On Sunday, June 16, 2013 (Father’s Day), the Chamber Ensemble of Minneapolis’ Westminster Presbyterian Church sang the moving and well-known “Just As I Am.” Here are the lyrics:
- Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come. - Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come. - Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come. - Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come. - Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come. - Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Hath broken every barrier down;
Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
The lyrics were written by Charlotte Elliott (1789-1871), an English poet and hymn writer. Because of medical problems, she was confined to home and unable to attend her church (the Church of England). In spite of being raised in a Christian home, she had conflicts and doubts about her faith and was unsure of her relationship with Christ, but she was moved in 1834-35 to write these words of assurance about Jesus’ loving her just as she was. This is but one of 150 hymns that she wrote. It was used as the hymn for alter calls in Billy Graham crusades.
The melody for this hymn was composed by William Bradbury (1816-1868), a U.S. musician and composer of many hymn melodies. The arrangement that was sung at Westminster was by Rev. C. G. (Sonny) Walden, III, a minister of music at United Methodist Churches in Georgia and an active conductor, teacher, singer and award-winning composer.
The bulletin for this worship service and audio and video recordings of the service are available online.