Take My Life and Let It Be

There were a variety of things going on last week. Things that kept me away. However, one of them was fun to do. Our church has an annual art festival in August. On Sunday, after the Lord's Supper, while they were taking the benevolent offering, I had an inspiration. I felt compelled to create a photo collage series to go with the hymn Take My Life and Let it Be.

For some reason (perhaps, God's prompting), I decided I should do it with a woman who was sitting a few rows behind me. She is an art teacher and a skilled calligrapher. I am not sure why it mattered to me but I want the hymn hand-written rather than printed in a pretty font.

I approached Lauri after church and she agreed to collaborate with me. We created an album featuring a photo on one side of a two-page layout and a collage on the other side with her calligraphy in the center of the collage. The entire album was done in black and white including the collage. It turned out nicely. After the show, I will photograph the pages. Until then here are some of the photos and out-takes and the words to the hymn.

Take my life and let it be
Consecrated Lord to thee


Take my hands and let them move


At the impulse of Thy love
At the impulse of Thy love

Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee


Take my voice and let me sing
Always only for my King
Always only for my King


Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages for Thee


Take my silver and my gold
Not a mite would I withhold
Not a mite would I withhold


Take my love, my God I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store

Take myself and I will be
Ever only all for Thee
Ever only all for Thee


Take my life and let it be
Consecrated Lord to Thee
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee
Ever, only, all for Thee



Copyright © 1874 Public Domain

Notes:
Words by Frances R Havergal (1874), music by Henry Malan (1823)

I couldn't find the version of the hymn, which we used, on the internet. It has verses about taking my intellect (which we used that ubiquitous eye shot of mine) and a verse about 'taking my moments and days.' The verse with the moments and days was paired with the photo below.