Alas

Alas (lyrics of a song to the tune Greensleeves)
Pentecost 14; Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28; 1 Timothy 1:1-2, 12-19a; Luke 15:1-10
Alas, O God, we do you wrong
to cast you off discourteously,
for you have loved our world so long,
delighting in our company.
Mend, mend our disgraceful ways,
vain displays of fame and wealth.
Bend, bend our reluctant knees
to touch the hurt Earth and seek health.

See how the powers of evil grow
and good is lost where greed holds sway.
The Earth is bare, the birds have fled
and foolish people go astray.
Here, here we forget to pray
Wisdom’s guide we sorely lack.
Where, where is the One who cares,
who sees that the lost are brought back?

Paul tells of how he changed his ways
from violent acts of unbelief.
His gratitude to Jesus shows
how faith and love brought him relief.
Grace, grace of the Lord is here;
turn us round and make us strong!
Peace, peace of the Lord we need
to soften our hearts to mend wrong.

The shepherd who retrieves the lost
will call his friends to celebrate.
The woman searches carefully
and finds her lost coin. Her joy is great.
Sing, sing with the angel choirs;
souls return who went astray!
Bring, bring us to that resolve
where care and respect bring new day.
	Barbara Messner 11/09/2025