Given Grace Grows the Church
by Michael Doyle

Jews and Gentiles - we are one family,
Worshipping our Lord in the sanctuary.
Each of us lives, and sometimes we sin.
We find comfort in having God as our friend.

Grace is the undeserved love we are given
As each of us comes to faith and is forgiven.
Repentant, we return to a rightful relationship
And find our place again in atoning worship.

Restraining our freedoms in terms of love,
We think of our family as loved from above.
Though legally we are allowed, sometimes we wouldn't.
It's not that we can't, but as believers, we shouldn't.

The strong should bear with others' weaknesses,
Not in pride, but in our god fearing meekness.
Ours is to support those around to be lifted to victory.
In doing so, we bring praise to our God's family.

The base of things is not just about sin,
But we hold each other in honor as we begin.
Side by side, we live this world in our stride,
And in love, while holding up our team without pride.

Church is a refuge for the walking wounded,
Providing a place to be allowed and included,
Accepting each other as servants to the promises made.
We walk the world boldly, no longer afraid.

Instead of the worst, let's try to believe the best,
In all that our team does to hopefully pass the test.
Above all things that we have ever learned
It is that trust given is God's ways discerned.

May it be that the practice of grace served
Will bring about more godly love than deserved.
Let's emphasize things that bring us redemption,
And keep God's path in our steady contemplation.

We are each children of God seeking to do right.
We need to believe this of each of us and hold on tight,
Believing the best of the church in living out grace,
So that in reaching for faith, it is peace we will embrace.

In living this trust among us, we throw out a rescue rope.
We live the benediction stressing our living hope.
Lessons learned in a world of brokenness and despair
Is the hope that God, through us, can somehow repair.

At the foot of the cross, Jesus prayed for all believers
That we not lose our way and fall before our deceivers.
But instead that we unify and as God's family become one
In the name of the Father, the Spirit, and the Son.

(c) October 19, 2025   Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved