New hymn celebrates the ordination of the Rev. Margaret E. Towner
The Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette publishes ‘O God, We Give Thanks for Brave Women of Old’
LOUISVILLE — Presbyterian hymnwriter the Rev. Carolyn Gillette was commissioned to pen a new hymn, “O God, We Give Thanks for Brave Women of Old,” to help Presbyterians celebrate the 70th anniversary of the ordination of the denomination’s first woman pastor, the Rev. Margaret E. Towner.
The Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse ordained Towner on Oct. 24, 1956. Learn more about her pioneering ministry here.
Covenant Presbyterian Church in Columbus, Ohio, commissioned the hymn, and Gillette will preach and teach at the church on Oct. 25.
The hymn is set to the tune of “To God Be the Glory.” Learn more about the hymn here. Scriptural references include Luke 10:38-42, John 11, John 19:25-27, John 20:1-18, John 4:4-42, Luke 8:1-3, Romans 16:1-2, Acts 16:14-15, Acts 16:40, Acts 18 and Romans 16:7.
O God, We Give Thanks for Brave Women of Old
TO GOD BE THE GLORY 11.11.11.11 with Refrain
O God, we give thanks for brave women of old
whose faithfulness shines through their stories, long-told.
For Mary and Martha found life in the Lord,
and Mary of Magdala trusted his word.
At the well, on the Way, at the cross, at the grave,
women spoke, joined to pray, felt your power to save.
They served you in good times and times of great strife;
they witnessed to Jesus, that all might have life.
O God, in the churches that spread early on,
we thank you that women were well-counted on.
It's said Phoebe carried Paul's letter to Rome.
Brave Lydia started a church in her home.
As she worked at her trade, she made converts for you.
Prisca led and she prayed, as did Junia, too.
They served you in good times and times of great strife;
they witnessed to Jesus, that all might have life.
O God, we give thanks for the call Margaret knew,
for Rachel and Katie and their callings, too,
Each sat in a preaching class, sometimes alone,
then stood up in pulpits to make your love known.
We give thanks for the ones who weren't welcomed or heard,
but who still persevered in proclaiming your word.
They served you in good times and times of great strife;
they witnessed to Jesus, that all might have life.
O God, we give thanks for the women today
who lead us in worship and teach us and pray —
for pastors and prophets, for bishops and more —
for girls who speak truth and who welcome the poor.
May we all, in this world, know the ways we've been blessed
by their love of your Word, by their giving their best.
May all of us — serving through joy and through strife —
bear witness to Jesus, that all may have life.
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