Ash Wednesday, March 5
The singing of this hymn is included in the Ash Wednesday worship services,
12:00 n and 7:00 pm in the sanctuary.
Both will include the imposition of ashes.
God, Be the Love to Search and Keep Me
Hymn tune: Green Tyler
©2004, Richard Bruxvoort Colligan
God, be the love to search and keep me
God be the prayer to move my voice
God be the strength to now uphold me
O Christ, surround me; O Christ, surround me
Bind to myself the Name of Holy
Great cloud of witnesses enfold
Prophets, apostles, angels witness
O Christ, surround me; O Christ, surround me
Brightness of sun and glow of moonlight
Flashing of lightning, strength of wind
Depth of the sea to soil of planet
O Christ, surround me; O Christ, surround me
Walking behind to hem my journey
Going ahead to light my way
And from beneath, above, and all ways
O Christ, surround me; O Christ, surround me
Christ in the eyes of all who see me
Christ in the ears that hear my voice
Christ in the hearts of all who know me
O Christ, surround me; O Christ, surround me
This hymn is a 21st century adaptation of the traditional Celtic prayer style known as a lorica
(Latin for “armor” or “breastplate”). It is based on an example attributed to St. Patrick.
