As Jesus Faced the Council

Words: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, 2015
Music: tune, ST. CHRISTOPHER, by Frederick Charles Maker, 1881
Topics: Passion; Holy Week; betrayal; denial; Peter; Scriptures: Matthew 26:57-75; Mark 14:53-72; Luke 22:54-71; John 18:15-27; Acts 2:14-40

This hymn by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette recounts the events of Holy Week following Jesus' arrest, with the Council charging Jesus with claiming to be "God's chosen one," and later events surrounding Peter's denial of having known Jesus. The hymn ends with the prayer that when we also deny Christ, we also remember that we are bound to Christ and follow him. The hymn was composed at the request of United Methodist Bishop Peggy Johnson.

"As Jesus Faced the Council" (Sibelius)

"As Jesus Faced the Council" (pdf)