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God, You Wrap Your Love Around Us
Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
Use this hymn for Blanket Sunday and assisting the Afghan refugees and displaced persons.
Tune: CONVERSE 8.7.8.7 D "What A Friend We Have in Jesus" United Methodist Hymnal #526, Presbyterian Hymnal #403. Alternate Music: BEECHER 8.7.8.7 D "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" United Methodist Hymnal #384 "Called as Partners in Christ's Service" Presbyterian Hymnal #343.
God, you wrap your love around us, Like a blanket, soft and warm.
You give rest when we are weary, You protect us from the storm.
May each person who finds shelter In these blankets that we share
Also feel the joy and comfort Of your love's protecting care.
Jesus, you were once a baby, Sought by those who would destroy.
Into Egypt you were carried-- Far from home, a little boy.
Were you wrapped up warm to travel, Safe from terror, free from harm?
Did you feel God's strong protection, Snuggled there in Mary's
arm?
May the women, men and children Fleeing danger every day
Know, through us, your living presence; You walk with them on their way.
Spirit, as you give them comfort, Teach us here to freely give;
May we blanket this world over With your love, so all may live.
About Blanket Sunday
Church World Service (CWS) uses the funds to purchase and ship blankets worldwide and within the U.S. and to support a variety of self-help textile-oriented development projects through its partner agencies. Because CWS buys in large quantities, it can provide a good wool or cotton blend blanket for a modest $5. When possible, blankets are purchased closer to the scene of a disaster, to speed delivery and to spur local economies.
Your gifts can help make make a world of difference for millions of people. Give to "Church World Service, Blanket Fund," Advance #982810-7 through a local United Methodist church or send financial contributions to: UMCOR, 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, NY 10115. Call (800) 554-8583 to make a credit card donation.
Permission is given by the author for free use by any congregation supporting Blanket Sunday or UMCOR's and ecumenical relief efforts for refugees. Please include the above copyright and contact information (in smaller type) when copying the hymn text or sharing it with others. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette is the co-pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Pitman, NJ and author of Gifts of Love: New Hymns for Today's Worship (Geneva Press, 2000).
Hymn Text: Copyright © by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, 1999. All rights reserved. 305 South Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071; Email: Bruce.Gillette@ecunet.org. Music copyright © by John R. Kleinheksel Sr. 1998. All rights reserved. 28 Colonial Drive, Oceanport, NJ 07757-1422.