HymnStar, a Selection of Hymns by Pastor Rusty Edwards and Jenni Lee Boyden, graduates of the Certificates Program at ETSS

HymnStar #1 -- Wakeful Morning

We Wake to this Morning, created by you,
and open our eyes to see.
what wonderful pictures you've painted again,
and shared them with us for free.

With love pure and gentle, you send us this show
of colors and rich design.
It showers our faces as if a warm rain.
Your world you have made design.

One day we shall join as small children to sing
in heaven with dance and play.
We'll wake to a morning created by you,
and start yet another day.

words: Jenni Lee Boyden & music:Rusty Edwards
(c) Abingdon Press 2004
hymn was started at the January 2004 session of ETSS certificates program & finished in Alabama

HymnStar #2 -- Twenty-four Hours

Twenty-four hours to love you.
More brand new moments to be and to do.
As the sun rises, let me say:
Thank you for today.

Twenty-four hours to serve you.
Cariing for others is caring for you.
As this day passes, let me say:
Thank you for today.

Twenty-four hours of blessing:
gift upon gIft from the bounty of you.
As the day closes, let me say:
Thank you for today.

Rusty Edwards and Jenni Lee Boyden
(c) Abingdon Press 2004
started at the January 2004 session of ETSS certificates program & finished in Alabama

HymnStar #3 -- Change

Take this broken spirit
create in me a clean soul
Heal this wounded healer
and point me to the good road.

LORD, I'M READY FOR A CHANGE IN ME.
ONLY YOU CAN MAKE ME CHANGE.

Wipe away these tears Lord
and end my night of weeping
Wish away the old ways
replace my pain with gladness.

Plant in me a fresh seed
renew this wounded healer
Seed that grows and blossoms
into the fruit of blessing.

Jenni Lee Boyden and Rusty Edwards
(c) HymnStar 2004
Written while Rusty was a Visiting Fellow at the Seminary of the Southwest in 2004

HymnStar #4 -- Be With Us

We receive the here and now
in harmony with gladness,
gathered in this holy space,
we sense that you are near us.
Minds alert and breathing slowed
with open ears to hear it,
ready for your give and take:
our date with sacred spirit.

Be with us; We kneel to you
with hearts of sweet surrender.
Join us as we join with you:
the broken and the mender.
Fully present, heads we bow,
centered we will be here now.

Here we can connect again
and bask within your presence.
Take away the stumbling stones,
that we might glimpse your essence.
Now we wait upon your word
in peace amid the silence.
We receive this gift with thanks
as chalices of wholeness.

Jenni Lee Boyden and Rusty Edwards
(c) HymnStar 2005
The tune for this text is by Anders Eliasson of Sweden

The first draft of this hymn was written by Rusty Edwards at the ETSS Beach (College Court Pool) in Austin, Texas, following a conversation with ETSS student Jennie M. Anderson

HymnStar #5 -- I View My Reflection

I view my reflection, and what do I see?
A glimpse of a sinner? Or Jesus in me?
I stop for a moment at this quiet place,
and wonder if others see Christ in my face?

May my heart be opened as quickly as eyes.
Then maybe forgiveness will be no surprise.
God called me, God loves me, so now I may share
God's grace overflowing compassion and care.

Do I see the Christ in the faces of you?
A Christ in the stranger and enemy too?
I want to love others, as God does: for free!
And live so that others might see Christ in me.

Jenni Lee Boyden and Rusty Edwards
(c) HymnStar 2005
Dedicated to Molly Bennett in honor of her work with the Certificates Program.
Tune MOLLY written by Russell Schulz, Associate Professor of Church Music at the Seminary of the Southwest

HymnStar #6 -- At Times Such As This

At times such as this,
we gather as one,
to honor our past
and all You have done.
Through wars and closed doors, discontent, sides, and flames,
Your mercy sustains us, Your gospel remains.

You enter our now
in all that we do,
as we live to love
and glorify You.
From blueprints to footprints, our dreams become real:
You guide us in mission
to save, bless, and heal.

New oceans beyond
may face us today.
With You at the helm,
wild storms will obey!
No matter the course, in bright sunshine or wind,
we take on this voyage:
let future begin!

We'll dance with old saints
for whom we once mourned,
now tethered to us
with those yet unborn.
May we welcome strangers with one holy kiss:
let all join Your circle
at times such as this.

Rusty Edwards and Jenni Lee Boyden
(c) HymnStar 2006
TUNE: Hal Hopson, of Dallas, Texas

HymnStar #7 -- Holy One

Holy One, please give to me:
ears to hear you, eyes to see.
Grant so I might understand,
a mind to grasp what you have planned.

