Gather Us In- 284

Here in this place, the new light is streaming,

shadows of doubt are vanished away.

See in this space our fears and our dreamings,

brought here to you in the light of this day.

Gather us in, the lost and forsaken;

gather us in; our spirits in flame.

Call to us now, and we shall awaken;

we shall arise at the sound of our name.

We are the young- our lives a mystery;

we are the old, who years for your face.

We have been sung throughout all of history,

called to be light to the whole human race.

Gather us in- the rich and the haughtier;

gather us in- the proud and the strong;

give us a heart so meek so lowly;

give us the courage to enter the song.

Here we receive new life in the waters;

here we receive the bread of new birth;

here you shall call your sons and your daughters,

call us a new to be salt for the earth.

Gather us to drink the wine of compassion,

give us to eat the bread that is you;

nourish us well, and teach us to fashion

lives that are holy and hearts that are true.

Not just in buildings, small and confining;

not in some heaven, light years away,

here in this place the new light is shining;

now is God present, and now is the day.

Gather us in and hold us forever;

gather us in and make us your own;

gather us in, all peoples together,

fire of love in our flesh and our bone.