HYMNS FROM HOME: HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW W/ WE ADORE THEE

PRAY
Lord, we truly do adore you, Creator of all things from the vast heavens to the tiniest sparrow.  Whenever we are tempted or our heart is troubled, may we remember that you, who causes the sun to rise, unwearied, day by day, watch over each of us.

LYRICS
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His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely
and long for heaven and home,
when Jesus is my portion?
My constant friend is he:
his eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me;
his eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me.

I sing because I’m happy,
I sing because I’m free,
for his eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,”
his tender word I hear, 
and resting on his goodness,
I lose my doubts and fears;
though by the path he leadeth
but one step I may see:
his eye is on the sparrow, 
and I know he watches me;
his eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me. 

Whenever I am tempted,
whenever clouds arise,
when song gives place to sighing,
when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to him;
from care he sets me free:
his eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me;
his eye is on the sparrow,
and I know he watches me.

We Adore Thee

The spacious firmament on high,
with all the blue ethereal sky,
and spangled heavens, a shining frame,
their great Original proclaim.
The unwearied sun from day to day
does his Creator's power display,
and publishes to every land
the work of an almighty hand.

Singing all together 
We Adore Thee, God of Glory
all around the hallelujahs ring

Singing all together 
We Adore Thee, God of Glory
​all around the hallelujahs ring

Soon as the evening shades prevail
the moon takes up the wondrous tale,
and nightly to the listening earth
repeats the story of her birth;
whilst all the stars that round her burn,
and all the planets in their turn,
confirm the tidings, as they roll,
and spread the truth from pole to pole.

What though in solemn silence all
move round the dark terrestrial ball;
what though nor real voice nor sound
amid their radiant orbs be found;
in reason's ear they all rejoice,
and utter forth a glorious voice,
for ever singing as they shine,
'The hand that made us is divine.

To you alone we give thanks and rejoice,
we join the moon and stars together in one voice

SCRIPTURE
Psalm 84

BACKGROUND

The lyric for "His Eye is on the Sparrow" was penned by Civilla D. Martin, or C.D. as she often signed her work.  Although her second husband, a traveling minister, often composed the music for her many hymn compositions, it was Charles H. Gabriel who composed the hymn tune "SPARROW" that accompanies her now famous lyrics.  Gabriel also composed other well known hymn tunes such as "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" and "Crown Him With Many Crowns."

In the year 1712, Joseph Addison wrote lyrics to a hymn known as "Of The Glory Of God In The Starry Heavens" initially set to a tune by famous classical composer Franz Joseph Haydn.  Centuries later thanks to a penchant for collecting old hymnals and a confidence that lyrics such as "the spacious firmament on high" could coexist with modern congregations and praise bands with electric guitars, Carmen D'Arcy Stanczykiewicz composed a new hymn setting and also added a chorus and bridge that seamlessly declare the original authors' wonder and adoration of our great Creator God.  Carmen and her husband have 4 children and she currently serves as the Worship Pastor for East 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, IN.
**in the lyrics listed above, non underlined lyrics are the original hymn, and underlined lyrics were added by Ms. Stanczykiewicz.

PERSONAL

I spent the majority of my growing up in a tiny Southern Baptist church in the middle of cow pasture land in Texas. It was the kind of place that encouraged me to grow in every way: not only did I do my first musical "solos" there, but I was also baptised there one Sunday morning when I was 10.  If I close my eyes, I can still smell the combination of lysol and mustiness of my baptismal gown.  It was a safe sanctuary in all ways for me, and I'm grateful that among other things I learned a love for the hymns in that place.  Tonight's selection has a little bit of a that old Gospel flare to it that transports me right back in time and stills my soul.  
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I first met Carmen D'Arcy Stanczykiewicz at Christian Radio Broadcasters event in Nashville back in 2008.  Our first conversation was both accidental and 2+ hours long, which has continued to be on-brand for the rest of our friendship.  Proof that long-distance can not stand in the way of creativity, laughter and good ice cream, [her eldest daughter recently commented on the large amount of times I happened to be at her birthday parties growing up (Sorry, G!)] Carmen has graciously brought me along on many of her life adventures from CD release concerts to ladies brunches and even a couple job interviews...and then there was that one time that we played in a band where the bass player also happened to be running for President of the United States.

When I called Carmen to ask her to join in on this Hymns From Home project she didn't hesitate to jump in with both feet as she's consistently done with any crazy idea I've pitched her over the years.  And when she asked if I had planned to do "His Eye Is On The Sparrow," I almost cried.  Because if there was ever a message for hope in this season, it is surely that if His eye is on the sparrow, I know He watches me.