HYMN: Oh, Draw Us from the Nations

As it almost always seems to, my time at District Convention has proven fruitful for writing hymn texts. I wrote two yesterday, both for the Easter Vigil project I’m working on with the Reverend Doctor John Fleischmann. They’re both rough first drafts, and any feedback you’d desire to provide would be appreciated. Here’s the first text. I don’t yet know what I/we want to do for a tune.

Oh, and I also wrote the first stanza of a text which was supposed to be for the Easter Vigil project, but I think it will stand better as a hymn text regarding our response to the disregard of the world toward the Church. 

Oh, Draw Us from the Nations

for the Easter Vigil

A New Heart and a New Spirit—Ezekiel 36:24-28

1. Oh, draw us from the nations

And gather us to You.

Pour out baptismal waters

To cleanse like morning dew.

Create in us a new heart;

Cut out our heart of stone.

Remove our love of idols;

Lead us to You alone.

2. Within us put Your Spirit

To be Your dwelling place,

And make Your Law our pleasure,

Obeying by Your grace.

Grant us to be Your people;

Our God forever be!

Yes, gather us together

Unto eternity.

86 86D