Ode to the Feet of Jesus

by Denise Retzlaff

FLAWLESS HEAVEN FEET: Before your skin felt earth’s hard crust, You walked on carpets of stardust,
thru galaxies You leapt so high, and danced with stars that twinkled nigh.
Even the universe knew so well, each micro atom seemed compelled
to bow in praise, to be so laced, with you, my Lord, in OuterSpace.
We must sing Alleluia too, for feet that carried them to you.

TINY PRENATAL FEET: Before your first kick in Mary’s womb, You walked through heaven’s garden blooms, imagining your human form, even the foreboding storms.
You must had thoughts of good and bad; Your Father’s plan, so ironclad.
YET, You too leapt at Mary’s “YES”, the Virgin Mother would, us bless.
We must sing Alleluia too, for feet that carried us to you.

SOFT INFANT FEET: Before your just-born feet felt hay, in manger cold, heard donkey’s neigh; the shepherds watched their sheep that night, til angels lit that sky so bright.
Your newborn self, then swaddled warm, when sheep and shepherds, manger stormed
to praise the King Emmanuel, who came to earth with us to dwell.
We must sing Alleluia too, for feet that carried us to you!

GROWING CHILD’s FEET: Before your feet walked desert sand, to heal the sick, or lend a hand, They stood in splintering sawdust frayed, beside “dad” Joseph to learn the trade.
Then hiked to preach the Word, good news; but first were dipped with Jordan’s queues.
Before you walked on solid water, You called us all Your sons and daughters!
We must sing Alleluia too, for feet that carried us to you!

ANNOINTED HOLY FEET: Before Your tired feet were carressed by Mary’s hair, perfumed, anointment filled the air…
like prayers that rise to heights unknown, to God who sits on heaven’s throne.
Before you washed Your apostle’s feet, the Passover Supper you must eat.
We need some faith that you are God, to believe AND trust AND bow in AWE….AND
We must sing Alleluia too, for feet that carried us to you!

BAREFOOT BRUISED FEET: Before your feet trudged before the crowd, blood-hungry mouths, with shouts so loud – to crucify – from sinners proud.
Condemned to death, the sentence cruel, though mercy now would overrule.
Barefoot amidst the tortured climb, shredded, bruised yet so sublime.
Before skinned feet were pierced with nails, they stumbled on the rocky trail
to Calvary, they made their way, to save us for eternal Days!
We must sing Alleluia too, for THESE feet have carried us to you!!

RISEN GLORIOUS FEET: Before blood dried on lifeless flesh,
the tomb sealed tightly swaddled feet, its creche.
God’s plan complete – prophets declared; Christ was raised, our salvation prepared.
On wooden cross, He did defeat, sin’s evil power and deceit.
• Before Your feet bolted from death’s dark tomb,you gave us all a choice to bloom:
to walk your path with humble feet,
• to leap for joy with hopeful feet,
• to follow close with faithful feet, and,
• to give You our ALL with Loving feet
We must sing Alleluia too, for THESE Feet have carried us to you!!

April 2024 Song List

April 7, 2024 – Divine Mercy Sunday

  • Prelude:  The Commission
  • Open: I Know That My Redeemer Lives – J 556
  • Gifts: Eye Has Not Seen
  • Communion: Remembrance of You
  • End: Lord of the Dance – J 636

April 14, 2024 – 3rd Sunday of Easter

  • Prelude: Speak to the Mountains
  • Open: This Is the Day
  • Gifts: Three Days – J 406
  • Pre-Communion: Remembrance of You
  • Communion: I Am the Bread of Life
  • End: Resucito/He Is Risen – J 404

April 21, 2024 – 4th Sunday of Easter

  • Prelude: Forever
  • Open: Like a Shepherd
  • Gifts: Shepherd Me, O Lord
  • Pre-Communion: Remembrance of You
  • Communion: Behold the Lamb – J 386
  • End: Let Heaven Rejoice – 412

April 28, 2024 – 5th Sunday of Easter

  • Prelude:  Easter Hallelujah
  • Open: Sing a New Song – J 598
  • Gifts: We Have Been Told
  • Pre-Communion: Remembrance of You
  • Communion: Worthy Is the Lamb J – 754
  • End: The King of Glory – J 470

March 2024 Song List

March 3, 2024 – 3rd Sunday of Lent

  • Prelude: I Will Rise
  • Open: Seek the Lord – J 531
  • Gifts: Open My Eyes – J 659
  • Pre Communion: Remembrance of You
  • Communion: Save Us O Lord – J 528
  • End: Jesus Remember Me

March 10, 2024 – 4th Sunday of Lent

  • Prelude: Go Light Your World
  • Open: In These Days of Lenten Journey – J 362
  • Gifts: You Alone – J 581
  • Communion: We Remember – C 438
  • End: Jesus Remember Me

March 17, 2024 – 5th Sunday of Lent

  • Prelude: Above All
  • Open: Forty Days and Forty Nights – J 350
  • Gifts: Eye Has Not Seen – C 469
  • Pre Communion: Remembrance of You
  • Communion: I am the Bread of Life
  • End: Jesus Remember Me

March 24, 2024 – Palm Sunday

  • Prelude: Alabaster Box
  • Open: All Glory Laud & Honor – J 366
  • Gifts: Were You There – J 385
  • Pre Communion: Remembrance of You
  • Communion: Cup of Life Outpoured
  • End: Jesus Remember Me

March 31, 2024 – Easter Sunday

  • Prelude: Worthy is the Lamb
  • Prelude: Resurrecting
  • Open: Jesus Christ Is Risen Today – J 401
  • Gifts: Baptized in Water – J 516
  • Pre Communion: Alleluia, Alleluia – J 415
  • Communion: Roll Away the Stone
  • End: Resucito/He Is Risen – J 404

February 2024 Song List

February 4, 2024 – 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

  • Prelude: Healer by Kari Jobe 
  • Open: Come Now is the Time to Worship
  • Gifts: You are the Healing
  • Communion: We Remember – C 438
  • End: Our God is Here – J 711

February 11, 2024 – 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

  • Prelude: Never Walk Alone by Hope Darst
  • Open: God is Love – J 723
  • Gifts: Age to Age – J 670
  • Communion: Your Words are Spirit and Life – J 644
  • End: With One Voice – J 814

February 14, 2024 – Ash Wednesday

  • Prelude: Be Still and Know
  • Open: Open My Eyes – J 659
  • Ashes: With These Ashes – J 341 | Ashes – J 339
  • Gifts: Hosea – J 529
  • Pre Communion: Remembrance of You
  • Communion: Turn to Me – J 345
  • End: Jesus Remember Me

February 18, 2024 – 1st Sunday of Lent

  • Prelude: Into the Desert
  • Open: Forty Days and Forty Nights – J 350
  • Gifts: Beyond the Moon and Stars
  • Pre Communion: Remembrance of You
  • Communion: Beyond The Days – J 360
  • End: Jesus Remember Me

February 25, 2024 – 2nd Sunday of Lent

  • Prelude: Let Them See You in Me
  • Open: I Have Loved You – J 623
  • Gifts: Save Your People – J 364
  • Pre Communion: Remembrance of You
  • Communion: Transfigure Us O Lord – J 726
  • End: Jesus Remember Me