We rise again from ashes,
from the good we've failed to do.
We rise again from ashes,
to create ourselves anew.
If all our world is ashes,
then must our lives be true,
an offering of ashes, an offering to you.
We offer you our failures,
we offer you attempts,
the gifts not fully given,
the dreams not fully dreamt.
Give our stumblings direction,
give our visions wider view,
an offering of ashes, an offering to you.
Then rise again from ashes,
let healing come to pain,
though spring has turned to winter,
and sunshine turned to rain.
The rain we'll use for growing,
and create the world anew
from an offering of ashes, an offering to you.
Thanks be to the Father,
who made us like himself.
Thanks be to the Son,
who saved us by his death.
Thanks be to the Spirit
who creates the world anew
from an offering of ashes, an offering to you.
Blessed Lamb! on Calvary's mountain
Slain to take our sins away:
Let the drops of that rich fountain
Our tremendous ransom pay:
Sacred Savior! Sacred Savior!
Lowly at Thy feet we pray.
Blessed Lamb! vouchsafe us pardon,
In thy love our souls confide:
By Thy groans within the garden,
By the death which Thou hast died,
Let Thy Passion, let Thy Passion
Ever more with us abide!
So shall peace, sweet peace be given,
Purchase of Thy precious pain;
So shall earth but lead to heaven,
Since for us the Lamb was slain:
Dear Redeemer! dear Redeemer!
Thou canst not have died in vain.
Take up your cross, the Savior said,
If you would my disciple be;
Deny yourself, the world forsake,
And humbly follow after me.
Take up your cross, be not ashamed!
Let not disgrace your spirit fill!
For God himself endured to die
Upon a cross, on Calvary's hill.
Take up your cross, which gives you strength,
Which makes your trembling spirit brave;
'Twill guide you to a better home
And lead to vict'ry o'er the grave.
Take up your cross, and follow Christ,
Nor think till death to lay it down;
For only they who bear the cross
May hope to wear the glorious crown.
Take up your cross, the Savior said,
If you would my disciple be;
Take up your cross, deny yourself,
And humbly follow after me.
Take up your cross, let not its weight
Fill your weak spirit with alarm;
His strength shall bear your spirit up
And brace your heart and nerve your arm.
Take up your cross, heed not the shame,
And let your foolish heart be still;
The Lord for you accepted death
Upon a cross, on Calvary's hill.
Tree of Life and awesome mystery,
In your death we are reborn,
Though you die in all of history,
Still you rise with every morn,
Still you rise with every morn.
Seed that dies to rise in glory,
May we see ourselves in you,
If we learn to live your story
We may die to rise anew,
We may die to rise anew.
We remember truth once spoken,
Love passed on through act and word,
Every person lost and broken
Wears the body of our Lord,
Wears the body of our Lord.
Gentle Jesus, mighty Spirit,
Come inflame our hearts anew,
We may all your joy inherit
If we bear the cross with you,
If we bear the cross with you.
Christ, you lead and we shall follow,
Stumbling though our steps may be,
One with you in joy and sorrow,
We the river, you the sea,
We the river, you the sea.
Light of life beyond conceiving,
Mighty Spirit of our Lord;
Give new strength to our believing,
Give us faith to live your word.
Give us faith to live your word.
From the dawning of creation,
You have loved us as your own;
Stay with us through all temptation,
Make us turn to you alone.
Make us turn to you alone.
In our call to be a blessing,
May we be a blessing true;
May we live and die confessing
Christ as Lord of all we do.
Christ as Lord of all we do.
Living Water of salvation,
Be the fountain of each soul;
Springing up in new creation,
Flow in us and make us whole.
Flow in us and make us whole.
Give us eyes to see you clearly,
Make us children of your light;
Give us hearts to live more nearly
As your gospel shining bright.
As your gospel shining bright.
God of all our fear and sorrow,
God who lives beyond our death;
Hold us close through each tomorrow,
Love as near as every breath.
Love as near as every breath.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble,
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble,
Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble,
Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble,
Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble,
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they rolled the stone away?
Were you there when they rolled the stone away?
Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble,
Were you there when they rolled the stone away?
Return to God with all your heart, the source of grace and mercy;
come seek the tender faithfulness of God.
Return to God with all your heart, the source of grace and mercy;
come seek the tender faithfulness of God.
Now the time of grace has come, the day of salvation;
come and learn now the way of our God.
Return to God with all your heart, the source of grace and mercy;
come seek the tender faithfulness of God.
I will take your heart of stone and place a heart within you,
a heart of compassion and love.
Return to God with all your heart, the source of grace and mercy;
come seek the tender faithfulness of God.
If you break the chains of oppression,
if you set the pris'ner free;
if you share your bread with the hungry,
give protection to the lost;
give a shelter to the homeless,
clothe the naked in your midst,
then your light shall break forth like the dawn.