O praise the gracious power

O praise the gracious power. Thomas Troeger* (1945-2022). This is the first hymn in Troeger’s New Hymns for the Lectionary: to Glorify the Maker’s Name (New York and Oxford, 1986), reprinted in Borrowed Light (1994). It was written for the ordination of the Revd Judith Ray, and also for the Feast of the Holy Cross. The tune by Carol Doran* is entitled CHRISTPRAISE RAY. The hymn is based on Ephesians 2: 11-22, with its reconciling of Jew and Gentile, and the breaking down of barriers. This is the burden of the refrain, which follows the seven Short Metre verses: We praise you, Christ! Your cross has made us one! The hymn is an effective assertion of the power of the Holy Spirit, most...