His glorious appearing

The saints in the Church on earth with gladness for Christ to come again;
The saints await the coming of the One who overcame the powers of sin.
O' blessed joy! Behold, that glorious day of the Savior's return is nearing;
The Church on earth awaits with great joy, his glorious appearing.

O' you saints, stand ready. Be alert and always be watchful for that day;
The Savior shall come on the clouds with his angels, dressed in bright array.
O' saints, Will you be ready? Behold, that great day is nearing;
Will you be found watchful and ready at his glorious appearing?

The heavens will open. All will see the Savior's coming on that great day;
He will come and make all things new. The old shall pass away.
Let the saints prepare their hearts, for the day is fast nearing;
Let all look for the Savior and be joyful at his glorious appearing.

The Savior has promised that he will return with all power and glory;
Until then, let the saints go forth and tell all his sacred story.
The Church stands ready and waiting because the day is fast nearing;
Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!Your saints await your glorious appearing.

-Michael Carter

From the book: Songs of my soul By Michael Carter
2009 Lulu.com

Master, I will reach out my hand.

Master, I will reach out my hand. Dear Savior, I need to take hold of you;
Savior, I need you to abide with me. Guide all that I say and do.
Savior, the journey sometimes seems long, and the days dark and dreary.
At times, I grow weak. At times, I have grown weary.

Master, I need strength, for there are many struggles that I face;
I am daily pressed down, and need your restoring grace.
The evil foe gives me no peace. Daily he attacks and torments my soul;
He throws obstacles along the path to turn from the heavenly goal.

Master, in this world of sin, there are many conflicting messages I hear;
They trouble my soul. I trust in you, and will have no fear.
Master, I need to be reminded that your blood was shed for my sin;
Through faith in you, I have perfect peace without end.

Master, I will reach out my hand. Let your love and peace enfold me;
When I feel weak and about to fall, reach down and uphold me.
Help me through this journey to remain steadfast and not turn away;
Master be present through this journey. Be my strength for each day.

-Michael Carter

From the collection:The Pilgrim's Journey by Michael Carter.
Due out this year through Lulu.com

Lord, in Your mercy

Lord God, I come to your holy table to seek comfort for my troubled heart;
I come, O' Lord, seeking the sacrament which offers the peace you impart.
Dear God, I ask for forgiveness, and I place my life into your care;
Lord God, in your mercy, look down upon me, and hear my prayer.

I confess to you my sins and all that I've done and left undone;
I do not trust in my merits, but I cling to the merits of your dear Son.
Lord Jesus, through the Word and sacrament, strengthen me in my despair;
Lord Jesus, continue to remain with me, and in your mercy, hear my prayer.

Through the Word and sacrament, give me the strength that I need each day;
With your abiding presence O' Lord, guide me along life's hard way.
Help me to always believe and never to doubt. I place myself into your care;
Stay with me Lord. Walk with me, and in your mercy, hear my prayer.

-Michael Carter

From the book: The Triumph of the Christ
By Michael Carter. Available through Lulu.com

All praise be to Jesus Christ!

All praise be to Jesus Christ, who is the source of life and salvation;
He is the Rock upon which the Church is built. He is the true foundation.
The Church stands on the doctrine of the Apostles, with Christ the Cornerstone;
The Scriptures teach that salvation is found through faith in Christ alone.

Christ is the fulfillment of the Father's promise of salvation he made;
Through the sacrifice of Christ, the debt and punishment for sin was paid.
The Son came from heaven and took on flesh to undo the First Adam's sin;
He came to destroy the power of sin, and to bring the devil's reign to an end.

All praise and thanks be to Christ, the promise of the Father to fulfill;
He was the second Adam. The obedient Son, who came to do his Father's will.
He did not come with pomp and power, but was born of humble birth;
He took our form and came down to dwell with all who live on the earth.

The mighty King laid aside his crown and suffered and died in our place;
He bore the cross, suffered and died, to save us by his grace.
Though he suffered and died; in victory he was raised up from the dead;
The devil bruised his heel, but the victorious Christ crushed his head.

Christ the Victor ascended to heaven and is seated upon heaven's throne;
The saints in heaven and on earth give all praise and honor to him alone.
He has given His Church Spirit. Through the Spirit, the Church will endure;
May the Church remain faithful to the Lord, and keep it's doctrine pure.

The Lord is forever faithful, and with his holy Church, he shall abide;
His Spirit is always present to build, uphold, and to guide.
The Lord feeds his people with both Word and Sacrament to comfort the soul;
The Spirit points always to Christ, and points to the heavenly goal.

When this pilgrim journey is over, we'll join him in the Kingdom above;
With the sacred assembly, we'll joyfully sing of his grace and love.
Yes, we'll stand with that blessed assembly and we'll shout and sing;
"All praise be to Jesus Christ, our great Lord and King!"

Now to Him, the blessed Lord who in victory rose up from the grave;
To Jesus Christ, who by his grace, came to redeem and to save;
Be all honor given, along with the Father and Spirit, through all eternity;
Praise, O' praise be given forever to the blessed Holy Trinity.

-Michael Carter

From the book:Songs of my Soul
2009. By Michael Carter