God, You Give Us Recreation

A Hymn for Souper Bowl Sunday
8.7.8.7 D IN BABILONE "There's a Wideness in God's Mercy"

God, you give us recreation, rest and play when work is through,
Game and sport and celebration, times that challenge and renew.
In the days we spend together, in the feasts that we prepare,
In the times of joy and laughter, may we know your loving care.

Yet, O Lord, we see you crying for the ones who know no rest,
For your children, hungry, dying, for the homeless and oppressed.
May we, as your sons and daughters, share with open heart and hand,
Till your justice flows like waters to the poor throughout the land.

Bless, O Christ, our gifts of caring, for we know without a doubt:
Soup and bread are made for sharing, hands are made for reaching out.
Even in our times of playing, may we keep the vision clear:
Keep us serving, loving, praying, welcoming your kingdom here.

Tune: Dutch Melody arranged by Julius Rontgen (1855-1933). Alternatives tunes are many for 8.7.8.7 D found in metrical index of tunes in hymnals.
Biblical References: Exodus 20:8, 34:21, 16:22-30; Ecclesiastes 3:12-13, 9:7-9; Deuteronomy 15:11; Amos 5:24; Mark 6:34-44; Matthew 6:10
Text: Copyright © 2000 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.

Permission is granted for free one-time use to support Souper Bowl Sunday's efforts to help the hungry.

Carolyn Winfrey Gillette is the co-pastor of the Limestone Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware and author of Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today's Worship is a collection of 45 new hymns published by Geneva Press. A complete list of her hymns can be found at http://firstpresby.org/hymnlist.htm .
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