O Gracious God, Whose Constant Care

Above:  Sunlight

Image in the Public Domain

Hymn Source = New Worship and Song (1942), Congregational Christian Churches (U.S.A.)

Text (1930), the Harry Thomas Stock (1891-1958). for a vesper service at a summer youth conference; published in The Congregationalist in the issue of February 12, 1931

Stock was a U.S. Congregationalist then (after the merger) Congregational Christian minister active in the institutional life of both denominations.  He also taught church history at Chicago Theological Seminary (1917-1922) and was deeply involved in the Christian education of young people.  Stock also received D.D. degrees from Piedmont College (1931), Knox College (1939), and Chicago Theological Seminary (1940).  From 1938 to 1958 Stock served as the General Secretary of the Division of Christian Education of the Board of Home Missions of the Congregational Christian Churches.

 This was the only hymn he wrote.

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O gracious God, whose constant care

Supplies our golden days,

Whose joyous fellowship we share

At work, at rest, in play and prayer–

Accept our heart-felt praise.

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We thank thee, Father, for each word,

Each thought, revealing truth;

For prophet voices gladly heard,

For daring dreams, for friends who stirred

The fragile wills of youth.

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Companion of our vesper hour,

Renew in us each day

Our lofty purpose, grant us power

That worthy thoughts in deeds may flower,

In Christlike lives, we pray.

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Surround us through temptation’s maze

When artful foes assail;

Help us a peaceful path to blaze,

To lead mankind in nobler ways,

Give strength–we would not fail!