Two hymns for Reformation Day (by Pr. Charles Henrickson)

Here are two hymns for Reformation Day that I wrote, which we’ll be singing in our church this Sunday. If you click the tune links, you can sing along.

BY GRACE ALONE WE ARE GOD’S OWN

By grace alone
We are God’s own;
This is His gift of salvation.
We are put right,
Not by our might
But by God’s own declaration.
Christ’s holy blood,
The cleansing flood;
The gift is free,
And so are we
Freed from our sin’s condemnation.

Through faith alone–
Works won’t atone–
We trust in Christ’s mediation.
True God, true man,
His cross the span
That bridges sin’s separation.
He is the gift
Who heals the rift;
We thank the Lord
That He restored
This Gospel’s pure proclamation.

Scripture alone
Can make God known,
Breathed out by God’s inspiration.
Man’s thoughts and dreams,
Our manmade schemes–
These are but mere speculation.
One holy light
Shines in the night;
God’s Word is sure
And will endure
To ev’ry new generation.

On Christ alone,
Our cornerstone,
The Church’s one foundation–
On Him we build,
As God has willed,
Heirs of the great Reformation.
Upon this Rock,
Though men may mock,
We’ll take our stand
In ev’ry land
With joy and glad celebration!

Text: Charles Henrickson, © 2016
Tune: Mit Freuden zart (LSB 483) 448 448 44 44 8

A LONELY MONK, NOW LONG AGO

A lonely monk, now long ago,
Nailed truth upon a door;
The echoes of that hammer blow
Rang out to many more.
And when he spoke his “Here I stand,”
Although he could be slain,
Throughout the realm a growing band
Soon followed in his train.

Confessors, princes, duty bound,
To Augsburg bold they came;
Before the king they stood their ground
And were not put to shame.
Their good confession made that day
Proved not to be in vain;
Gird us their sons, Lord, that we may
Still follow in their train.

With confidence in Christ alone,
Our faith we will confess;
For Jesus’ death made us His own,
And now He lives to bless.
Our Savior leads us heavenward,
Eternal life to gain;
Confessing truth that we have heard,
We follow in His train!

Text: Charles Henrickson, © 2012
Tune: All Saints New LSB 661, 678) C M D

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