we adore.
The Creator transcends our space; the wisdom of his wondrous grace.

He came to live among his own; he had no place to call his home.
We heard his voice, we saw his face; the beauty of his loving grace.

He knew us all, we knew him not; twas born to fill the Father’s plot.
A cruel world, his arms embrace; the power of amazing grace.

Our hope is born, the light of men, how Jesus came to die for sin.
The Ransomed sing from ev’ry race; the music of his saving grace.

Communion Prayer

Original Tune: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross; Lowell Mason, 1792-1872
Inspired From the Book of Common Prayer

We presume not Thy table, Lord
Thy mercy calls us to commune
Trust not in our own righteousness
But in the merits of Thy Son.

Worthy we’re not to gather Thy crumbs
Blessed is the Lord who calls us; come!
His mercy made a living way
For He is satisfied by One.

Grant, gracious Lord, for us to take
The bread and blood that Christ became
That we may walk in forgiveness
Grow in new life and Thine in us.

Fan into flame Thy Spirit’s work
That we may be one holy church
May love abound and freedom bring
Hearts ever changed, more like our King.

For To Live Is Christ

Original tune: The Old Rugged Cross; George Bennard, 1873-1960.
2 Timothy 4: 7, Philippians 1:21, 3:8-11,14

I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race.
The faith I have kept not by sight.
I have poured out my life as an off ‘ring for Christ.
For to die is my soul glorified.

Chorus:

For to live is Christ and die is gain.
Thanks to God who has loved my poor soul.
For His grace to me, not in vain.
He has promised to finish the goal.

I press on toward the prize for the Christ who has died.
For his glory is kept for the wise.
So our labor is right to produce harvest white
Until I hear the call from the skies.

Chorus:

For I count all things loss for the worth of the cross
And to share in his suff’ring for me.
To be changed, more like Christ. Wear his name; show his light.
To be raised by his glory and might.


Chorus:

May our children all be a bright light used by Thee
And join us in great jubilee.
We will finely be dressed in our body of rest
What joy is now, forever blessed.

Chorus:

The Cross of Jesus

Original tune: What child is This (Greensleeves); Traditional English Melody, 16th Century; harmony, John Stainer, 1840-1901.
Psalm 8

The Cross of Jesus tells the truth of man’s own heart condition
Rejecting Christ who came to serve, the God of peace and wisdom.
What, what is man that God be mindful of and consider?
Grace, grace to love him more than all creation’s splendor.

The Cross of Jesus tells the truth of mercy and of justice.
How Jesus died to ransom his own children from his judgment.
What, what is man that God be mindful of and consider?
Grace, grace to love him more than all creation’s splendor.

From lips of children, infant cries, the heaven’s long to listen
Thine enemies are silenced at the sound of gospel witness.
What, what is man that God be mindful of and consider?
Grace, grace to love him more than all creation’s splendor.

Come near come far all here below, behold the man of sorrows
Who came to bear the sinful curse and purge the earth of his foes.
What, what is man that God be mindful of and consider?
Grace, grace to love him more than all creation’s splendor.

O Hail the Sovereign king whose love hath bore the wrath of nations
His seal is set upon his bride, she bears no condemnation.
What, what is man that God be mindful of and consider?
Grace, grace to love him more than all creation’s splendor.

Awesome In This Place (additional verses)

Original words and music: Awesome In This Place; David Billington. C. 1992 Integrity's Hosanna! Music.

As I come into your presence, past the gates of praise,
into your sanctuary, till we're standing face to face.
I look upon your countenance, I see the fullness of your grace,
and I can only bow down and say: "You are Awesome in this place, Mighty God.
You are awesome in this place, Abba Father.
You are worthy of all praise, to you our lives we raise
You are awesome in this place, Mighty God."

He came humbly as a servant; born of flesh, our King
To purchase our redemption, he became sin's offering.
I contemplate the birth of Christ; behold the fullness of God's grace.
And I can only bow down and say, "You are Awesome in this place…

For the wise men came to worship; men and angels sing.
Humanity had waited; salvation God would bring.
His Covenant of grace is born; behold the fullness of God's face.
So let us humbly bow down and say; "You are Awesome in this place…

Born, Son of Man, a Savior Blessed

Original tune: All Creatures of Our God and King; Geistliche Kirchengesang 1623; harm. Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958.
Isaiah 9:2-7, Zechariah 13:1, John 3:13

Born, son of man, a Savior blessed
Who came from God in humbleness.
Alleluia, Alleluia
How shepherds heard the heavens sing
How shepherds bowed with trembling knee.
O Praise Him; O praise him
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

See this child born in Bethlehem
Who comes as pure and spotless lamb.
Alleluia, Alleluia
How God provides for sinful men,
How merciful did heaven send.
O Praise Him; O praise him
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Light of the world in darkness fill,
Laid in a manger of God's zeal.
Alleluia, Alleluia
Forever justice through his son;
Redeeming mercy, Holy one.
O Praise Him; O praise him
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Transcendent God for us to know
Opens a fount that ever flows.
Alleluia, Alleluia
Come, drink the waters and be saved,
See, the Son takes our sins away.
O Praise Him; O praise him
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

O Magnify the Lord

Original tune: It Came upon a Midnight Clear; Richard Storrs Willis, 1819-1900
Luke 1:46-55

O magnify the Lord with me, exalt his name on high.
Our king is born in Bethlehem; the virgin Mary's cry.
"Why me," my Lord a peasant girl, "would God's own glory fill?"
The mighty one has done great things to prove his sovereign will.

