God of nature, at whose voice the waves and winds must now obey,
Give your people words of comfort, acts of grace to share today.
Yours the pow’r of devastation, yours to gather, help and heal;
We know not your ways of wisdom; let your light our paths reveal.

Shelter Lord, the homeless, helpless, young and old with pity see,
Give their daily food, supply their needs with perfect equity.
Grant protection, strength and patience to their rescuers, we pray;
Fill with hope the laboring workers, grace to serve both night and day.

Bring your people ever closer, sharing pain of grief and loss,
Motivate us, loving Savior, with the love shown by your cross.
We, your Body, long to serve you, serving others in your name,
And when sorrow washes o’er us, Gracious Spirit, heal the pain.

Call our nation to repentance; gather us to finally see
You’re the God of love and mercy; rescue us and set us free.
Let our deeds announce redemption, saving grace for all our days.
Let your song go forth to cheer us, lifting heart and hands to praise. Amen.

Beach Spring, 87.87.D (Come All Christians Be Committed)
Nettleton, 87.87.D (Come Thou Fount)

© 2005 Stephen D. Lawton, all rights reserved.
Permission is hereby granted for credited use, unaltered, only in public worship.

Offered in response to Hurricane Katrina and the ensuing disasters in the gulf coast states, August 29, 2005. Mr. Lawton is Director of Music and Worship, Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC. (PCA)
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**My Uncle Steve emailed me the hymn he penned and I do believe it’s being sung all over the United States now. Yesterday we sang it at Zion — it was a pleasant suprise to me. Uncle Steve wasn’t so much touted as “The Director of Music and Worship at Mitchell Road” as he was for being “David Lawton’s brother.” ; )