Grow in me a quiet heart;
lips that praise from morning's start.
Let my lungs breathe holy air.
Grant gentle hands to take and share.

Feet to walk on sacred earth;
spirit seeking for your worth.
Send a patient soul to me;
your wisdom I will wait to see.

Jenni Lee Boyden and Rusty Edwards
based upon the Prayer of St. Benedict
(c) HymnStar 2005
written at the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest, Austin, Texas

HymnStar #8 -- Candles

The flame of just one candle
can light a thousand more.
It's life will not be shortened.
It's what the flame is for.

As fire connects two candles,
and hearts become one soul,
one act of generous spirit
can start to make us whole.

Each hour of selfless giving
helps us to hear this call:
The life of every person
contains the life of all.

A thousand brilliant candles
shine brighter than the morn.
May they expose love's wisdom
sent from the Great Unborn.

Rusty Edwards and Jenni Lee Boyden
(c) HymnStar 2005 -- San Antonio, Texas

HymnStar # 9 -- Refugee People
written for Episcopal Relief and Development
and ELCA Disaster Response

Refugee people,
hungry and crying,
dazed and some dying,
ripped from their homes,
taken from comfort,
callings and family,
praying for future,
very alone.

Refugee people,
limping toward safety,
running on empty;
home is so far.
Please, God, go with them.
Guide and protect them.
Give them direction.
Send them a star.

Joseph and Mary:
refugee people,
traveled together
to Bethlehem.
Joseph was weary,
Mary expecting.
There was no room for
them in the inn.

We, too, are wand'ring
refugee people,
missing our loved ones.
Highways we roam.
Jesus, once homeless
king without castle:
send us a God-star
Lord, bring us home.

Jenni Lee Boyden and Rusty Edwards
(c) HymnStar 2005
tune:BOZEMAN or other 5554D tune
permission is granted for ECUSA and ELCA churches and schools to reprint this for worship until March 31, 2007 -- this text may also be found at www.er-d.org and www.elca.org/disaster

A December posting on the Certificates listserve from Jenni Lee about Rusty and her being interviewed by BBC about Refugee People

Hi everyone.

Hope your Holidays are going well. We are all very busy this time of year but I wanted to share this little bit of news with you.

Yesterday (Friday) John Cavanagh of the BBC Scotland interviewed Rusty and me about one of our hymns REFUGEE PEOPLE. Louise Yeoman of the BBC Scotland is doing a program on MORNING HAS BROKEN and its roots in the little village of Bunessan on the island of Mull. This is where Mary Macdonald, a Baptist woman wrote a children's Christmas hymn using this tune in the 19th century. The
tune is somtimes refered to as BUNESSAN. You may know it as Cat Stevens' version of MORNING HAS BROKEN.

After huricane Katrina, we wrote REFUGEE PEOPLE on a Wednesday evening and it was posted to at least 5 Denominational Web sites the next day and sung in many churches by that Sunday. Rusty used this tune as there would not have been time to learn a new one on such short notice. We have
since found out that the words of our hymn were used in sermons all around the country and many more Churches here in the US and England actually sang the version using the tune BUNESSAN (MORNING HAS BROKEN).

We were given a copy of the interview as we left the radio station WUWF Public Radio in Pensacola. The show will be assembled and air with the BBC Scotland in January 06. It's funny, you never know where your ministry will take you. We were asked how we met and began writing together. We answered ETSS!!! Will keep you posted!

Merry Christams to all of you and your families. God's Peace,
Jenni Lee

December 2005 Religious News Service article quoting Rusty and other hymn writers on Christmas and Advent hymns

HymnStar #10 -- New Wedding Song

Because of love we join as one.
Our common life has just begun.
We celebrate with vow and ring
as saints rejoice and angels sing.

Because of family and of friends,
we are made strong as we join hands.
Help us to laught, to dance, to share,
and to forgive at times we err.

Because of God, joy is increased,
as Jesus blest the wedding feast.
God bless this day, God bless our lives.
God bless all husbands, bless all wives.

Jenni Lee Boyden and Rusty Edwards
(c) HymnStar 2006
suggested tune: THE GIFT OF LOVE (Hal Hopson, Dallas, Texas)

HymnStar #11 -- Join Us as We Walk Together

Join us as we walk together,
on love's journey, just begun.
Celebrate the giving spirit,
as we pray, "Thy will be done."

Hungry, thirsty, sick, and stranger,
all need healing, touch, and care.
When we visit the imprisoned,
we serve Christ, and Christ goes there.

