My Very First Hymn

 

In 2001 I wrote my first hymn.  I have always written, but never did I imagine writing a hymn.  There was a hymn that I wanted to use in our service, but our organist disliked the words.  I said (, thinking “how hard could it be!” ) “Will you play it, Doris, if I write new words for it?”  Doris said she would and so I embarked on a journey that has proved both very exciting and very difficult.  You see, I don’t read music.  I’ve never played an instrument.  But, ignorance is bliss, so I started.  Oh my, the crumpled paper!  The erasures!  The scribbled lines that didn’t make the final draft.  Anyhow, here it is and I am still writing.

In the Beginning

©2001 Mollie Pearce McKibbon

 

In the beginning, all was in silence;

Darkness and water covered the earth.

God’s Word made sunlight, moon-glow and star-shine,

Green grass and flowers, birdsong and mirth.

 

God’s Word is blessed, God’s Word is sacred,

Brought forth as human, caring and kind;

Healer and teacher, prophet and Saviour;

Love resurrected, King beyond time.

 

Word of elation, Word of salvation;

Jesus, beloved, full of God’s grace.

Wonderful counsellor, Manna from heaven;

All that You are God, shines from your face.

 

May the world praise You, O God Almighty,

May we all sing praise, ever to You.

Open our hearts God, to your Word spoken,

Make your Word known, God, all the world through.

 

I was really thrilled when the Southern Ontario Chapter of the Hymn Society  chose this hymn, along with hymns from three other writers, to be sung at a Hymn festival in Toronto.  It was thrilling to hear it sung by a wonderful soprano and then by a full choir.  If anyone would like to use this hymn please contact me through this blog as I do own the copyright.