Songs of Grace ‎#59a

59a. God, We Spend a Lifetime Growing

God, we spend a lifetime growing, learning of your love and care,
Planting seeds you give for sowing, working for the fruit they’ll bear.
Now we honor faithful servants who, with joy, look back and see
Years of growing in your presence, lives of fruitful ministry.

Thank you, Lord, for ones who teach us what has brought them to this place!
May their faith-filled witness reach us; may we glimpse in them your grace.
Strong in you, their strength uplifts us from our birth until life’s end;
Spirit-filled, they give us gifts, as prophet, mentor, guide and friend.

Christ our Lord, you walk beside us, giving daily work to do;
Years go by and still you guide us as we seek to follow you.
If our sight fails, weak hands tremble, minds forget the things we’ve known,
Lord, we trust that you’ll remember, hold us close, and see us home.

Text Information

• First Line: God, we spend a lifetime growing, learning of your love and care
• Title: God, We Spend a Lifetime Growing
• Author: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette (2001)
• Meter: 8.7.8.7 D
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2001
• Topic: Aging and Gifts of Older Church Members; Call/Vocation; Life in Christ
• Copyright: Copyright © 2001 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved

Tune Information

• Name: HYMN TO JOY
• Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven (1824)
• Adapter: Edward Hodges (1796-1867)
• Meter: 8.7.8.7 D
• Key: G Major