We find joy in sharing blessings:
shelter, clothes, and daily bread,
with the news we can't stop telling-
Christ is risen from the dead.

Growing in the love of neighbor,
centuries become like days.
Be the church, and God will show us:
Living is an act of praise.

Jenni Lee Boyden and Rusty Edwards
(c) HymnStar 2005
possible tune: BETH (With One Voice)

HymnStar #12 -- Seven Verses for use with the Anglican Rosary

Jesus, Lord,
Alpha and Omega,
Bridegroom and Righteous One:
have mercy upon us.

Jesus Christ,
Rabbi and Good Shepherd,
Only begotten Son:
have mercy upon us.

Jesus, Way,
Cornerstone and Wisdom,
Word, Gate, and Morning Star:
have mercy upon us.

Jesus, Life,
Advocate and Prophet,
Rock and Deliverer:
have mercy upon us.

Jesus, Lamb,
Author of salvation,
Holy, Immanuel:
have mercy upon us.

Jesus, God,
Prince of Peace, Protection,
Wonderful Counselor:
have mercy upon us.

Jesus, Hope,
Mediator, Faithful,
True Bread, True Light, True Vine:
have mercy upon us.

Jenni Lee Boyden and Rusty Edwards
(c) HymnStar 2006

written at the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest, Austin, Texas, during the January 2006 Certificates session after praying the Anglican Rosary with other Certificate students in Christ Chapel

HymnStar #13 -- Bidden, Unbidden

Whether I cry out your name,
or I feel all alone, ashamed,
You are not gone, you are there.
whether I notice your hand,
in all the stars, the sea, the land;
whether or not, you are there.

Bidden, unbidden,
I know you are there,
you are present always,
again, and again.
If I forget you,
or join you in prayer,
you are present always,
forever, amen.

If I don't feel you around;
there is no picture and no sound.
I will believe! You are there!
Even on my darkest days
will come the hours of highest praise.
I will believe! You are there.

words: (c) 2006 Jenni Lee Boyden and Rusty Edwards
music: (c) 2006 Rusty Edwards

HymnStar #14 -- Anima Christi

Soul of Jesus Christ, make me holy,
Body of the Lamb, save me.
Blood of Christ, make cheerful my spirit.
Water from your side, make me clean.
Passion, lend me strength; help me prepare.
Blessed Jesus, hear my prayer.

Deep within your wounds, you can hide me.
Never let us be apart.
From the wicked one, Christ protect me.
At the hour of death, call my heart.
Passion, lend me strength; help me prepare.
Blessed Jesus, hear my prayer.

When you call please guide me to heaven,
that with all your saints, I can be.
So that I may praise you forever.
May your Sacred Heart set me free.
Passion, lend me strength; help me prepare.
Blessed Jesus, hear my prayer.

paraphrase of St. Ignatius June 2006
can be sung to the tune of LET ALL MORTAL FLESH KEEP SILENCE

HymnStar #15 -- All of Us are like Barabbas

All of us are like Barabbas,
each one guilty as can be.
Yet, because of Christ, the pris'ner,
you and I have been set free.

We can be to much like Judas,
oh, so eager to betray.
We are simply much more subtle,
in our acts and what we say.

All of us are like Saint Peter,
three times willing to deny,
acting like we don't know Jesus.
"Cross my heart and hope to die.

Like the ones who crucified him,
we do not know what we do.
We now push new nails into him,
living lives that are untrue.

Let us, rather, be like Mary:
quick to serve; God's will to see.
Birthing grace, in love with Jesus.
"As you say, Lord, let it be."

(c) Jenni Lee Boyden and Rusty Edwards
June 2006 Pecos Benedictine Community, New Mexico

More about Rusty Edwards and Jenni Lee Boyden

Rusty Edwards' hymns have been published in Australia, Canada,China, England, Japan, New Zealand,Scotland, and USA. He is Senior Pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Marietta, Georgia, and was a Visiting Fellow of the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest. He is also an Oblate of the Pecos Benedictine Monastery in New Mexico, and was made an Honorary Citizen of Austin, Texas.

Jenni Lee Boyden is the Christian Education Educator at the Episcopal Day School at Pensacola, Florida. She is a graduate of the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest Certificate Programs for Christian Education. Her songs have been published in the USA and England.

Rusty and Jenni Lee are close to completion on a book of songs, entitled, BIDDEN, UNBIDDEN, to be published by Abingdon Press (Nashville). The majority of these songs are because of the blessing they have received from the Seminary of the Southwest, for which they will be forever grateful.

Email Jenni Lee Boyden -- Email Rusty Edwards