Tag: Worship

This Our Hymn of Grateful Praise

On By BrianIn Sermon Songs

This past Sunday, our church praised God for 250 years of freedom in America. For the occasion I adapted the hymn “For the Beauty of the Earth” with new verses focused on the blessings God has given to our country. Verse 1 and the refrain are from the original hymn by Folliott S. Pierpoint. Verses 2-6 are new, thanking God for our land, provisions, and many freedoms. Lord of all to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise!

For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies
For the love which from our birth,
over and around us lies
Lord of all to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise

For the beauty of our land,
Towering mountains, plains and trees
Rivers, lakes and coastal sand,
Flow’ring meadows, buzzing bees
Lord of all to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise

For your provident bounty,
Homes and clothes, abundant food
For our opportunity,
Jobs to earn, enjoy such good
Lord of all to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise

For the noble chance to give,
To those in need with much less
For the simple chance to live,
In a land that God has blessed
Lord of all to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise

For the right we have to choose,
Those who lead our free country
And whether we win or lose,
Work as one for liberty
Lord of all to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise

For our freedoms one by one,
To assemble and free press
Free speech and free religion,
For them all our God we bless
Lord of all to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise

Verse 1 & Refrain by Folliot S. Pierpoint
New Verses 2-6 by Brian J. Mikul
To the tune of “For the Beauty of the Earth”
Copyright 2026 Brian J. Mikul.

Feel free to use this hymn with proper acknowledgements.

Sermon Songs: Hebrews 13:20-25

On By BrianIn Hebrews Hymns

God raised from the dead our Lord Jesus
Our great Shepherd is with us each day
God’s Law is written deep within us
May God equip us to walk His way

Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son

This exhortation may we receive
Look to Jesus as we run our race
Jesus is better – may we believe
And let us walk in His saving grace
(Repeat Chorus)

© 2023 Brian J. Mikul

(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)

Sermon Songs: Hebrews 13:8-16

On By BrianIn Hebrews Hymns

Do not follow strange, diverse doctrines
That subtract from or add to Jesus
He died to cleanse us from all our sins
He’s all we need – just stick with Jesus

Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son

Behold the sacrifice of Jesus
For Him will we gladly do the same?
He has prepared a city for us
So to all do good and praise His name
(Repeat Chorus)

© 2023 Brian J. Mikul

(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)

Sermon Songs: Hebrews 13:7-8, 17-19

On By BrianIn Hebrews Hymns

Hear your leaders speak God’s Word to you
Their faith and life, imitate each day
Pray for them as they watch over you
Follow them as they show forth Christ’s way

Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son

© 2023 Brian J. Mikul

(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)

Sermon Songs: Hebrews 13:1-6

On By BrianIn Hebrews Hymns

Jesus has made us a family
Love each other in practical ways
Honor marriage, flee adultery
Don’t live for money or things today

Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son

Our God will never, never leave us
He is the source of ev’ry good thing
So we can share what God gives to us
We need not fear for we know the King
(Repeat Chorus)

© 2023 Brian J. Mikul

(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)

Sermon Songs: Hebrews 12:18-29

On By BrianIn Hebrews Hymns

We do not come to what we can see
We do not need to hang back in fear
From our guilt Jesus has set us free
And He invites us to now draw near

Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son

When we draw near in worship and prayer
We come to God’s heavenly city
With God’s people and the angels there
Jesus whose blood cleanses you and me
(Repeat Chorus)

And in the center – behold our God
For we have come into His presence
Offer Him gratitude, honor, laud
Worship Him with awe and reverence
(Repeat Chorus)

© 2023 Brian J. Mikul

(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)

Sermon Songs: Hebrews 12:4-17

On By BrianIn Hebrews Hymns

Resist and lay aside ev’ry sin
Struggle and fight, grow in righteousness
Submit yourself to God’s discipline
That you might share in His holiness

Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son

God disciplines His daughters and sons
For our own good, with wisdom and love
Training is hard, but when it’s all done
We shall be changed, and see Him above
(Repeat Chorus)

So strive for peace and real holiness
Watch over each other lest we stray
Beware of the root of bitterness
Your birthright don’t lightly toss away
(Repeat Chorus)

© 2023 Brian J. Mikul

(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)

Sermon Songs: Hebrews 12:1-4

On By BrianIn Hebrews Hymns

We must run with endurance this race
With faith in God and His promises
Trusting God daily, we’ll keep the pace
Resting each hour in His faithfulness

Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son

We must run this race with endurance
Looking ahead to the finish line
Laying aside ev’ry hinderance
Entangling sin that would slow, confine
(Repeat Chorus)

We must this race with endurance run
Gaze on the cross and His suffering
He looked to the future joy and won
We follow Him, our Savior and King
(Repeat Chorus)

© 2023 Brian J. Mikul

(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)

Sermon Songs: Hebrews 11:29-40

On By BrianIn Hebrews Hymns

By faith, we are saved from all our sins
There is no longer judgment to fear
Through His death Jesus our pardon wins
Fully forgiven, we now draw near

Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son

By faith, we follow our Lord always
Trusting Him through the good and the bad
He is with us to help us each day
One day we’ll rise, be forever glad
(Repeat Chorus)

© 2023 Brian J. Mikul

(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)

Sermon Songs: Hebrews 11:23-28

On By BrianIn Hebrews Hymns

Faith in God’s promises gives courage
To follow Christ in His suffering
Fleeing sin and the gods of this age
Trusting God’s presence and soon coming

Chorus
Fast, Fast, Hold fast
Hold fast to Jesus the Better One
Near, Near, Draw Near
Draw near to God through His only Son

© 2023 Brian J. Mikul

(Sing to tune of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin”)