10/28/2026
Lifting prayers for Pastor Bruce Gillette and appreciation to Pastor Carolyn Winfrey Gillette for the hymn share.
BEFORE ELECTIONS, 2 HYMNS
In Times of Great Decision
AURELIA ("The Church's One Foundation")
In times of great decision, be with us, God, we pray!
Give each of us a vision of Jesus' loving way.
When louder words seem endless and other voices sure,
Remind us of your promise: your love and truth endure.
O God, whose gifts are countless, you send us bearing peace.
You fill our dreams with justice for all communities.
You give us global neighbors, that all may justly live.
May those we choose as leaders reflect the life you give.
O God, you bridged the distance; you opened wide your door.
You call us by our presence to reach to serve the poor.
You teach us: Welcome strangers! Seek justice on the earth!
May those we choose as leaders see every person's worth.
You call on every nation to put aside all greed,
To care for your creation and for your ones in need,
To care for those in prison, for children, for the ill.
In times of great decision, may we choose leaders well.
Biblical References: Micah 6:6-8; Amos 5:21-24; Matthew 7:7-12; Mark 12:28-34; Isaiah 65:17-25; Hebrews 13:1-9a, 16; Psalm 104
Tune: Samuel Sebastian Wesley, 1864 ("The Church's One Foundation")
Alternate tune: LLANGLOFFAN, Traditional Welsh melody, from Daniel Evans' Hymnau a Thonau (Hymns and Tunes), 1865 ("Lead On, O King Eternal"; "Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers")
Text: Copyright © 2004 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Included in "Songs of Grace: New Hymns for God and Neighbor" (Upper Room Books, 2009).
Email: [email protected] New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com
Hymn Note for "In Times of Great Decision"
This hymn was inspired by the National Council of Churches' "Christian Principles in an Election Year", available online with a study guide. This hymn was featured in a NCC news story, "NCC's 'Christian Principles in an Election Year' Inspire New Hymn".
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God of All Peoples
BUNESSAN ("Morning Has Broken")
God of all peoples, cultures and nations,
God of the poor and wealthy ones, too —
Be with our land as we make decisions;
Help us, we pray, to listen to you.
May we hear well your call to do justice;
May we know all your children have worth.
May we seek leaders who will end violence;
May we choose ones who care for your earth.
May we be thoughtful in our decisions:
Who will be truthful, moral and wise?
Who will restore the streets that we live in?
Who will love those whom others despise?
How will the ones campaigning to lead us
Care for the stranger, outcast and poor?
Will they hear ones who long have been silenced?
Or will they say that wealth matters more?
God, may this time of anger be over;
May we grow past our current divide.
Make us as one, as sisters and brothers;
In this good land, may your love abide.
Biblical References: Genesis 1:26; Isaiah 58; Micah 6:8; Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 9:52-56; Hebrews 13:2; Leviticus 19:18, 19:33-34; Luke 15:1; Ephesians 4:6; Proverbs 14:29, 15:18, 22:24; 1 John 3:17-18, 4:20-21
Tune: Traditional Gaelic melody ("Morning Has Broken") (MIDI)
Text: Copyright © 2016 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Email: [email protected]. New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com
This interfaith hymn was written in response to the divisive presidential election in 2016 the United States; it may also be appropriate as a response to the divisive presidential election in 2020.
Permission is given for free use of this hymn in local faith communities.
THANK YOU! I am very grateful for your prayers for my hymn writing, for your use of my hymns throughout the year, and for those who were able to make financial contributions for hymn use. If you would like to send a financial gift, you may give through PayPal, referencing my email address of [email protected] or by sending a check (Carolyn W. Gillette, P.O. Box 577, Owego, NY 13827).
I continue to give permission for free use of my hymns if your church is struggling or has a limited music/worship budget. It’s up to you to decide what works best for your congregation. I want all churches to be able to use my hymns in worship.
We always welcome prayers for my hymn writing, and we encourage you to PLEASE SHARE these hymns and my hymn web site with pastors, church musicians, worship planners and hymn lovers who might like to use them as possible worship resources.
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Thank you for your support in a variety of ways. Please drop me an email at [email protected] if you would like a copy of a hymn in MS Word and/or a PDF of a hymn with music (I have some of them formatted with music) or simply to be in touch.
Prayer Update on my husband Bruce Gillette: Bruce had his appointment with a Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania Tuesday/October 27, then had labs, an EKG, and a CAT scan. He will have an MRI next week and then brain surgery for normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). Billy Joel has the same condition. We are very grateful for everyone’s kind notes and especially prayers. Thank you!
Blessings on you, your loved ones and your service.
Grace and Peace,
Carolyn
