Choral Music

Offertory (9a)   Redeeming Grace Traditional American, arr. K. Lee Scott
Stephanie Helwing, soprano

Come, all who love
my Lord and Master
and like old David,
I will tell,
though chief of sinners,
I've found favor
redeemed by grace
from death and hell.
Far as the east
from west is parted,
so far my sins,
by his dying love,
from me by faith
are separated,
blest antepast
of joys above.

I, late estranged
from Jesus, wandered
and thought each
dangerous poison good;
but he in mercy
long pursued me
with cries of his
redeeming blood.
Though like Bartimaeus
I was blinded
in nature's darkest
night concealed.
But Jesus' love
removed my blindness,
and he his pardoning
grace revealed.

Now I will serve him
while he spares me,
and with his people
sing aloud;
though hell oppose
and sinners mock me,
in rapturous songs
I'll praise my God.
By faith I view
the heavenly concert,
they sing high strains
of Jesus' love;
I fain would be
with Christ above.
Oh, with desire
my soul is longing,
and fain would be
with Christ above.

--Traditional American

Offertory (11:15a)  Open Thou Mine Eyes  John Rutter
Sanctuary Choir

Open thou mine eyes
and I shall see:
Incline my heart
and I shall desire:
Order my steps
and I shall walk
in the ways
of thy commandments.

O Lord God,
be thou to me a God
and beside thee
let there be none else,
no other,
naught else with thee.

Vouchsafe to me
to worship thee
and serve thee,
according to
thy commandments,
in truth of spirit,
in reverence of body,
in blessing of lips,
in private and in public.

--Lancelot Andrewes (1555-1626), tr. Alexander Whyte