Come all and marvel at this gift, the son of God's own birth.
The world will hear the Savior cry, we know not of his worth.
Yet he will bear our sin for us, the child divine, he came.
And though rejected by us all we celebrate his name.

He scatters all the proud of heart and draws the humble near.
Fills all the wanting souls with good, mercy toward those who fear.
Look now to Christ who overcomes is born this day to men.
Fall down upon your knees, repent; forgiveness of our sin.

O magnify the Lord with me, exalt his name on high.
Our king is born in Bethlehem; the sinner's hope is nigh.
Rejoice and sing like Mary sang, unfailing love, his name.
and he is faithful to redeem and spread his sovereign fame.

The Thorns, the Nails, Hammer and Wood

Original tune: Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee (St. Agnes), John B. Dykes, 1823-1876

The thorns, the nails, hammer and wood;
familiar tools of mine,
My tongue, my hands and angry heart,
all party to the crime.

The taunts, the cheers and mocking crowd
demand his blood be spilled.
My evil drive be entertained,
My soul's dark thirst be filled.

All were in Adam when he sinned,
the nations soon dispersed.
Everyone born of flesh will die
because of sin's great curse.

Our only help and hope is this:
Jesus be crucified.
The thorns he wore, the nails and wood;
serve as my saving cry.

My shameful state was laid on Christ,
my violent crimes he bore.
For his great love became a curse;
though her was rich, made poor.

The thorns, the nails, hammer and wood;
God used for good to raise.
My tongue, my hands and contrite heart;
all for God's use and praise.

How Merciful Did Grace Abound!

Original tune: The First Lord’s Day (Spingbrook); William N. McElrath, 1932-
1 Peter 2:9,10. Rom. 8: 20-25. Rev. 21

Christ called me out of dark despair; the law exposed my shame.
But bursting through the darkness his light of grace overcame.

How merciful did grace abound! That broke the curse, my chains.
For Christ has won my right to live, His Sovereign freedom reigns.

Love bore the sin of Adam’s race, creation groans in pain.
But soon its vindication comes, the last of sin’s domain.

How merciful did grace abound! That broke the curse, my chains.
For Christ has won my right to live, His Sovereign freedom reigns.

A shout will call from pole to pole, His sheep will gather near.
And for eternity we’ll praise, our faith will be made clear.

How merciful did grace abound! That broke the curse, my chains.
For Christ has won my right to live, His Sovereign freedom reigns.

A new heaven and earth will be our home of endless joy
For Christ who calls us out of death, our lives he will employ.

How merciful did grace abound! That broke the curse, my chains.
For Christ has won my right to live, His Sovereign freedom reigns.

O Jesus, My Rock and Refuge

Original tune: America the Beautiful; Samuel A. Ward 1847-1903
Eph. 2:14-16

O Jesus, my rock and refuge on which my hope remains.
For He alone has saved my soul and from God’s wrath, my shame.
My freedom won, my chains undone. Redemption paid in blood.
God put to death the enmity that kept me from His love.

O beautiful the hands and feet that brought the gospel near.
Christ knew no sin yet suffered mine; the love of God appeared.
Amazing Grace, Amazing Love, salvation raptures me.
I once was lost but grace has found, now Jesus I believe.

O perfect love cast out my fear and give me faith to stand.
Against my own and worldly way to live as Christ commands.
For blessed are the ones who walk in spirit so divine,
Who stumble not in Christ own love and reach the hopeful prize.

Forgive my Unbelief

Original Tune: Breathe on Me, Breath of God; Robert Jackson, 1840-1914.
Mark 9:24, 1 John 2:5-6

Forgive my unbelief; my faith is wayward still.
Often I’m tossed by fear and doubt when I look to my will.

Forgive my unbelief; I misinterpret pain.
Thy work of grace is for my good, to learn your blessed name.

Forgive my unbelief when I manipulate.
Often I care what man may think, help me, my sin to hate.

Forgive my unbelief; my words reveal the heart.
Assuming ill within my thoughts divides the church apart.

Teach me to love Jesus that I may trust His heart.
That I may walk as Jesus walked and ne’er from grace depart.